CALGARY – The 2026 Canadian Football League season gets underway this week and, once again, the University of Calgary Dinos football program will be well represented across the nation this season.
A total of 13 Dinos alumni are on the various rosters across the CFL heading into Week 1. That total is once again the most among all U SPORTS institutions, tying them with three other schools heading into the start of the new season.
In all, 158 U SPORTS alumni are currently in the CFL on rosters, with all 27 schools with football programs having at least one alum currently in the CFL.
The opening game of the season sees
Nate Beauchemin and
Tyson Philpot of Montreal go up against Hamilton, where
Brayden Szeman was drafted just over one month ago.
Ethan Ball and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers come to McMahon Stadium to take on the Stampeders and
Jalen Philpot,
Micah Teitz and
Matt Sibley one day later. Rounding out the Week 1 action sees the Edmonton Elks travel to Ottawa where
Jacob Plamondon and
Chris Pashula will battle against
Sean McEwen and
Ben Dobson.
Peter Nicastro (Toronto) and
Adam Konar (BC) will both have to wait until Week 2 for their first action of the season, with their respective teams on bye to start the year.
In all, the Dinos have at least one former player on eight of the nine CFL teams, with Calgary's three alumni equaling the highest total for one team.
The 62nd season of Dinos football will open training camp in August, with the 2026 regular season opener scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4 when UBC comes to McMahon Stadium.
Calgary Dinos Alumni on 2026 CFL Rosters (as of June 2, 2026)
| NAME |
POSITION |
CFL TEAM |
ROSTER |
YEARS AS A DINO |
HOMETOWN |
| Ethan Ball |
DB |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
Active |
2024 |
Regina, SK |
| Nate Beauchemin |
DB |
Montreal Alouettes |
Active |
2021-2024 |
Kelowna, BC |
| Ben Dobson |
LB |
Ottawa REDBLACKS |
Practice |
2021-2025 |
Cochrane, AB |
| Adam Konar |
LB |
BC Lions |
Active |
2014 |
Vancouver, BC |
| Sean McEwen |
OL |
Ottawa REDBLACKS |
Active |
2011-2015 |
Calgary, AB |
| Peter Nicastro |
OL |
Toronto Argonauts |
Active |
2016-2020 |
Calgary, AB |
| Chris Pashula |
OL |
Edmonton Elks |
Practice |
2021-2025 |
Calgary, AB |
| Jalen Philpot |
WR |
Calgary Stampeders |
Active |
2018-2021 |
Surrey, BC |
| Tyson Philpot |
WR |
Montreal Alouettes |
Active |
2018-2021 |
Surrey, BC |
| Jacob Plamondon |
FB |
Edmonton Elks |
Active |
2017-2021 |
Red Deer, AB |
| Matt Sibley |
WR |
Calgary Stampeders |
Practice |
2022-2025 |
Calgary, AB |
| Brayden Szeman |
OL |
Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
Practice |
2020-2025 |
Vernon, BC |
| Micah Teitz |
LB |
Calgary Stampeders |
Active |
2014-2017 |
Calgary, AB |
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