Hamilton's smartest Ticat to return through 2015 season

Hamilton Tiger-Cat offensive lineman Peter Dyakowski will be returning to the team through the 2015 season. The all-star Canadian will be entering his seventh season with the Ticats. His first was in 2007.

Scheduled to be a free agent as of February 15, the Ticats announced the contract extension on Wednesday. Dyakowski was Hamilton's second round pick in the 2006 draft and has played 96 regular season and four playoff games with the team.

'I couldn't imagine myself playing anywhere else or wearing any other colours.'—Peter Dyakowski, Ticat offensive lineman

“We’re thrilled to keep Peter in Hamilton. He’s shown the ability to be a dominant player and his character makes him a valuable member of our organization,” Kent Austin,Vice President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach said in a press release.

“One of our top priorities was securing Peter and Marwan Hage – two key members of our team – to new contracts. We are excited they chose to continue their careers in Hamilton."

Dyakowski, a Vancouver, British Columbia native, was named an East Division and CFLPA All-Star in 2012 after being named the Ticats Most Outstanding Lineman in 2011. He said he's happy to be staying on with the team

“I’m excited to be staying in the Hammer. Hamilton is the team that drafted me and it's the team I'm sticking with. I’m a Tiger-Cat and I couldn't imagine myself playing anywhere else or wearing any other colours," he said in a press release.

"It's not common that a player gets to play so many years with the same team so I really do feel fortunate. Hamilton is a terrific city and our fans are incredible. They deserve a Grey Cup and that's what I'm playing for.”

More than just brawn, Dyakowski is known for his brains after winning CBC's 'Canada's Smartest Person' competition last spring.