Courtesy Calgary Herald:

Unless something changes drastically, Calgary Stampeders practices will be open to the public and the media next week, said coach and general manager John Hufnagel.

The Stamps rankled local media types this week by closing their practices — with the exception of brief windows at the beginning and the end — in preparation for Thursday’s Canadian Football League season opener against the B.C. Lions.

Hufnagel justified the decision on Sunday by saying it’s the one opportunity in a season for his team to surprise an opponent because there isn’t any game film available, apart from the pre-season games, although he reserved the right to do it again during the season.

“It’s going to be a one-time thing,” said Hufnagel. “If it happens again, I’m sure there would be a right reason to do it. But after this game, everyone is going to know what’s going on. So I don’t project it to be anything more.”

On Monday, the CFL manager of communications, Jamie Dykstra, said the team was not violating the league’s media policy, which states: “Each club will provide media with a minimum of 20 minutes to observe practices. Teams have the right to close practices at all times outside of this minimum period.”

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