REDBLACKS make first trade in team history; acquire Stittsville native Justin Phillips from Calgary

OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League have made a trade with the Calgary Stampeders, acquiring defensive lineman and Stittsville native Justin Phillips and Calgary’s third-round pick (23rd overall) in the 2014 CFL Canadian draft.

In exchange, the Stampeders receive Ottawa’s third-round pick (19th overall) in the 2014 CFL Canadian draft and the REDBLACKS’ third-round selection in the 2015 draft.

Phillips (6-4, 240 lbs.) has spent the past seven seasons in Calgary, where he has accumulated 78 tackles and an additional 78 special teams tackles and four sacks, including a career-high two sacks last season.

“We tried to get Justin during the expansion draft but things did not work out then, but we`re glad to be able to acquire such a quality player now,” said Marcel Desjardins, general manager of the REDBLACKS. “Justin is an Ottawa guy and we believe he’s going to thrive in this environment.”

The 28-year-old Phillips attended Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville and played youth football with the Bell Warriors of the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA) and university football for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, helping his team win the 2005 Vanier Cup.

In his third and final season at Wilfrid Laurier in 2006, Phillips was named a first-team Ontario University Athletics (OUA) all-star and a second-team Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) All-Canadian.

Phillips, selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2007 CFL Canadian draft, helped the Stampeders win the 2008 Grey Cup and had a career season in 2011, recording 31 tackles and 12 tackles on special teams, to go along with a sack, one forced fumbled and a fumble recovery.