A pair of Peace Region football players have been drafted into the CFL, and will be staying close to home.
During the evening of Tuesday, April 28 Carter Kettyle and Matthew Ljuden both received the call that they have been waiting years for.
The first of the two to go off the board was Grovedale-born Kettyle, who was drafted 21st overall to the hometown Edmonton Elks.
“It’s something I’ll never forget. You sit there and try to guess on when your phone is going to ring, and you’re watching the draft and just kind of waiting, and waiting. As soon as the phone did start to ring, it was kind of like a rush of heat over my body,” Kettyle said.
Shortly after Kettyle getting picked, Ljuden from Grande Prairie heard his name get called also by the Elks at 59th overall.
“It was definitely a crazy experience, something you definitely dream about as a kid,” Ljuden said.
Ljuden and Kettyle both grew-up watching the Elks, making trips down as a bantam team to watch games in person.
Ljuden says that his parents have been season-ticket holders for the Elks for the past four seasons.
“I think my dad was more excited then I was. He was pretty stoked for me. They have been my team, getting drafted there is honestly pretty sweet.”
Kettyle and Ljuden first started playing football together since their peewee days in grade 6. The two played high school football with each other at St. Joesph High School, and graduated together in 2022.
Both of them received offers to continue playing football in Edmonton for the University of Alberta Golden Bears. The two then decided to become roommates and continue their friendship throughout post-secondary.
Kettyle says that hearing both of their names called on Tuesday was something that they have always hoped for.
“It’s a dream that you have while you’re a kid to be drafted to the same team as your buddy.”
Ljuden mentioned that both of them getting drafted is also a dream come true.
“It’s awesome, especially growing up with him, and playing with Carter forever, he’s my best-buddy. I wouldn’t change this for the world, he’s my best friend and honestly it’s surreal.”
Both Ljuden and Kettyle say that they will continue to keep training, to get their body ready for training camp.
