Gustav » . When the Wild signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter,

SURREY, B.C. -- Khalif Mitchell didnt leave a lot of friends behind when the B.C. Lions traded him to the Toronto Argonauts prior to last season. The controversial defensive lineman had been a dominant force in helping the Lions to a 2011 Grey Cup victory, but the following campaign was marked by a number of troubling incidents on and off the field that resulted in both fines and suspensions. "Good riddance!!!!" tweeted running back Andrew Harris following the April 2013 deal with the Argonauts was announced. But after Mitchell was released this past off-season by Toronto to pursue NFL opportunities that never materialized, the Lions jumped at the chance to bring the hulking 29-year-old with a unique skill set back into the fold by signing him to a contract on Tuesday. Despite the baggage Mitchell left behind in Vancouver, Lions general manager Wally Buono said players, coaches and management agreed he deserved another shot with the club. "Once we got into it, everybody felt it was the right thing to do," said Buono, whose team will host the Grey Cup. "When you look at trying to improve this football club, Khalif is an outstanding football player and from our point of view we wanted to move forward and we wanted to build a championship team for 2014. "If I felt I had to convince (players and coaches) then I wouldnt move forward. This was not a matter of me imposing what I wanted. This was an opportunity." The six-foot-six, 315-pound Mitchell, who met the media at the Lions suburban practice facility on Tuesday, said he grew up a lot during his time in Toronto and understands why some of his former teammates felt the way they did when he left B.C. "I dont believe that anybodys words were going to be kind when I left," he said. "I didnt leave on kind terms." An all-star in both 2011 and 2013, Mitchell has 86 tackles and 13 sacks in four CFL seasons. What those numbers dont show is how much he influences the game from the interior of the defensive line, often occupying two and three blockers to free up teammates. "Weve done five camps in the United States looking for another Khalif Mitchell and theyre not out there," said Buono, adding that Mitchell has matured a lot in the last year. "For us, when hes here in our backyard, when hes willing to make a commitment to come play for the B.C. Lions ... to me, I thought that was something worthwhile." For his part, the eccentric Mitchell downplayed any hard feelings that might linger from his first stint with the Lions. "This is a place that was my house. (If) youve got trash in your house, you just take it out. Its not something as complicated as the media might make it seem," he said. "Its very simple. Its trash. You take it out." The Virginia Beach, Va., native had 33 tackles and six sacks with the Lions in 2011, and had another outstanding campaign with the Argonauts in 2013, registering 32 tackles and five sacks. "Its exciting to be back. Its a place I call home. Its a place that I have a lot of fond memories of," said Mitchell. "When I look around I see a lot of Grey Cup pictures and stuff ... all of a sudden I get a lot of memories and a lot of butterflies." Despite those warm feelings, its that 2012 season that often comes to mind when Mitchells name is mentioned. He was suspended for two games by the CFL for violently hyper-extending the arm of an opponent that July before being fined an unspecified amount by the league for making multiple throat-slashing gestures in another game. Mitchell was then fined and suspended again for violating the CFLs social media policy after using a racial slur on Twitter. "Theres a risk with everybody you sign, whether its a player, a coach, a staff member," said Buono. "Theres always risks and thats part of what makes this job and life exciting. "We all grow with our experiences. Ive had experiences that I regret ... Ive gotten better for it." The move to sign Mitchell would appear to immediately improve a Lions defensive line that surrendered the second fewest rushing yards per game (94.4) in 2013, but allowed the second most rushing touchdowns (17) and recorded the third fewest sacks (45). "Im not sure that when Khalif is on his game theres too many people (as dominant)," said Buono. "A man of his size, with his athleticism and his power, they dont come around every day. In 2011, why did we win a Grey Cup? A lot of it had to do with the guys up front. "I believe today that Khalif Mitchell is a better football player than he was in 2011." With the Grey Cup set to be played at B.C. Place Stadium in November, the Lions were relatively quiet this off-season, losing a number of veterans through trade, free agency and retirement. They got a big one back on Tuesday and he seems eager to make an impact. "I was looking for a team to go ahead and win a championship with," said Mitchell. "Wally Buono went to go look for players to help put together a team to win a championship with. "We met somewhere along the path and thats how were here today." Note: The Lions made another move Tuesday, releasing defensive back Lin-J Shell. Cheap LeBron James Lakers Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Wild team that has a nice mix of proven veterans along with young, inexpensive talent on the rise. When the Wild signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, making a big splash in the summer of 2012, it set the franchise on a path to being more competitive, but a big reason that they have been so competitive is the contributions of young players who still have more to give. Jamaal Wilkes Jersey .com) - Robert Martin and Josh Hicks combined for more than 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns, as Rutgers rolled past North Carolina, 40-21, in the Quick Lane Bowl. http://www.lakersteamofficial.com/ . The Flames are in the midst of a six-game slide (0-5-1), their longest losing streak since an 0-6-3 skid from Jan. 11-28, 2010. They havent won since Nov. 3 in Chicago and most recently went winless on a three-game homestand. Jerry West Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. Jerry West Lakers Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout.Out since November 2nd with a severed tendon in his left ankle, David Bolland was at practice on Wednesday, though he was skating as an extra and not featured on any of the four forward lines. While he is making progress, Bolland admitted things are not moving as quickly as he would like. "Things are going, things are progressing," said Bolland. "Not as quickly as I wish they were, but things are progressing." Coach Randy Carlyle suggested last Thursday that there was a 50-50 chance Bolland could return prior to the Olympic break, but with just two games remaining for the Leafs before the two week hiatus, nothing is set in stone. "Well see," Bolland said when asked if a return before the break was a possibility. "Things are progressing, so well see how they go." At this point, Bollands biggest limitations occur in transition when he is required to change directions abruptly. "Its crossing over, getting on that ankle, putting weight on it and stressing that tendon," Bolland explained. "Thats the biggest thing, the transition in the game when youre going down on a three on two and the puck gets poked off your stick and you have to go back the other way, that quick transition of turning on a dime and getting back. Its that tendon that you have to use to turn and progress off that. Its getting stronger, its getting there but its just not elevating like I want it to." Now over three full months since the injury occurred, Bolland is still resigned to the fact that he will experience pain in the ankle, likely forr several more months to come.dddddddddddd "You feel pain, you feel stress, and I did cut a tendon so it went right through the muscle, right through the tendon, right through everything, almost down to the bone," he said. "Im going to feel pain; its going to be like that for the rest of this year and maybe some of the summer." Whether he returns or not in the next two games, Bolland will not be taking the Olympic break off. Instead, he intends to return to London to skate with the Knights, his former junior club and continue wearing the new skate boot that he had custom designed to support his injury. "Ill have to use that new skate for a while, probably for the rest of my career," said Bolland. "Ive got a big bulge on the side of my ankle that sticks out, bigger than my other ankle so its going to be with me for the rest of my life. Ill probably use that skate until Im done." An unrestricted free agent this summer, the injury has prevented Bolland from raising his stock with a solid year, playing in just 15 games to this point. More concerned with getting back into the line up than worrying about a new contract, he indicated that his past resume should speak for itself. "I dont know if Im missing anything, I think in the past few years Ive won two Stanley Cups," said Bolland. "Ive been to the finals and know what its like to get there; Ive been through those battles so I dont think this should hinder any kind of contract. I think they know what I do and what kind of heart I have out there." 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