He's Alex Ikonikov, a 6-foot-4, 234-pound inside linebacker and offensive lineman, who was quickly snapped up by the University of Minnesota. He accepted a five-year scholarship worth $70,000 (U.S.).

The 19-year-old Ikonikov was a key member of the Halton Region champion Wildcats and, in addition to grabbing the most valuable player award at a University of Michigan football summer camp last June (the first Canadian in eight years), he entertained the visiting Gophers' scouting staff with 21 tackles in his finest game with White Oaks.

Bob Wignall, a football coach at White Oaks the past 23 years and a key member of the coaching staff involved in the progress of [Tony Mandarich], and Grant Slavin at North Carolina State helped [Ikonikov] with his shopping of the U.S. market.