After dominating the CFL during the regular season, the Montreal Alouettes dominated the East Division all-star selections Wednesday.
The Alouettes, who posted a CFL-best 15-3 record, led all teams with 17 selections. Voting was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada, CFL head coaches and fans.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the CFL's outstanding player last year and a nominee for the award in 2009, led the way for Montreal on offence. Joining him were running back Avon Cobourne, receivers Ben Cahoon, Kerry Watkins and Jamel Richardson, centre Bryan Chiu, guard Scott Flory and tackle Josh Bourke.
Hamilton tackle Dan Goodspeed and receiver Arland Bruce III along with Winnipeg running back Fred Reid and offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte captured the other spots on offence.
Montreal sported the CFL's top-ranked defence and placed six players on the unit, including tackle Keron Williams, ends Anwar Stewart and John Bowman, linebacker Chip Cox, cornerback Mark Estelle and safety Mathieu Proulx.
Winnipeg had three players voted on to the defensive team: cornerback Jovon Johnson and defensive backs Lenny Walls and Jonathan Hefney. Also joining them were Hamilton linebackers Jamall Johnson and Markeith Knowlton.
Montreal swept the special-team nominations with Damon Duval capturing both the kicker and punter's positions. Larry Taylor claimed the special-teams spot.
The Toronto Argonauts were shut out.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders placed a team-high nine players on the West Division squad, not a surprise considering their first-place finish. But what was surprising was Riders quarterback Darian Durant getting the nod ahead of CFL passing leader Ricky Ray of Edmonton (4,916 yards) and Calgary's Henry Burris (4,896 yards), who was second overall. Durant finished fourth with 4,348 yards.
Other Riders named as all-stars included receiver Weston Dressler, tackle Gene Makowsky, centre Jeremy O'Day, defensive end Stevie Baggs, defensive tackle John Chick, linebackers Tad Kornegay and Sean Lucas and defensive back Lance Frazier.
CFL rushing leader Joffrey Reynolds (1,496 yards) topped the eight Calgary Stampeders named to the squad. Joining him are receiver Jeremaine Copeland, tackle Ben Archibald, guard Dimitri Tsoumpas, cornerbacks Dwight Anderson and Brandon Browner, kicker Sandro DeAngelis and punter Burke Dales.
Veteran receiver Geroy Simon was among seven BC Lions named. Rookie running back Martell Mallett, defensive tackle Aaron Hunt, linebacker Anton McKenzie, defensive back Korey Banks, special-teams dynamo Jason Arakgi and safety Barron Simpson, who led the CFL in interceptions, were the others.
CFL receiving leader Fred Stamps (85 catches, 1,402 yards, eight TDs) topped the three Edmonton Eskimos selected. Tackle Calvin Armstrong and defensive tackle Dario Romers were the others voted on to the squad.
The league all-stars will be unveiled Nov. 17.
