Curtis Dublanko’s athleticism serves him well in pro ball

By Andrew Soong, September 19th, 2012

Als' linebacker Curtis Dublanko was a well-rounded athlete growing-up in his hometown of Thornsby, Alberta.
Dublanko competed in track and field becoming a provincial semifinalist in high-jump during his high school years, but also found his first love in sports playing a running back linebacker in high school.
“Football was my main love,” said Dublanko about his youth and exposure to football. “I was good at track and I played everything when I was younger.”
Eventually Dublanko's football and schooling found him being recruited by the University of North Dakota as a member of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. There Dublanko played in all 11 games with seven starts as an inside linebacker in the 2009 season opening with three tackles and one pass break-up against Texas Tech University. According to Dublanko “I knew that, like a lot of guys who played NCAA, I had a shot at the CFL.”
Dublanko was quickly scooped-up by the Als in 2010 as second round draft pick draft pick being 15th overall in the CFL draft. The Als' latest Grey Cup win offered a new challenge to Dublanko who played his first game in 2011. According to Dublanko “coming to the Als' was a dream come true and Montreal is a great city.”
“You don't feel out of place here even with players from different backgrounds are all over, but driving in the city took a little getting used to,” said Dublanko about the Als and Montreal. “The Alouettes are an awesome team, a great work environment and I don't want to play for another team.”
Dublanko spent his off season last year in Leduc, Alberta where he went to high school playing football. There, with some of his former coaches, he helped some up and coming football players coaching as well as offering advice. According to Dublanko “I try to let them know - even if you are from a small town- that it's not out of your reach to succeed.”