Empire Focal Point – Lochard & Whyte

Pascal Lochard

#34, National Fullback

6’0″, 215 lbs, 27 years old

Montreal, Quebec

The Edmonton Eskimos signed National Fullback Pascal Lochard from the Ottawa Redblacks on May 26, 2017 and was signed again as a Free Agent on June 11, 2018. Lochard enters his second season with the Green and Gold and his fourth in the CFL.

Lochard attended High School at College Notre-Dame then continuing on to Universite Laval in Quebec City, Quebec where he studied Business and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Management and Marketing. For 3 years (2010-13), Lochard was a football coach for the Mini Rouge et Or. A product of Rogue et Or himself, Lochard helped accelerate his team to victory, winning the Vanier Cup in 2013, where he was named the Most Valuable Player; he also won the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy.

In 2014, the BC Lions drafted Lochard in the second round, 14th overall. Lochard appeared in 15 games and rushed for 11 yards on three carries and two kickoff returns for 19 yards. In 2015, Lochard appearing in 14 games with one kickoff return.

Lochard signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on February 9, 2016 and appeared in 14 games, rushed for 33 yards on 8 carries. Upon entering the 2017 free agency, Lochard signed a two-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks but was released on May 8, 2017 where he was then picked up by the Eskimos later that same month.

In 16 games (two starts) of the 2017 season, Lochard rushed 14 times for 104 yards, with a reception for five yards, and also had 10 special teams tackles, also finishing with five kickoff returns for 76 yards.

So far in the 2018 season, Lochard, in three games, has two special teams tackles. Let’s hope we get to see the champion see some more playing time.

(Lochard’s Photo was outsourced through google)

Sean Whyte

#6, National Kicker

5’9″, 175 lbs, 32 years old

White Rock, British Columbia

The Edmonton Eskimos signed National Kicker Sean Whyte as a free agent on September 4, 2015. His contract has been extended 3 times: January 11, 2016, December 13, 2016 and again on December 8, 2017. Whyte enters his third full season with the Green and Gold and his 9th in the CFL.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, this guy is money!

Whyte played college football for the Santa Monica Corsairs and Canadian Junior College Football for the Big Kahuna Rams. In 2009, He joined the BC Lions where he totaled 27-of-35 field goal attempts, 86 punts for 3,548 yards, 5 punt singles and 1 Special Teams’ tackle.

During his time with the Montreal Alouettes (2011 – 2014), Whyte totaled 160-of-190 field goal attempts, 508 punts for 21,869 yards, 33 punt singles and 4 Special Teams’ tackles. In 2011, Whyte set an Alouettes record for consecutive field goals made with 24, breaking the previous record of 21 set by Don Stewart in 1976. Whyte was named an East All-Star for his efforts in 2013 and (in 2011) was awarded the CFL's Lew Hayman Trophy for the East Division's Most Outstanding Canadian. He was also named the Alouettes nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. In 2015, he attended training camp with the Als.

In 2015, Whyte made his Eskimos debut in Week 11 against Calgary and went on to record 24-of-26 field goal attempts and 14-of-14 converts, while punting 59 times for 2,401 yards with three singles. Whyte made an incredible 53 yard field goal against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in October. Whyte made 3-of-3 field goals in the West Final and 4-of-4 converts. In the Grey Cup, Whyte made 1-of-3 field goal attempts, he also made his only convert attempt and had one single. Whyte was voted the Eskimos Most Outstanding Canadian Nominee.

Let’s be honest, the stats for this kicker are outrageous, especially in regards to his time with the Eskimos! I urge you to read the full set of stats on the Eskimos website.

Here are a few notables:

2016

• Whyte ranked number one in the league in field goal percentage with 93.8% accuracy.
• He was the sole kicker above 90% last season, making 45-of-48 field goal attempts.
  Was named the Eskimos Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Canadian.

2017

• In 6 games (6 starts), Whyte finished with 15 - 16 in field goals and recorded a career farthest 55-yard field goal in Week 2, which is also tied for longest in the CFL this season.
• 12 - 14 converts, 29 punts for 958 yards (41-yard average) and 23 kickoffs for 1367 yards (59.4-yard average).
• Whyte set the Eskimos record of most consecutive field goals made with 25 in Week 4 against the Ottawa RedBlacks.

2018

• In five games (five starts), Whyte has converted 7-9 field goals - including a 52-yard field goal in week
• He also converted 5-6 extra point attempts.

To get to know this extremely likable guy on a personal level, listen to our podcast (links below) where he was our feature player of the week. Not that we are bias but this interview is MAASOME! And yes, we discuss Tucker!

http://www.eskempire.ca/podcast/the-sound-of-money-sean-whyte

https://play.google.com/music/listen?hl=en&tab=wY&u=0#/ps/Ibn3gbgcrovctu33ctu2vwn7p5u

http://eskempirepod.libsyn.com/the-sound-of-money-sean-whyte

Sources:

https://www.esks.com/players/pascal-lochard/160600/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Lochard#cite_note-1

https://www.esks.com/players/sean-whyte/136193/