Former Weyburn Comprehensive Eagle football player Brendon LaBatte was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League draft on Wednesday .

The 21-year-old, six foot four inch, 320 pound offensive lineman began playing football with the Comp Eagles. After he graduated in 2004, he advanced to the University of Regina Rams, where he spent the past three years.

"It is pretty exciting to get drafted," LaBatte said. "When I got the phone call I was extremely happy to be going to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers."

LaBatte's parents, Dale and Laurie of Weyburn, were also very excited to hear the news that their son had been drafted into the CFL. "It is pretty exciting that he has the opportunity to play at the next level and we hope things work out well for him," said Dale.

Dale and Laurie were in Regina with LaBatte on the day of the draft and helped celebrate their son's achievement.

"We were with him last night (Wednesday) and he was pretty excited to be going to Winnipeg," Dale said. "It is nice that someone from a small town gets the chance at the big leagues."

Heading into the draft, LaBatte was hoping that he would get picked in the first round. As the draft inched closer, he heard rumours that he could go higher than sixth overall, but in the end he is happy just to be drafted.

As for his future, LaBatte will be going to Winnipeg shortly in an attempt to crack the Bombers' lineup.

"I'm heading over there in a couple of weeks and am looking to make the roster. From what I have heard I have a good shot and will have a chance to play," said LaBatte.

The Bombers open the preseason on Thursday, June 12, in Hamilton against the Tigercats, before returning back to Winnipeg for a preseason match up with the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 19.

Winnipeg will open their regular season at home on Friday, June 27, against the Toronto Argonauts. The Bombers will be in Regina for the first time since LaBatte was drafted on Sunday, Aug. 31, for the Labour Day Classic.

LaBatte started 10 games with the University of Regina Rams and was a key part of the offensive line that lead the Canada West conference with 32.1 points allowed per game. A couple of highlights this season for LaBatte included attending the Shrine East-West Bowl in Houston, Tex. and participating in the CFL Evaluation Camp.