OL Slater’s lofty gridiron dreams (VIDEO)

Tigers standout opening up doors to options on both sides of the border.

St.John’s Tigers star lineman Rain Slater is currently enjoying all elements of his life on and off the field

Rain Slater

Positions:
Offensive Line (Tackle, Guard), Defensive Line (Tackle)

Height/Weight
6’4,305 lbs

Teams:
St.John’s Tigers (high school: WHSFL)
North Winnipeg Nomads (minor MMFL)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Considerations:
Manitoba, Open

Class:
2018

Rain Slater joined his first football team in 2008 when he suited up for the North Winnipeg Nomads (Manitoba Major Junior Football League). In 2015, Slater was a rookie for the St.John’s Tigers of the Winnipeg High School Football League.

During his time with the Nomads, Rain won the 2012 Pee Wee Provincial Championship, the 2013 Bantam Provincial Championship and was a 2014 Bantam Provincial Finalist. In 2012 and 2014 Rain earned the Nomads’ Best Offensive Lineman.

Rain was named to the Manitoba Provincial Team Black Under 16 2014-2015. Won a silver medal in 2014 at the Red River Cup and was named captain of Team Black in 2015.

Other accolades that have been presented to Rain are: 2015 St. Johns Tigers Rookie of the Year, Recruit Ready Border Battle MVP Lineman Award 2015, CTV Sport-Star of the Month September 2015, TSN 1290 Sport-Star of the Month October 2015, 2015 WHSFL Kas Vidruk Lineman Award Currie Division, 2015 Rookie of the Year nominee, 2015 WHSFL Currie Division All-Star and 2015 WHSFL Honour Roll.

In 2015 Rain went on a trip with Recruit Ready to compete in Chicago and Minneapolis. During that trip Rain was able to meet reps from University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University (NDSU), University of North Dakota (UND) and tour their facilities. Slater impressed UND at the combine and evaluation camp as a grade 9 student so much that they followed up with a visit to his school in December to give advice on which courses he needs to play in the U.S. The only advice given to Rain was on his footwork at the time. Rain met a UND representative again in 2016, they talked about recruiting, being First Nations and the advantages of playing in the United States.

CFL Legend Adam Rita has become a friend of Rain’s and wants him to play at Hillside Academy in 2018. Canada Prep and R.I.C.C (Royal Imperial Collegiate of Canada) have expressed their interest in Rain playing for them as well.  Slater has also met University of Bisons head coach Brian Dobie through Recruit Ready.

The highlights from last season for Rain were winning the Kas Vidruk Lineman award in the Currie Division and being nominated for Rookie of the Year.

In football, Rain looks up to his coaches. Dan Noordman was Rain’s first coach and ended up coaching him for 7 years. Grant McMillan was Rain’s first high school coach. Eddie Steele of the Edmonton Eskimos has become a big influence on Rain, growing up 2 streets over and a few blocks down. “The same neighbourhood has given Rain the belief he can make it too” mentioned Rain’s father Ryan. Eddie along with ex Winnipeg Blue Bomber Kelly Butler, are always emphasizing hard work and have been great for advice and support to the young star. “All the staff at Recruit Ready have gone above and beyond to make connections for Rain,” added Ryan.

Outside of the sport, Rain is trained in boxing by Ken Johnson and Jason Bone. Has also trained and competed in Jiu Jitsu under former Blue Bomber linemen Garry Sawatsky and Christina Barry. Rain loves to play guitar and has a total of nine as well.

After high school Rain is hoping to make it to College or University in the U.S or Canada. Education first is to become an engineer and then continue to play football, if he can make a career out of it.

“My dream is to play in the CFL or NFL,” added Slater.

The recruitment process has been great. There has been lots of interest and Rain is making great friends in the process. Rain has toured University of Minnesota, NDSU, NDU and University of Manitoba.

Rain trains with Recruit Ready and St.John’s Tigers offseason training. He occasionally boxes and does Jiu jitsu to stay flexible and light on his feet.

In the upcoming months, Rain is planning on attending UND and University of Minnesota Camps.

To keep excelling on the field, Rain is doing weight training for endurance and stamina and training with Recruit Ready to bring his time down from 5.2-5.3 to 5.0 by the WHSFL season opener. At the 2016 Recruit Ready Border Battle Rain had his personal best time in the 40 (laser timed) of 5.08.