The Saskatchewan Roughriders were able to lock up a key player on the eve of free agency on Monday.

The Riders signed national linebacker Sam Hurl to a one-year contract extension to keep him in Green and White for 2019.

Hurl started all 18 games at middle linebacker last season for the Riders, collecting 41 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, and two tackles for loss. He also started the Western Semi-Final, posting three defensive tackles.

Hurl was originally a second-round selection by the Riders in the 2012 CFL Draft before he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2015 where he played for three seasons.

In seven CFL seasons, Hurl has posted 207 defensive tackles, 53 special teams tackles and eight sacks in 108 regular-season games.

Free agency opens across the Canadian Football League on Tuesday.