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That makes home-grown Miller-Melancon the kind of ratio-breaker every Canadian Football League franchise loves to have.
Published May 08, 2026 • 5 minute read
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Queen's Gaels defensive back Ashton Miller-Melancon intercepts a pass in the Gaels' endzone during Ontario University Athletics action against the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Richardson Stadium. The Gaels won 24-18. The interception was Miller-Melancon's second of the season. Photo by Jan Murphy
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Ashton Miller-Melancon brings a jack-of-all-trades mentality to the gridiron.
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Need a cornerback outside to pick off passes? He’s good at that.
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How about a defender inside to knock down balls? The Canadian has his hand up.
A free-baller to play centre field? He’s up for the job.
Or a guy to step into the front seven and fill the gaps? Right in his wheelhouse.
“I consider myself a very versatile player,” said Miller-Melancon, a 2025 draft-pick who’s turning heads with that flexibility at Calgary Stampeders rookie camp.
“I feel very comfortable playing, really, all the positions,” continued the defensive back. “Throughout my university career, I played all the both corner spots, both halfback spots, some linebacker and safety. So walking in here, any position that they ask me to play, I’m willing and ready to play.”
That makes home-grown Miller-Melancon the kind of ratio-breaker every Canadian Football League franchise loves to have at its disposal.
Included are the Stampeders, with GM/head coach Dave Dickenson pleased as punch to see the eighth-round draftee — 65th overall last year by the Red and White — rounding into the kind of rookie who can push for a position in his second year trying to crack the lineup.
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“It used to be back in the day when you send guys back to school, they could come back and they were considered what’s called a non-counter,” Dickenson said. “But now they’re part of your roster, and it makes it hard, because if you have a guy that comes back, he certainly takes up a spot.
“But what I’m happy about is they always seem to come back with the foundation and they’ve already heard what we’re selling and they already know what we’re doing.”
That seems to be Miller-Melancon to a tee in his return to the Stamps from Queen’s University.
“I really thought Ash is coming in here in great shape,” said Dickenson, of the 24-year-old native of Pointe-Claire, Que. “I’m excited to watch him continue to grow. And he knows he’s in tough and there’s a lot of good players here at camp. We’ve got a great, great Canadian content in our back end. But he looks the part and he’s doing the right things. And I do think he’ll show well when he gets his chances.”
He showed oh-so well in his five years of U SPORTS football with the Queen’s Golden Gaels.
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Miller-Melancon played 48 games from 2021-25, racking up 197 career tackles, 39 passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
For his efforts, he was recognized as an Ontario University Athletics all-star four times and named a first-team all-Canadian on one occasion. He was also a member of the OUA all-rookie team in 2021 and was a U SPORTS academic all-Canadian, as well as being named recipient of Queen’s University’s Jenkins Trophy for the varsity teams’ senior men’s sports athlete who best displays qualities of competitiveness, leadership, sportsmanship, dedication, humanitarianism, scholastic achievement and exceptional contributions to his team.
Most notably on the field, he recorded more interceptions — a whopping 21 — than any Golden Gaels player all-time.
“He’s a ball-hawk — he has tons of interceptions,” agreed Dickenson. “He’s smart, too. And what I like about him is he leaned out, but he got bigger (compared to last spring). He looks physically ready to take on any challenge. He’s comfortable with our coaches in the system and with (defensive backs coach) Barron (Miles), and I just feel like his voice is stronger.”
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The hopeful believes attending camp with the Stamps last year gives him a leg up to get his hands on a position this spring.
Certainly, he’s proven he knows how to grab what he wants.
“Looking back at my university career, interceptions is what I was known for, and I’m very proud of that,” said Miller-Melancon. “But at the same time, I also think I can add into the box — I’m a great tackler.
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Defensive back Ashton Miller-Melancon gives an interview during rookie camp for the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Robert Lee/Special to Postmedia Photo by ROBERT LEE /Robert Lee/Special to Postmedia
“And then on special teams, I can just give max effort and get down the field and really cause problems for the opposing team. So I think I’m a very versatile player. I wouldn’t just limit myself to ‘ball hawk’, but it is a great compliment to get.”
His fast track to becoming a CFLer is, indeed, to take flight on special teams for the Stampeders.
Adapting to such a role would make easier the ‘big challenge’ of making the cut for an eighth-rounder before he gets the opportunity to show off his defensive prowess.
And that’s something Miller-Melancon seems to be embracing.
“I think it’s important that you have versatility, and I think we have a lot of those guys,” said Dickenson, listing off a handful of his Canadian defenders — including Adrian Greene, Godfrey Onyeka, Ben Labrosse, Anton Haie and Dolani Robinson — who have proven they can play any position. “Because when you go into a game and there’s injuries, it’s the guys that know the entire system — not just their spot — that are the ones that bail you out.”
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And, ultimately, make names for themselves in the CFL.
“Yeah … my expectation is really to just work, work hard every day and earn it every single day,” added the 6-foot-2, 203 lb. talent. “So to make the roster, I have to be a dog on defence, making sure that I’m doing all the right things, and then especially be a dog on special teams to make sure I’m providing value to the team and making the team better than it was without me. So it’s just being consistent every day in my pursuit and just trying my best to be the best player possible is what’s going to help me crack this roster.
“It’s a great group of guys here, and I’m just excited to keep playing with them and just keep getting better every day with them.”
SHORT YARDAGE
Rookie camp for the Stampeders concluded Friday at McMahon Stadium … The CFL club hosts hundreds of keen kids on their home turf Saturday for the annual Jr. Stamps Camp, presented by William Huff Advertising Ltd. (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) … Main camp opens Sunday on the team’s home turf (9:45 a.m.) … The Stamps’ first pre-season game goes Monday, May 18, at McMahon (1 p.m.) … The second and final pre-season contest for the club is slated for Friday, May 29, against the host Edmonton Elks (7 p.m.).
tsaelhof@postmedia.com
http://www.x.com/ToddSaelhofPM
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