ASSINIBOIA — The road to the Vanier Cup was paved with determination. Former Assiniboia Rockets football player Derek Beaubien was part of the University of Saskatchewan roster for the Vanier Cup.
Assiniboia Composite High School alumnus Derek Beaubien was in his fifth and final year with the U of S Huskies football team. He competed in his home province for the coveted Vanier Cup.
Pure coincidence that after the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated Montreal to win the Grey Cup, the U of S Huskies also took on a Montreal team, right here in Saskatchewan, at Mosaic Stadium.
The Beaubien family farms south of Assiniboia and as the oldest, and only boy, Derek is surrounded by sisters. Beaubien developed a love of football early in his life.
Tammy Beaubien, mom of the Huskies O-lineman, says they got to experience the excitement of the Mitchell Bowl victory in Saskatoon Nov. 15, and were part of the Vanier Cup championship as his biggest fans.
“Derek was part of the ACHS Rockets high school team, Team Saskatchewan and played in the Moose Jaw Minor Football league. This is his fifth and final year with the Huskies. He was all part of Team Canada, playing in the international event at both U16 and U18, played in Arlington, Texas, home of the Cowboys,” said Tammy.
When ACHS Rockets alumnus Beaubien took to the field in his home province for the 60th installment of the Vanier Cup, he and his teammates were doing so with a purpose. This is the third Vanier Cup appearance in five years for the Huskies, having fallen short in 2021 and 2022.
The Huskies took the field facing the RSEQ victor, Montreal Carabins.
The Beaubiens say they were all at their son’s games this season. Derek, in his first year as a starter, played in the 2021 Vanier Cup with the Huskies as well as in 2022, and now again in his final year of eligibility in 2025.
Saskatchewan football fans were riding high with the continued success stories in 2025, including the Saskatoon Hilltops championship win as well as the Riders recently capturing the Grey Cup. Now they looked to the Huskies, at Mosaic Stadium, to complete the triple crown of championship victories. However, it wasn’t meant to be.
“Football family is huge, everyone knows everybody from early years to university to professional,” says Tammy.
Tammy says it was awesome this year to have the privilege of playing finals in Saskatchewan, as other years they have experienced layovers and cancellations to get out east for these championship games.
The family was excited to experience a big stage at home. There is a proud Sask. football legacy with Daniel Wiebe, U of S to CFL; Logan Ferland with the Grey Cup–winning Riders, who was once a Hilltops player; and Mitchell Picton with the Rams.
“There is some interesting history with players for sure as in 2021, the Huskies played the U-Tech Bowl against the Carabins, who was coached by famed Montreal Alouettes quarterback, Anthony Calvillo. And, the Huskies were coached by Scott Flory, who was once an O-lineman who protected Calvillo,” adds Beaubien.
We reached out to former Rockets coaches but were unable to get a response for press deadline.
Tammy adds, “Fifth year players were all back as strong in academics, ensuring an education can help them in their future once football aspirations are over. There is not always longevity for a CFL player.”
Derek Beaubien is in the Edwards School of Business and will convocate in 2026.
Asked how this mom feels about her emotions in her son’s last game, she responds, “It is sad but what a way to end it, can’t ask for anything better. Derek has played football since he was ten years old and he has put everything he had into the sport.”
Huskies player Beaubien has been coaching with a spring league team in Saskatoon and he will be involved again.
“Derek loves the game and he loves what you get out of it, the connection, the memories. There is no other sport like it as people of all sizes play together. Nobody stands out, it is a true team sport,” adds the proud player’s mom.
The U of S Huskies fell to Montreal in a heartbreaker Nov. 22. The big game might be over but the memories, lessons learned and experiences realized by both the player and his family will remain forever.
