Hamilton Has 7 Top-32 Players, and Their Season Starts With a Straight-Up Revenge Game

Alright, Emerald City faithful, listen up because the CFL is kicking off, and if you think there aren't high stakes right from the jump, you're not paying attention! We're talking about the Hamilton Tiger-Cats heading into their home opener on Thursday night against the Montreal Alouettes, and trust me, there's some serious bad blood from last year. Hamilton, who absolutely owned the East title in 2025, got bounced by Montreal in the conference finals on a last-play field goal. You know that feeling, right? That gut punch of an early exit? Yeah, they remember it, and they're bringing a seriously loaded roster to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Hamilton Is Stacked and Ready to Feast

If you want to know how much the game has changed for the Ti-Cats, just check out TSN's top 50 CFL players. Seven of the top 32 wear Hamilton colors. That's tied for second in the entire league, people! When you've got two of the top three players overall, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and wide receiver Kenny Lawler, anchoring your offense, you know it's going to be explosive. Mitchell was absolutely torching defenses last year, slinging it for 5,296 yards and 36 touchdowns. Lawler, a beast on the outside, finished among the league leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns, so much so they locked him down with a contract extension through 2028. Coach Scott Milanovich isn't mincing words either. He knows the expectations are through the roof. "There's a much better understanding, from players to coaches, coaches to players, what the expectation is," he said. "I don't have to teach that any more. Our core, our foundational guys, are used to what is important to us now." That's the sound of a team that knows what it wants: redemption.

Alexander's Health and a New Play-Caller Could Spark Montreal

But don't sleep on the Alouettes. They're coming into this opener with their own story. Their franchise quarterback, Davis Alexander, was battling a hamstring injury for most of 2025, which limited him to just seven regular-season games and clearly hampered him during their 25-17 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan. Talk about a tough break! But Alexander is committed. He showed up in Montreal from his Arizona home three weeks before training camp in mid-April, ready to put in the work. He still managed 2,024 yards and 10 scores in his limited action last season, which is crazy efficient. Now, Alexander is feeling good, really good. "I can truthfully say this is the healthiest I've been since the injury," he stated, adding, "It's a massive relief on my end. I get paid too much money to miss the amount of games I did." That's the fire you want to see. Plus, they've got a familiar face taking over as play-caller: Anthony Calvillo. He's been the offensive coordinator for three years, but now he's officially got the reins. This guy won three Grey Cups as the Alouettes' quarterback from 1998-2013. He knows how to win, and Montreal coach Jason Maas is hyped, saying simply, "Trust me, he's ready." So, you've got Hamilton, absolutely stacked and out for revenge, facing an Alouettes squad with a healthy, committed quarterback and a legendary new play-caller. This isn't just an opener, folks, it's a test for both teams right away. Kickoff on Thursday night is going to be electric, and you know we'll be watching every single play!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.