Montreal Broke Hamilton's Heart Last Year, And Now 7 Top-32 Players Are Out For Blood

Alright, football fanatics, get ready! The CFL season is kicking off, and let me tell you, if you thought the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were messing around, you were dead wrong. This isn't just another game, it's a grudge match, and the TiCats are coming in absolutely loaded. We're talking serious talent, a team hungry for redemption, and a Montreal Alouettes squad hoping their star QB is finally healthy. This Thursday night opener is going to be straight fire!

Hamilton's Stacked Roster Is Not Playing Games

Look, the expectations for Hamilton aren't just high, they're through the roof, and for good reason. Before the season even started, TSN dropped their top 50 CFL players list, and guess what? SEVEN of the top 32 players are rocking the TiCats colors. That's tied for second in the entire league, people! When you've got that kind of foundational talent, you're a threat. Leading that charge are two of the league's top three players: quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and wide receiver Kenny Lawler. Mitchell, our guy, absolutely slung it last year, tossing for a ridiculous 5,296 yards and 36 touchdowns. And Lawler? He was an absolute beast, finishing among the league leaders in both receiving yards and touchdowns, earning himself a contract extension through 2028. This isn't a rebuilding year, folks. Coach Scott Milanovich knows what's up, saying, "There's a much better understanding, from players to coaches, coaches to players, what the expectation is. I don't have to teach that any more. Our core, our foundational guys, are used to what is important to us now." They won the East title last year, only to lose to Montreal in the conference finals on a last-play field goal. You *know* that stings, and they're ready to flip the script.

Davis Alexander Is Healthier, But Can He Stop The Storm?

On the flip side, we've got the Montreal Alouettes, and their biggest question mark is all about quarterback Davis Alexander. The dude was battling a nasty hamstring injury for most of 2025, which limited him to just seven regular-season games and messed with his physical skills during their 25-17 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan. Nobody wants to see their guy playing hurt. But here's the kicker: Alexander showed up in Montreal from his Arizona home in mid-April, a full three weeks before training camp. Talk about commitment! He still managed to throw for 2,024 yards and 10 scores in limited action last year. And he's feeling it now, stating, "I can truthfully say this is the healthiest I've been since the injury. 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 kind of fire we love to hear! Plus, Montreal's got a new play-caller in Anthony Calvillo, who's been the offensive coordinator for the last three years. Coach Jason Maas is hyped, saying of Calvillo, who won three Grey Cups as the team's quarterback from 1998-2013, "Trust me, he's ready." This is going to be a huge test for a healthy Alexander and a new offensive direction right out of the gate. This Thursday night game is more than just an opener, it's a measuring stick for both teams. Can Hamilton's reloaded roster start strong and get their revenge? Or will a healthy Davis Alexander and a new OC throw a wrench in those plans? This is the kind of early-season drama we live for, and I can't wait to see how it plays out!

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