Kienan LaFrance

Kienan LaFrance (born May 16, 1991) is a professional Canadian football running back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He made his professional debut for the Ottawa Redblacks, where he won the 104th Grey Cup in 2016, and has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Kienan LaFrance
No. 26     BC Lions
LaFrance with the Lions in 2023
Born: (1991-05-16) May 16, 1991
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusNational
Position(s)RB
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight210 lb (95 kg)
UniversityManitoba
CFL Draft2015 / Round: 6 / Pick: 45
Drafted byOttawa Redblacks
Career history
As player
2015–2016Ottawa Redblacks
2017Saskatchewan Roughriders
2018Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2019–2022Saskatchewan Roughriders
2023–presentBC Lions
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Professional career

Ottawa Redblacks

LaFrance was drafted in the sixth round, 45th overall by the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2015 CFL Draft.[1] He was officially signed on May 25, 2015. After minimal usage his rookie season, LaFrance developed into a rotational player on offense and special teams, especially when starting running back William Powell was lost to injury.

On November 20, 2016 in the postseason, LaFrance rushed for 157 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown to send the Redblacks back to the Grey Cup for the second straight season.[2] Ottawa went on to win the Grey Cup, with LaFrance as the game's leading rusher with 42 yards on 11 carries, and also pitching in 31 receiving yards.[3]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On February 14, 2017, LaFrance signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL).[4] He dressed in 13 regular games and started six of them, recording 68 carries for 273 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as well as 14 catches for 119 receiving yards and one touchdown. He was released by the team on February 1, 2018[5] the day before the Roughriders were to pay LaFrance a $20,000 bonus as part of the final year of his contract; the original 2-year deal would have compensated LaFrance roughly $110,000 total per year.[6]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

On February 13, 2018, it was announced that LaFrance had signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.[7] It was a one-year contract for about $80,000.[6] LaFrance provided insurance as a backup to Andrew Harris, who had helped recruit LaFrance to join Winnipeg. LaFrance scored 2 rushing touchdowns in 2018, in two separate games against Montreal.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (II)

After fulfilling his contract with Winnipeg, LaFrance rejoined the Roughriders for the 2019 season.[8] LaFrance saw limited usage on offense, but was a notable contributor on special teams by making 15 tackles. He also caught a pass from punter Jon Ryan on a fake punt, but the play was negated due to a coaching clerical error.[9] LaFrance continued to mostly contribute on special teams during the 2021 season, and on December 22, 2021 was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.[10] On June 4, 2023, LaFrance was released by the Roughriders.[11]

BC Lions

On June 5, 2023, one day after being released by the Riders, LaFrance signed with the BC Lions.[12]

Career statistics
  Rushing   Receiving
Year Team GP Car Yards Avg Long TD Rec Yards Avg Long TD
2015 OTT 166172.880 210.510
2016 OTT 16371634.4240 12766.3221
2017 SSK 13682734.0182 141238.8181
2018 WPG 16361373.8272 8648.0230
2019 SSK 18294.570 000.000
2021 SSK 18 7 43 6.1 12 0 8 69 11.6 23 0
2022 SSK 119394.3110 5285.670
CFL totals 1041656814.1274 493617.4232

References
  1. "Breaking down the 2015 CFL Draft by team - CFL.ca". 12 May 2015.
  2. "Tour LaFrance: REDBLACKS Grey Cup-Bound After Late Rushing TD".
  3. "2016-11-27 Game Tracker - Calgary Stampeders vs. Ottawa Redblacks (2361)".
  4. "Riders add ratio-breaker in Lafrance". CFL.ca. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-02-16.
  5. "Riders release RBs Lafrance, Bell". CFL.ca. 2018-02-01. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  6. "Bombers sign former Riders Canadian RB Kienan LaFrance – 3DownNation".
  7. "Bombers sign Manitoba's Kienan LaFrance". CFL.ca. 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
  8. "Canadian running back Kienan Lafrance rejoins Saskatchewan Roughriders". The Province. 21 February 2019.
  9. "Negated pass on Riders trick play creates confusion for fans, players". 21 July 2019.
  10. "Riders re-sign RB LaFrance, LS Hus - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. 2021-12-22. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  11. "Saskatchewan Roughriders release 22, including RB Kienan LaFrance". 3DownNation. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  12. Dunk, Justin (2023-06-05). "B.C. Lions sign former Riders' running back Kienan LaFrance". 3DownNation. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
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