By Canadian Press

Grey Cup-champion Redblacks re-sign defensive back Antoine Pruneau

Dec 14, 2016 | 9:33 AM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks signed Canadian defensive back Antoine Pruneau to a two-year contract extension Wednesday.

The deal keeps the Montreal native with the CFL club through the 2018 season.

Pruneau, Ottawa’s first-round pick in 2014, helped the Redblacks capture the Grey Cup last season, registering 58 tackles, 11 special-teams tackles, an interception and sack.

The six-foot 200-pounder had 68 tackles for the club as a rookie out of the University of Montreal.

Ottawa secured its first Grey Cup crown since 1976 with a 39-33 overtime victory over favoured Calgary on Nov. 27 at BMO Field. The Stampeders posted a CFL-best 15-2-1 record during the regular season while the Redblacks finished atop the East Division with an 8-9-1 mark.

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“What we’ve accomplished in three years is amazing and I’m very happy to remain a part of this,” said Pruneau. “We have a lot of great things in front of us with the Grey Cup coming to Ottawa in 2017, we have a great group of players and excellent coaches.

“It’s an exciting time for Ottawa football.”

Pruneau, 27, becomes the third Redblacks player to receive an extension this off-season after offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers and defensive lineman Connor Williams.

“We’re pleased to have Antoine return to the Redblacks for two additional seasons,” said GM Marcel Desjardins. “He has proven to be one of the top defensive and special-team players in the league since his early days in the CFL.

“His development as a player has paralleled the maturity of our organization and that is not a coincidence.”

The Canadian Press