BCFC graduate Poissant staying humble amid push for starting job with B.C. Lions

His departure means the stable of starting receivers – Canadians Justin McInnis and Jevon Cottoy, along with Americans Keon Hatcher and Stanley Berryhill – has room for one.

The Canadian receivers at training camp in Kamloops this month – Poissant, Nate Demontagnac, Nick Cenacle and Hergy Mayala – are well-positioned to make a run at the job.

“I think it starts from the fact they want to give themselves every opportunity to improve along on the offensive line,” TSN broadcaster Farhan Lalji told CFJC Sports. “You’re seeing them play four American offensive linemen through the early stages of camp. The only way to do that is to get another Canadian on the field elsewhere. Getting a third Canadian starting receiver might be that. It looks so far like Kieran Poissant, the former junior football player, is probably going to get that first opportunity. They drafted Nate Demontagnac really high. Once he gets fully healthy, he’ll get an opportunity to compete there, as well.”

Poissant, a former Westshore Rebels’ standout, graduated from the Lions’ practice roster in 2024 and played in 11 games with the CFL club that year.

“Last year was big special teams progression,” said Poissant, who stands six feet tall and weighs 175 pounds. “I wanted to get better at special teams. I wanted to learn and that’s what I did. That allowed me to be more valuable to the team.”

The sixth receiver last year, Poissant played in 16 games, catching six passes for 55 yards.

“He’s an amazing player and person,” Poissant said of Eberhardt. “I learned a ton from him and I’m extremely grateful for that. With his departure, somebody has to fill the spot.”

Lions receivers’ coach Kevin Bourgoin said Poissant is tough and boasts a strong work ethic.

“My expectation is he’s just going to keep on getting better and better with the more plays and reps he gets,” Bourgoin said.

Demontagnac, hampered by minor injury in the early stages of camp, said he is embracing the pressure that comes along with knowing his every move is fair game for analysis.

“Pressure is a privilege,” said Demontagnac, the 6-foot-2, 186-pound Mississauga, Ont., product who caught 38 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns last year with North Dakota. “That means I have expectations I want to meet. The thing that’s been working for me is just trying to be myself, be consistent. If I do those two things, I feel like I’ll be really happy with the results.”

Bourgoin said Demontagnac is intelligent and capable of playing in multiple positions.

“He’s long, with really good hands and good feet, so he can get in and out of cuts and breaks,” Bourgoin said. “His consistency, as far as bringing it from meetings to the game field, has been really good for a rookie.”

Hatcher offered advice for the prospective starters: “Learn the offence, learn the playbook, make minimal mental errors and make those plays when they come your way.”

Training camp is scheduled to resume on Thursday, with practice running from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Hillside Stadium.

by Marty Hastings

BCFC graduate Poissant staying humble amid push for starting job with B.C. Lions

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