After spending the year learning from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and specifically from Winnipeg-product Brady Oliveira last season, Kaiden Banfield is hoping to get the opportunity to run it back this year.
Banfield was signed to the Bombers' practice roster last season following an injury on the second day of training camp, which put him on one of the wildest schedules a sports fan might ever see.
"I'd drive in at about 6:00 a.m., get there for meetings at 8:30 with the Bombers. After that, practice, which would finish around 2 p.m. Then, Rifles practice at 6:00 p.m. and that would be over at 9:00. Then I drove home, and it was pretty much that, every day."
Banfield adds that he's very grateful for the chance to learn from all the Bombers last season, and how it's impacted his game.
"It was a great experience, just being able to be there and learn from the other guys, the pros; how they take their day-to-day basis, what they do on their day-to-day routine, it's helped me improve my game and take it to the next level."
Banfield even had an opportunity to take in the Grey Cup with the team, and despite the loss, he says getting to be there was an experience that has allowed him to learn about the professional mindset.
"It was great. It wasn't really too much going out and doing stuff, but just how serious they took the game and just being able to take notes from that, see what it takes to get to that level."
As teams prepare for a new season to begin, camps are getting underway, and Banfield will be involved in two once again, training with both the Winnipeg Rifles of the Canadian Junior Football League, and Rookie Camp with the Blue Bombers.
The Rifles' Spring Camp began on Saturday, May 1, and he will join the Bombers' Rookie Camp on Tuesday, May 3.