Ilesic probably deserves the title as the first punting specialist in the CFL, though you might want to make an argument for Ken Clark.  Ilesic started his career in 1977, and Clark started in 1975, but Clark was a backup receiver for Hamilton while Ilesic was strictly a punter with Edmonton.  Ilesic joined the Eskimos right out of St. Joseph's highschool in Edmonton and played 6 years in his home town, winning a Grey Cup in 5 years as part of the greatest dynasty in CFL history (1978-82).  Ilesic was sold to Toronto after the 1982 season as the Argos wanted Ilesic to do both the punting and the placekicking. The experiment lasted just two a bit years though Ilesic did a creditable job as a placekicker  (66.7% in 1983 and 65.2% in 1984).  Ilesic remained with the Argo until September, 1989 when he was released and signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL.  Ilesic had a tryout with the Los Angelas Ram in 1990, and returned to Toronto and the CFL in October. Ilelsic remained with Toronto through the 1993 season before being released prior to the 1994 season.  Ilesic sat out the 1994 season, but signed as a free agent with Hamilton in March of 1995.  Hamilton released Ilesic after the 1995 season, but he returned twice more to the CFL as an injury replacement.  In 1998, Ilesic played 3 games with the BC Lions, and in 2001, Ilesic returned to the site of his best years, playing 2 gamed in Edmonton.  There is no doubting Ilelsic's ability as a punter, as he won 8 West and 8 CFL All-Star honours (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1991 and 1992). Ilesic finished his career with a 44.8 career punting average.