The Saskatchewan Roughriders' gain is the Regina Thunder's loss.

Dan Clark, an offensive lineman who has two years of junior football eligibility remaining, recently agreed to be a practice-roster player with the Riders. Clark, 21, said Wednesday he plans on remaining with the Roughriders for the remainder of the CFL season.

"It was a great opportunity,'' said Clark, who was a Prairie Football Conference all-star in 2008 and had started every regular-season game for two seasons at left guard. "It was tough for me to leave the Thunder, especially (offensive line coaches) Andrew Sinclair and Sheldon Neald. It was a great chance for me to learn more and to develop my skills.''

Clark could have returned to the Thunder where he would have had an opportunity to play in more games. He felt it was to his advantage to practise with the Riders.

"I'm playing against what I think is one of the best defensive lines in the league,'' said Clark, who is 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds. "That should just make me better and then there is the competition. There is a little money but it wasn't about that. I'm doing this because I love the game.''

Practice rosters players make $500 a week. Because Clark is a junior and the CFL encourages the development of junior players, his salary won't be included in the $4.2 million salary cap.

Riders' offensive line coach Bob Wylie has been impressed by Clark, who was invited to the Riders' main camp after their rookie camp.

"He's one of the toughest guys that I have,'' said Wylie. "He's a young kid with a great passion for the game. Someday, he'll play for 10 years in this league.''

Clark is another graduate of the Thom Trojans to make the Riders. He joins offensive lineman Nick Hutchins, tailback Stu Foord and fullback Neal Hughes. Foord made the Riders' roster in 2008 after playing five seasons for the Thunder.

"It's a big celebration when one of us makes it because we worked hard to get here,'' said Clark, "We couldn't have done it without (Thom coaches) Gerry Thompson and Chuck Toth. Gerry Thompson breeds us to be football players.''

The Trojans' ties extend into the coaching staff because linebackers coach Alex Smith is a former Thom teacher and football coach. Hutchins and Clark both won the Alex Smith Award, which is presented to Thom's top offensive lineman.

Meanwhile, import Joel Bell is expected to start at right tackle when the Riders play host to the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday. Bell, 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, takes over from Matt O'Meara, who had started two games.

"(Bell) may add a little strength and bulk on that edge so we can't get collapsed on like we did last week (when the Riders were beaten 43-10 by the Montreal Alouettes),'' said Riders head coach Ken Miller.

Bell, who signed with the Riders on July 7, feels that he's ready to make the move to starter.

"I have improved a lot, especially with technique,'' Bell said. "That is different and the plays are different but I'm pretty much ready to go.''

NOTES: Defensive back Denatay Heard was returning kickoffs on Wednesday and may be added to the roster ... The Riders have sold out Saturday's game. It's the second consecutive sellout for Riders, who had 18 straight sellouts over the 2007 and 2008 season. The TV blackout has been lifted and the game will be telecast on TSN ... Offensive lineman Gene Makowsky, who suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the pre-season, was working out with the scout team Wednesday with a playing brace. Miller said that Makowsky may be able to play on Aug. 7 in Calgary against the Stampeders.