Seven of the CFL's Top 32 Players Are On One Team, and They're Out for Blood Tonight

Alright, Seattle! You wanna talk about expectations? Forget everything you *thought* you knew, because Hamilton is ROLLING into their home opener against Montreal tonight, and this isn't just any game. TSN just dropped their list of the CFL's top 50 players, and get this: a mind-blowing SEVEN of the top 32 guys are wearing TiCats colors. That's tied for second in the entire league! These cats aren't just good, they're absolutely loaded, and they're bringing a serious chip on their shoulder. Why? Because they're looking for sweet, sweet revenge after last year's soul-crushing conference finals loss to Montreal on a last-play field goal. You *know* that kind of sting leaves a mark.

The TiCats Are STACKED and Hungry

Seriously, when you've got two of the top three players in the entire league anchoring your offensive attack, you're not just playing, you're dominating. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, a bona fide top-three talent, and wide receiver Kenny Lawler, another top-three monster, are leading this squad. Mitchell absolutely went off last year, slinging the ball for a ridiculous 5,296 yards and an eye-popping 36 touchdowns. Thirty-six scores! Lawler was right there with him, putting up numbers among the league leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns, so it's no surprise he locked down a contract extension all the way through 2028. Coach Scott Milanovich isn't mincing words either about the sky-high expectations in the organization and amongst their devoted fan base. He said, "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." You hear that? They're dialed in, they know the mission, and they are hungry.

Alexander's Bold Comeback and Calvillo's New Era

Now, let's not sleep on Montreal, because they're going to be a gut-check for Hamilton right from the jump. A lot hinges on the health of their franchise quarterback, Davis Alexander. Last year was a nightmare for him, a hamstring injury troubled him for most of 2025, limiting him to just seven regular-season games. That injury even compromised his physical skills during their 25-17 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan. But Alexander is showing serious commitment, arriving in Montreal from his Arizona home in mid-April, a full three weeks before training camp even started. Talk about dedication! Even with limited action, he still put up 2,024 yards and 10 scores last year. And he sounds like a new man, declaring, "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." Plus, they've got a new voice calling plays: Anthony Calvillo. He's been the offensive coordinator for the last three years, but he's no stranger to the big stage; the dude won *three* Grey Cups as the team's quarterback from 1998 to 2013! Montreal coach Jason Maas is hyping him up, saying simply, "Trust me, he's ready." So, tonight's home opener isn't just kicking off a new season, it's a test. Hamilton wants that payback bad. Montreal wants to prove Alexander is truly back and that Calvillo can bring that championship magic from the sideline. Get your snacks ready, because this is going to be an absolute must-watch firecracker to ignite the season!

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