Saskatchewan Roughriders' receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker has had a busy offseason; one of his tasks has been recruiting.
Schaffer-Baker joked about on the SportsCage. "I'm definitely out there recruiting guys, telling them that this is the place they want to be if they want to win."
The Riders selected the six-foot-four, 195-pound receiver in the fourth round, 30th overall during the 2020 CFL Draft. Last season, he caught 52 passes for 735 yards and four touchdowns.
The Canadian Football League's free agent communication window starts Sunday, February 2 and concludes Sunday, February 9. Players with expiring contracts can talk with other teams prior to officially signing when free agency begins on Tuesday, February 11.
This offseason, the Green and White acquired quarterback Jake Maier in a trade with the Calgary Stampeders, sending an eighth-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft to Cowtown for his exclusive negotiating rights. Maier and the Roughriders agreed to a one-year contract for the 2025 season on January 9.
"I haven't talked to him too much, but I got a chance to throw with him when I was out in California one time," Schaffer-Baker recalled. "He's a phenomenal player, he's someone we're very excited to have. We've seen him win countless games in Calgary, so we're excited for what's coming."
Schaffer-Baker makes his coaching debut Saturday, February 1 behind the bench for Chris Getzlaf's team in the Rider Foundation Winter Classic hockey game. His squad faces off against Brett Lauther's team, which is coached by former Riders turned Indianapolis Colts receiver Ajou Ajou.
One of Schaffer-Baker's favourite hockey cliches, he will use while coaching: 'Get it into the top shelf.' Even though they will be rival hockey head coaches, he is excited for Ajou to have his chance in the NFL with the Colts.
"He's one of the hardest workers in the building and the talent... once you mesh all that together, there's no stopping that," Schaffer-Baker said. "I grew up a Colts fan, so he's going to the perfect place. Hopefully, he can turn things around because it's been a rough couple of years."
The Rider Foundation Winter Classic goes Saturday, February 1 at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon. If you are 13 and older then it costs $25 for tickets, if you're 12 and under plus accompanied by an adult then it is free for children. If you have a minor sports team then you can get 20 tickets for $95. All proceeds from this event go to the Roughriders Foundation’s Win with Wellness program.
