Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Jeff Zelinski, who waited until the final round to be selected Wednesday’s CFL draft, can’t wait for training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Zelinski, a defensive back with the Saint Mary’s Huskies, was picked in the sixth round (40th overall) by the Roughriders. While it was difficult waiting for his name to be called, Zelinski is pleased to have an opportunity to attend the Riders training camp.

“It’s not really disappointing because at least I was drafted,” Zelinski said Monday from Halifax. “Now I get to stick around the whole training camp and I don’t take up a roster spot. That makes it very exciting.”

The Riders main camp starts June 1 at Mosaic Stadium. Zelinski, 25, should be in Regina for rookie camp, which is to be held before the main training camp in late May. A total of 48 players were selected Wednesday, including six by the Roughriders.

The other Riders picks were defensive end Keith Shologan (fourth overall), centre Jonathan St-Pierre (10th overall), defensive end Michael Stadnyk (14th overall), offensive tackle Jean-Francois Morin-Roberge (30th overall) and quarterback Teale Orban (41st overall). The Riders selected Zelinski with their fifth of six picks.

“I felt that I was better than where I got picked,” said Zelinski, who hails from Mission, B.C. “You can’t argue with that because it’s just a draft but now everyone has the same shot who was drafted. I can go out there and show them that I can play at that level. I’ve never been one to sit on the bench. I’ll go out there, play hard and show them what I can do.”

Zelinski, who is studying geology at Saint Mary’s, proved himself at the CIS level. He played corner for the Huskies and intercepted three passes in 2007. In 2007, Zelinski played in all eight regular-season games and three post-season encounters, including a 28-14 loss to the Manitoba Bisons in the Vanier Cup. Zelinski was selected a second-team CIS all-Canadian in 2007.

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