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Valley Huskers sign Canada West all-star Marcel Arruda-Welch

The dynamic return man/defensive back is joining the B.C. Football Conference team in 2019.
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The Valley Huskers had the top return man in the B.C. Football Conference last season with Brandon Poulin, and head coach Bob Reist hopes to make it two in a row with the signing of Marcel Arruda-Welch.

The junior football club continues to tap into the Manitoba pipeline, bringing in another University of Manitoba Bison.

Arruda-Welch ran back 19 kickoffs for 249 yards in 2018, including a 77 yarder against the Alberta Golden Bears. He fielded 20 punts for the Bisons, returning them for 429 yards, including a 93 yarder against the Saskatchewan Huskies.

Arruda-Welch also played defensive back and was among the Bisons team leaders in solo tackles (26) and pass breakups (five).

He earned Canada West all-star status as a return man and a defensive back, and Reist feels great about landing the Winnipeg native and graduate of Garden City Collegiate.

“Marcel has the ability to impact the BCFC like some of the league greats,” the coach noted. “He will bring excitement to both sides of the ball and is an elite returner.

“Our fans will really enjoy watching Marcel play.”

Making another move to bolster the Husker D, Reist has signed six-foot-four and 255 pound pass rusher Tyrece Viner-Cox.

Another Manitoba native, Viner-Cox played U-Sports football with the Calgary Dinos and represented Canada at the 2018 World Junior Championship in Mexico.

“Ty is an incredible athlete and we are looking for him to make an immediate impact,” Reist said. “He is a huge addition to our defensive front.”



Eric Welsh

About the Author: Eric Welsh

I joined the Chilliwack Progress in 2007, originally hired as a sports reporter.
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