The Calgary Stampeders have signed non-import punter Burke Dales, the club announced Tuesday. Dales initially joined the Stampeders in 2005 and spent four seasons with the club before becoming a free agent after Calgary’s 2008 championship season. “We’re happy to have Burke back with the Stampeders,” Calgary general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He had a very good 2008 season and steadily improved as the season went on. I’m sure we’ll see more of the same in 2009.”
Dales played in all 18 regular-season games, the West Final and the Grey Cup in 2008. He averaged a career-high 46.1 yards-per-punt and led all CFL punters with a 38.1 net yards-per-punt average. “I’m just glad to be back with the Stamps,” Dales said in a statement. “This team has become a family for me, Calgary is home and I’m very excited to be back. I can’t wait for the season to get started and I’m Iooking forward to competing for another Grey Cup.”