Ticats Make Big Statement Ahead of Trade Deadline With New Additions

There are two different types of teams that emerge during the trade deadline of any professional sports league; buyers and sellers.
The buyers are bold, acquiring key players capable of making an immediate impact to gear up for a long playoff run. The sellers are teams with bleak playoff hopes who look for trades that will benefit their future rather than the present.
When the clock struck on CFL trade deadline today at 3:59 p.m., the Ticats made it clear they were buyers.
On Monday, the Black and Gold picked up defensive end Justin Capicciotti and offensive lineman Xavier Fulton from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for defensive lineman Linden Gaydosh, receiver Tommy Streeter as well as a fourth and seventh round pick in the 2017 CFL draft.
“I think they’re a great fit in our locker room for sure,” said Ticats head coach Kent Austin. “They both have good reputations and they’re good football players. They make us a better football team.”
Capicciotti had a breakout season as a member of the Ottawa Redblacks in 2015, finishing with 12 sacks and earning East Division All Star honours. The 6’3, 235 lbs defensive end was considered one of the most skilled free agents on the market heading into the season before being scooped up by the Riders.
The Simon Fraser graduate played in all 14 games for Saskatchewan this season, registering 24 defensive tackles and two sacks.
The Toronto native says his family was happy about the trade because they can attend more games. Capicciotti confessed he was initially surprised about the move but is happy to be on a legitimate Grey Cup contender.
“At first, it’s just a shock,” said Capicciotti. “I knew I had to be here as soon as possible. I just thought of all the work I had to do to come here. Once that all settled down and I just thought about the football aspect of things, I was smiling and a happy guy.”
Capicciotti adds more talent to an already impressive defensive line and also improves the national depth of the Ticats roster. His biggest hurdle will be learning the Ticats terminology on defence but says he is catching on quickly.
“You’re asked to do similar things [team-to-team], but it might be called something differently,” said Capicciotti. “It’s just getting the terminology down and the playbook down. But the D-Line group is so good here that just getting thrown in here on day one, being able to have them on the field with me has helped me so much.”
The opposite side of the Ticats’ trenches also received a boost with the acquisition of Fulton. The 30-year old offensive lineman spent five seasons with the Riders, starting 75 games during that time.
Fulton admitted he was “blindsided” by the move and unaware that the trade deadline was just days away, but is happy to be donning the Black and Gold.
“It’s a nice, welcomed change,” said Fulton. “Especially last season, not going to the playoffs at all, it was pretty rough. It’s good to be on a team that’s in the right direction, knows how to win, and is already pretty established.”
Fulton says that he adds veteran experience to the Ticats lineup and is likely to see a lot of time on the offensive line.
The Ticats kick off a home-and-home series against the Ottawa Redblacks on Oct. 14 at Tim Hortons Field with huge playoff implications on the line. Just one point separates the second place Ticats and Ottawa Redblacks for top spot in the East Division, setting the stage for a first place showdown.
*Only a few hundred tickets remain for Friday’s game at Tim Hortons Field. Click here to secure your seats.