ELF: Wroclaw Panthers sign former CFL defensive tackle Misiona Ailouoitea-Pei
The Wroclaw Panthers of the European League of Football have signed former Canadian Football League defensive tackle Misiona Ailouoitea-Pei.
The experienced New Zealand native now joins a Panthers team hoping to have a strong second half of the season and make a playoff push.
The 6’1 275-pound Kiwi was drafted in the second round, 17th overall in the CFL Global Draft by the Edmonton Elks. Ailouoitea-Pei spent the off-season in Edmonton with the Elks before being released just prior to the season. In late August of 2021, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders, however, released Ailouoitea-Pei in early June, following the team’s training camp.
Prior to playing in the CFL, Ailouoitea-Pei played in the Pacific Northwest for the Washington State Cougars (NCAA DI). He appeared in 25 games, starting six in his senior year. He also recorded 29 tackles with 4.5 for loss including 3.5 sacks and recovered one fumble.
Before playing for Mike Leach at Washington State, the New Zealander played two seasons of junior college football at Riverside City College in California. There he earned the second team All-Southern California honors making 41 tackles with eight for loss including 5.5 sacks as a sophomore.
Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei with the first sack of the night for the #Cougs! #SpeedD pic.twitter.com/wpCT2deIzs
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) December 29, 2018
Before playing in the US, Aiolupotea-pei played rugby, volleyball, and eventually American football in New Zealand and Australia. in 2013, he played for the Gridiron Queensland Stingrays Colts scoring 19 touchdowns and winning defensive player of the year. From there he was recruited to the “Down Under Bowl” where he was scouted by former Colorado University and long-time European football coach Dan Hawkins.
Aiolupotea-pei will join a defensive line featuring Semmie Radji, Filip Snopek and a plethora of Polish talent as the Wroclaw Panthers (2-4) take on the up and coming Stuttgart Surge this weekend.
Watch Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei CFL camp film