McCoy Colt Xavier Bueckert and former coach Chris Perret at the signing ceremony on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

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Colts’ Xavier Bueckert ready for the next step in his football life

Jun 2, 2022 | 12:00 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Xavier Bueckert will be a Colt for a little longer, just in a different city.

The Monsignor McCoy Colts offensive lineman made the next step in his football career official this week, signing with the Canadian Junior Football League’s Calgary Colts.

He put pen to paper with one former coach beside him and another watching from above.

“I had a coach pass away two years ago that, coached me for four years and he brought me up and you know taught me the things I know and told me that I could go places that nobody ever thought I could,” Bueckert says.

Bueckert is talking about the late Rick Boksteyn, a long-time McCoy coach who passed away in 2020. Bueckert says Boksteyn was once looking over his shoulder and is now watching from heaven.

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Wednesday was National Signing Day for the CJFL. It’s been tough the past two years with public health restrictions limiting gameplay and practice. Bueckert says junior and senior Colts coaches he’s had over the past six years have been instrumental in his development.

Chris Perret coached Bueckert with the junior Colts. He saw Bueckert’s potential early and had to give him a push to give football a shot.

“When he didn’t come out to practice I went to the school and gave him a little nudge and said you know this would be something that would be great to see you out,” he recalls. “It didn’t take much and he was back on the field and through there he just ran with it both on his athletic ability but then his leadership and mentoring other kids.”

Perret adds it’s those things coaches can’t teach that are taking Bueckert to Calgary.

“He’s a great leader he’s got good work ethic he’s got the right morale brings up his teammates you know he’s accountable, he’s dependable he’s a great team player,” Perret says. “It’s all those things that are great for the next level and the level after that. You know he’ll keep his athletic piece but those intangibles are sometimes a big aspect for him.”

Bueckert feels the same.

“I was talking with the coach the O-line coach and he said that he likes my work ethic and I think you know later down the line when I’m a little bit older I think I bring some leadership to the team so we can become better and hopefully go and win a national championship.”

The Colts Saige Robertson also signed a CJFL deal yesterday that will see him join the Prince George Kodiaks.