Pierre Lavertu speaks (from a Boston Pizza!) about going first overall in the 2014 CFL draft

Laval offensive lineman Pierre Lavertu's selection by Calgary with the first-overall pick of the 2014 CFL draft wasn't all that surprising, considering that he was widely one of the top-rated prospects at any position (and one of the best players without substantial reported NFL interest in him). It was notable that the Stampeders traded for that first pick, though, as until that decision, it looked like Lavertu might be staying much closer to home with the Ottawa Redblacks. He wasn't upset with the move, though. Lavertu was watching the draft with friends, family and Rouge et Or coaches and teammates at a Quebec City-area Boston Pizza, and he took part in a CFL-organized media conference call from there Tuesday night. On that call, he said he said he was thrilled the Stampeders took him.

"I'm very happy Calgary took me with the first-overall pick," Lavertu said. "It's a good day for me. I hope I'll have some success in Calgary."

Calgary's much further from Lavertu's home in Quebec City than Ottawa would have been, but he said he's quite happy to go west.

"It's a long way from home, but they traded up to pick me," he said. "I'm sure they have a plan for me."

Lavertu said he had some inkling that he might go first overall, but he wasn't necessarily expecting to wind up with the Redblacks.

"I knew Ottawa had some interest in me, but I knew they had some offers on the table," he said.

He might be a particularly good fit with the run-focused Stampeders, as the Rouge et Or have traditionally relied upon a powerful ground attack. Lavertu said going to a team with a superstar running back like 2013 CFL most outstanding player Jon Cornish feels like a good fit.

"I know about Jon Cornish, he's an awesome running back," Lavertu said. "My playing style is I love to run the ball and pound the ball. I think I'm a good run-blocker."

Lavertu has found great success at centre at the CIS level, earning three All-Canadian nods for his play with the Rouge et Or. He'll likely have to move to guard in Calgary, as the Stampeders already employ 2013 rookie of the year Brett Jones at centre, but he said he's ready to make whatever adjustments he needs to.

"If they want to put me at left guard or right guard, I'm going to do it," Lavertu said. "I think it's a bigger adjustment for a guard to play centre than for a centre to play guard."

One of the big points in praise of Lavertu ahead of the draft was how CFL-ready he seemed. He said he's eager to get his professional career started.

"I think I'm ready for the CFL," he said. "I've worked hard for this, and I'm physically ready."

He said he doesn't expect learning the Stampeders' offensive playbook to take too long.

"I can learn the playbook really quick."

Lavertu's decision to celebrate the draft at a local Boston Pizza with friends, coaches and teammates sounds like a perfect only-in-the-CFL story. This wasn't one of the glitzy draft parties of NFL-bound stars, but a much more down-to-earth one that seems appropriate for a great Canadian player. He said there was a lot of emotion in the room when he was drafted.

"My mom cried, and everybody was happy for me, showing me some love," he said. "It was a great moment for me."

Now, Lavertu's hoping that auspicious beginning will translate into a long pro career with the Stampeders.

"I hope I'll have some success in Calgary."