LONDON, Ont. -- Matt Norman, an offensive lineman for the Western Mustangs, was chosen 22nd overall by the BC Lions in the 2012 CFL Canadian Draft on Thursday afternoon. The Montreal native was the last pick in the third round.

In CIS action last fall, Norman (Châteauguay, Que.) played a big role in helping the Mustangs lead the nation in rushing. For his efforts, the 6-foot-3, 317-pound senior was named an OUA all-star and a First-Team All-Canadian.

Ben Heenan, an offensive lineman from the University of Saskatchewan, became the sixth CIS player in as many years – and the 10th in the past 13 years - to be selected first overall in the draft when the Saskatchewan Roughriders called his name at No. 1 on Thursday.

For all the information on the CFL Canadian Draft, visit: www.cfl.ca.

A total of 24 CIS players were selected out of 45 total picks (53.3%). Other CIS players selected in the first round on Thursday were Wildrid Laurier wide receiver Shamawd Chambers, claimed by the Edmonton Eskimos at No. 6, as well as Calgary offensive lineman Kirby Fabien, who was taken by the B.C. Lions with the seventh pick.

Other notables among CIS draftees include Calgary linebacker Sam Hurl, the reigning two-time Canada West defensive player of the year, who went in the second round (12th overall); Laval defensive end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, the back-to-back J.P. Metras Trophy winner as CIS outstanding lineman (17th); and Sherbrooke wide receiver Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, named RSEQ MVP each of the past two seasons (25th).

The 2012 CFL season gets underway on June 29th.

NOTES: The 1983 and 1984 CFL Canadian Drafts opened with one Territorial Protection per team, so the first player drafted was the 10th overall choice... Each Draft from 1973 to 1982 opened with two Territorial Protections per team, so the first player drafted was the 19th overall choice...

CIS players selected in 2012 CFL Canadian Draft (24):

First Round (7 total selections)
1. Ben Heenan, Saskatchewan, OL (by Saskatchewan)
6. Shamawd Chambers, Wilfrid Laurier, WR (by Edmonton)
7. Kirby Fabien, Calgary, OL (by B.C.)

Second Round (7 total selections)
3. (10 total) Frédéric Plesius, Laval, LB (by Hamilton)
4. (11 total) Patrick Lavoie, Laval, RB (by Montreal)
5. (12 total) Sam Hurl, Calgary, LB (by Saskatchewan)
6. (13 total) Carson Rockhill, Calgary, OL (by Hamilton)

Third Round (8 total selections)
1. (15 total) Keenan MacDougall, Saskatchewan, DB (by Calgary)
2. (16 total) Johnny Aprile, Queen’s, WR (by Winnipeg)
3. (17 total) Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval, DL (by Hamilton)
8. (22 total) Matthew Norman, Western, OL (by B.C.)

Fourth Round (8 total selections)
3. (25 total) Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Sherbrooke, WR (by Hamilton)
4. (26 total) Lance Milton, UBC, DB (by Montreal)
6. (28 total) Quincy Hurst, Manitoba, WR (by Toronto)
7. (29 total) Jake Thomas, Acadia, DL (by Winnipeg)

Fifth Round (8 total selections)
1. (31 total) Mike Filer, Mount Allison, OL (by Calgary)
5. (35 total) Kevin Régimbald-Gagné, Sherbrooke, LB (by Saskatchewan)
7. (37 total) Jordan Verdone, Calgary, LB (by B.C.)
8. (38 total) Ryan King, Saint Mary’s, LB (by Edmonton)

Sixth Round (7 total selections)
1. (39 total) Ismaël Bamba, Sherbrooke, WR (by Saskatchewan)
2. (40 total) Aaron Crawford, Saint Mary’s, LB (by Toronto)
3. (41 total) Shea Pierre, Windsor, DB (by Toronto)
6. (44 total) Ryan White, Bishop’s, OL (by Montreal)
7. (45 total) Wilkerson DeSouza, Toronto, LB (by Calgary)

CIS players selected by round (24):

First round: 3
Second round: 4
Third round: 4
Fourth round: 4
Fifth round: 4
Sixth round: 5

CIS players selected by regional associations (24):

Canada West: 8
RSEQ: 7
OUA: 5
AUS: 4

CIS players selected by universities (24):

Calgary: 4
Laval: 3
Sherbrooke: 3
Saskatchewan: 2
Saint Mary’s: 2
Wilfrid Laurier: 1
Queen’s: 1
Western: 1
UBC: 1
Manitoba: 1
Acadia: 1
Mount Allison: 1
Windsor: 1
Bishop’s: 1
Toronto: 1

CIS players selected by positions (24):

Linebacker: 7
Offensive linemen: 6
Receivers: 5
Defensive backs: 3
Defensive linemen: 2
Running back: 1

Source: Canadian Interuniversity Sport