Onwards and upwards.

That was the theme of the night for York University Lions defensive lineman Jason Janvier-Messier and offensive lineman Evan Anseeuw, who have taken the first step in their professional football forays, after both were selected in Tuesday night's CFL Draft.

Janvier-Messier, a native of Beloeil, Que., was picked in the fourth round, 33rd overall by the Calgary Stampeders. The former focal point of the Lions defensive front follows in the footsteps of York alumni Colton Hunchak, Luther Hakunavanhu, Daniel Amoako who were taken by Calgary in 2018, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Janvier-Messier, who was a force off the edge for York and finishes his Lions career with 47 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles, also joins the former team of current head coach Dexter Janke, who played in the Stampede City from 2015-18 after being taken by the Stamps in the fifth round, 44th overall in the 2015 draft.

Meanwhile, Anseeuw, who showed strong versatility up front on the offensive side of the ball in his U SPORTS career, will be on the other side of the Battle of Alberta after he was selected with the first pick of the seventh round, 57th overall, by the Edmonton Elks. The 6'3, 280-pound lineman, who appeared in games at right tackle and both guard spots in his time as a Lion, becomes the first York player picked by the Edmonton franchise since 2020. That year, defensive lineman Rossini Sandjong was taken in the seventh round, 59th overall. 

Janvier-Messier and Anseeuw will report to their new clubs' training camps when league camps open on May 12th. Both players both retain athletic eligibility should they not make their CFL teams. The 2024 pre-season opens May 20, while the regular season begins June 6.