(Montreal) Three players from the champion edition of the Montreal Alouettes will return next season, including two from Quebec, general manager Danny Maciocia announced Tuesday.

The Alouettes announced that they have reached an agreement with linebackers Frédéric Chagnon and Tyrell Richards as well as fullback Alexandre Gagné.

“These three players have been important parts of our team in 2023 and we are happy with these deals,” Maciocia said.

Chagnon, a six-foot-four, 233-pound colossus, played in all 18 games for the Birds last season, including six as a starter. The 31-year-old made 26 tackles, eight more on special teams, knocked down two passes and had a sack. In the playoffs, he participated in three Alouettes games before lifting the Gray Cup.

For his part, Gagné participated in all of the Alouettes’ games in 2023 – including the three playoff games, en route to winning the Gray Cup. The former Vert et Or player from the University of Sherbrooke recorded one tackle and 16 additional tackles on special teams in 18 regular season games. Gagné added five tackles on special teams to his record in playoff games.

For his part, Richards has 10 tackles and 11 on special teams in 11 games this season. He also returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. The former Syracuse University Orange player also caused a fumble and more than recovered one. He was in uniform for two playoff games. The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ontario, was the Alouettes’ first pick in the 2022 CFL Draft.