CALGARY - Henry Burris is officially a Hamilton Tiger-Cat.
The Calgary Stampeders confirmed Tuesday they've dealt the veteran quarterback to Hamilton for quarterback Kevin Glenn, offensive lineman Mark Dewit and a conditional draft pick.
"Kevin Glenn has thrown for 5,000 yards in a season twice and he has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in this league," Calgary head coach/GM John Hufnagel said in a statement. "It's also exciting to bring Mark Dewit into the fold, a local kid who did an excellent job filling in at centre last season with Hamilton and will start training camp competing at that position."
The confirmation of the deal wasn't a surprise as news broke of the transaction late Monday.
But the move ends months of speculation regarding Burris' future in Calgary after he lost his starting job to backup Drew Tate late last season.
It became clear last week that the six-foot-two, 219-pound Burris' days in Alberta were numbered after Calgary signed Tate to a long-term contract extension.
The move is a homecoming for Dewit, a Calgary native who played at the University of Calgary.
Calgary finished tied with B.C. and Edmonton for the CFL's best record at 11-7. But the Stampeders were relegated to third in the West Division after losing the season series to the Lions and Eskimos, then ended the campaign with a 33-19 semifinal loss to the Esks.
The 36-year-old Burris, the CFL's outstanding player in 2010, was in his second stint with the Stampeders and spent a total of nine seasons there. He is Calgary's all-time leader in passing yards (32,171), touchdowns (233), attempts (3,677) and completions (2,167).
A 13-year CFL veteran, Burris ranks seventh in all-time passing yards with 41,235. He has also rushed for 4,392 yards and 55 TDs and captured two Grey Cups, being named the MVP of Calgary's win over Montreal in 2008.
Burris turns 37 in June but remains one of the CFL's best when he's on his game. Not only does Burris have a strong throwing arm, but his mobility makes him a double threat to also run.
"I'm excited to be coming to a first class organization like the Tiger-Cats and looking forward to playing in front of one of the best fanbases in the league," he said in a release "This team has a very bright future and I'm eager to be a part of it.
"My family and I would like to thank the Stampeders organization and their fans for everything they have done for us during my career in Calgary. We made a lot of great memories in Calgary, and we're looking forward to competing for another championship in Hamilton."
Glenn, 32, opened the season as Hamilton's starter but ended up splitting the starting duties with late in the year with backup Quinton Porter as Hamilton finished third in the East Division standings with an 8-10 record. But the Ticats dispatched Montreal in the conference semifinal before losing to Winnipeg in the final.
Calgary will become Glenn's fourth CFL stop. He began his career in Saskatchewan before heading to Winnipeg, where he helped lead the Blue Bombers to the 2007 Grey Cup. But he didn't play in the title game after suffering a shoulder injury in the East Division final.
Over his 11-year CFL career, the five-foot-10, 205-pound Glenn has passed for 32,446 yards with 179 touchdowns and 128 interceptions.
"It's a great feeling to be joining the Calgary Stampeders," said Glenn. "I'm excited for a fresh start and want to continue the tradition of strong quarterbacks in Calgary.
"I look forward to working with Drew Tate and the entire Stamps offence."
The six-foot-three, 305-pound Dewit became Hamilton's starting centre late in the season after incumbent Marwan Hage suffered a knee injury. Dewit was a 2008 sixth-round draft pick of the Toronto Argonauts.
Hamilton is still searching for a new head coach after firing Marcel Bellefeuille on Nov. 30.
