Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive lineman Noah Zerr was always questioned when he played sports as a child.
Zerr told the SportsCage. "I think I was six-foot-five on skates... I made up for it with my lack of coordination and my overall hockey skills, so they didn't have too much to worry about."
When Zerr played hockey at a younger age, his coaches wanted to use his size to the team's advantage.
"That was pretty much every coach I've ever had teaching point," Zerr detailed. "Park right in front of the net, don't go anywhere, don't do anything else."
The Langenburg, Saskatchewan native is six-foot-seven and has a hard time finding a hockey stick that fits his height, but he makes it work.
"鈥嬧�婭 have a Bauer Total One that I bought when I was in grade 12 and it still works for me," Zerr said. "Honestly, I've had to put a plug in every stick I've ever used, and it still barely works."
Zerr will participate in this year's Riders Winter Classic, which takes place on February 1. This will be Zerr's second time in the event. Last year, Team Brett Lauther beat Team Chris Getzlaf 11-10 in a shootout.
Riders' receiver Ajou Ajou will coach Lauther’s team and Kian Schaffer-Baker will coach Getzlaf’s team this year.
"Honestly, I feel like it's hard to go wrong with either of them. They're both kind of raw-raw. They will get the boys hyped up and get them to go run through some faces and score some goals," Zerr said. "They both have great style. I'm sure one or two of them are going to be rocking amazing suits come game day."
According to Zerr, he does not know what team he is on. Last year, the Riders held a draft and the teams were picked.
"They usually do a fun draft announcement the night before," Zerr recalled. "Everything gets picked behind the scenes, then you show up and they announce the teams."
The Riders Winter Classic will be held at in Saskatoon on February 1. Prices for the event are as follows: If you are 13 years and older, one ticket costs $25, and if you are under 12 and accompanied by an adult, then admission is free. All proceeds go to the Roughrider Foundation's Win with Wellness presentation series.
Zerr spent his collegiate career at the University of Saskatchewan from 2016 to 2021. He was later selected by the B.C. Lions in the second round, 12th overall during the 2022 CFL Draft and played four games.The next year, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he played three games. He made his way to Saskatchewan in the 2024 season, where he played 11 games for the Green and White. In December, Zerr signed a one-year extension with the Roughriders to play the 2025 season.
