CALGARY – Two members of the Montreal Alouettes preparing for and playing in the 113th Grey Cup will be in familiar surroundings. The same is true for three members of the Edmonton Elks.

Receiver Tyson Philpot and defensive back Nate Beauchemin spent their U SPORTS careers at the University of Calgary and practised many hours on the turf of McMahon Stadium.

Under Canadian Football League protocol, the West team (Edmonton) has the Stampeders locker room. The East team (Montreal) will be on the west side of the stadium where the Dinos locker room exists. Both Tyson and Nate will return to the Grey Cup and be in the same locker room where they played their U SPORTS football.

Tyson spent four seasons (2018-2021) with the Dinos, including the 2020 COVID-19 year when the team was unable to play. Beauchemin, who attended Kelowna Secondary School, spent four seasons (2021-2024). Both were U SPORTS All-Canadians with the Dinos.

The Edmonton Elks have three former members of the Dinos. One is a member of the coaching staff. Two others are players.

Jabari Arthur returns to Calgary and McMahon Stadium after spending nine years as an assistant coach with the Dinos. Jabari joined the Elks this season. He was part of the 2019 Dinos national championship coaching staff that defeated the University of Montreal Carabins. Arthur was the position coach for Tyson Philpot, whom he will oppose in the 113th Grey Cup game.

Fullback Jacob Plamondon and offensive lineman Chris Pashula are also familiar with McMahon Stadium.

Pashula is a graduate of St. Francis High School in Calgary. He spent four years with the Dinos before being selected in the fifth round (60th overall) in the 2026 CFL Draft. Chris dressed for the West Final against the B.C. Lions, backing up the interior of the offensive line. The 23-year-old dressed for six regular-season games.

Plamondon attended Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, AB. He was the Elks' second-round pick (19th overall) in the 2022 CFL Draft as a defensive lineman but is now a fullback. He has been on the six-game injured list most of the year. He was with the Dinos from 2017 through 2021 and was a member of the 2019 national championship team.

"It is amazing that former Dinos are living their dream and doing so back at McMahon Stadium. The entire program is proud of them and cheering them on," states Dinos football head coach Ryan Sheahan.

Once a Dino, always a Dino, now involved with the 113th Grey Cup game in Calgary.

-UC-