EDMONTON – Four UBC Thunderbirds have been named Canada West All Stars as announced by the conference Friday, one day before the 'Birds host the Saskatchewan Huskies in a Hardy Cup semifinal.

Fourth-year receiver Trivel Pinto is the lone T-Bird to be named an offensive All Star while also getting a nod as a kick returner.

Second-year linebacker Ben Hladik, fourth-year lineman Connor Griffiths, and fourth-year safety Stavros Katsantonis have all been named defensive All Stars.



Calgary and Manitoba will face off Saturday at 11 a.m. PT in the first Hardy Cup semifinal, while the T-Birds and Huskies will meet in the second semi at 2 p.m. PT in Vancouver.

Next week the conference will unveil its major award winners ahead of the 82nd Hardy Cup, which is set for Saturday, Nov. 10.

This weekend's semifinals can be seen on SaskTel, TELUS, Bell MTS, and Canada West TV. For channel listings, click here.
 


Offence

Trivel Pinto (REC) - The fourth-year receiver set a new single-season Canada West record with 67 total receptions, despite missing one game due to injury. The fourth-year wide out led the conference with 130.9 average yards receiving, as well as 1,503 all-purpose yards and finished the regular season with six touchdowns. This is Pinto's third consecutive year as a Canada West All Star.
 


Defence

Ben Hladik (LB) – The second-year linebacker from Vernon, B.C. finished the season with 49.5 total tackles, the second highest total in the conference. Hladik also amassed three sacks and a Canada West leading three fumble recoveries.

Connor Griffiths (DL) – This is Griffiths' second straight appearance as a Canada West All Star. A leader on and off the field for the T-Birds, the fourth-year defensive lineman from Langley missed two games due to injury but put up 8.5 total tackles and a fumble recovery.

Stavros Katsantonis (DB) – His third straight appearance as a Canada West All Star, Katsantonis tied for the conference interceptions lead with three, one of which he ran back 67 yards for a touchdown. The fourth-year safety averaged 4.1 tackles per game in 2018.


 
Special Teams

Trivel Pinto (Kick Returner) – The only player to be named both an offensive and special teams All Star for the second straight year, Pinto led the Canada West with 1,503 all purpose yards, an average of 214.7 per game.
 
 
2018 CANADA WEST FOOTBALL ALL-STARS

OFFENCE

Centre:
Jon Harke / Alberta / 5 / Sherwood Park, AB / Native Studies
Guards:
Mattland Riley / Saskatchewan / 3 / Melfort, SK / Engineering
Zack Williams / Manitoba / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Arts

Tackles:
Logan Bandy / Calgary / 2 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
Carter O'Donnell / Alberta / 3 / Red Deer, AB / Education
Tyler Packer / Calgary / 2 / Calgary, AB / Arts

Receivers:
Trivel Pinto / UBC / 4 / Toronto, ON / Arts
Hunter Karl / Calgary / 4 / Okotoks, AB / Arts
Dylan Schrot / Manitoba / 5 / Winnipeg, MB / Arts
Tyson Philpot / Calgary / 1 / Delta, BC / Open Studies

Running backs:
Tyler Chow / Saskatchewan / 5 / Calgary, AB / Arts & Science
Jamel Lyles / Manitoba / 3 / Surrey, BC / Arts
Quarterback:
Adam Sinagra / Calgary / 4 / Pointe Claire, QC / Arts

DEFENCE

Linebackers:
Ben Hladik / UBC / 2 / Vernon, BC / Arts
Boston Rowe / Calgary / 5 / Calgary, AB / Open Studies

Sam linebacker:
Nick Statz / Calgary / 4 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology

Interior lineman:
Evan Machibroda / Saskatchewan / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
Connor Griffiths / UBC / Langley, BC / 4 / Arts

Ends:
Joel Van Pelt / Calgary / Lethbridge / 5 / Science
Tristian Koronkiewicz / Saskatchewan / 5 / Regina, SK / Education
Brock Gowanlock / Manitoba / 3 / Duncan, BC / Arts

Cornerbacks:
Deane Leonard / Calgary / 2 / Calgary, AB / Business
Marcel Arruda-Welch / Manitoba / 2 / Winnipeg, MB / University 1

Halfbacks:
Shae Weekes / Manitoba / 2 / St. Adolphe, MB / University 1
Sterling Taylor / Calgary / 4 / Atlanta, GA / Arts

Safety:
Stavros Katsantonis / UBC / 4 / Bakersfield, CA / Arts

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter
Brad Mikoluff / Manitoba / 5 / Beausejour, MB / University 1

Placekicker:
Niko DiFonte / Calgary / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / Arts

Kick returners:
Marcel Arruda-Welch / Manitoba / 2 / Winnipeg, MB / University 1
Trivel Pinto / UBC / 4 / Toronto, ON / Arts