OTTAWA — The Ottawa REDBLACKS made a key special teams move on Tuesday, announcing a contract extension for veteran national kicker Chris Milo through 2017.

The 29-year old Milo was signed by the REDBLACKS on July 31, which proved to be a key signing for the Eastern Division Champions. The Montreal native was 32-for-36 on field goals (88.9 per cent), good for fourth in CFL with his longest kick coming from 48 yards.

Milo posted the league’s third-best extra point conversation rate going 34-for-39 (87.7 per cent) and tallied 131 points – the fourth most in the CFL.

“Chris was a great asset for us in the second half last season,” REDBLACKS General Manager Marcel Desjardins. “He brought stability to the position and leadership to the team and we’re glad that he will continue to be a REDBLACK through 2017.”

Milo enters his sixth CFL season in 2016 and has made two trips to the Grey Cup in the past three seasons. On Oct. 29, 2011, Milo tied the record for the longest punt ever kicked in professional football when he punted the football 108 yards. Prior to playing in the CFL, Milo captured a pair of Vanier Cup championships in four years with the Rouge et Or in Laval.

The REDBLACKS also announced the signing of international linebacker John Kanongata’a, who is no stranger to the team.

The Bellevue, Wash. native was part of training camp last season and certainly made an impression. The 23-year-old linebacker played four years at the University of Montana where he was among one of the top tackle and sack leaders in Grizzlies history.

“John was in training camp in 2015 and really impressed prior to being injured,” said Desjardins. “We feel he adds athleticism and versatility to our defence and we look forward to seeing him again this season.”