CFL Notebook: Tim Hortons Field Is No More, Riders Extend Dalke, CFLPA Report Cards
HAMILTON – The home of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats will soon have a new name.
Hamilton Sports Group announced Wednesday that Tim Hortons Field, the stadium where the Ticats and Forge FC of soccer’s Canadian Premier League play, will be rebranded with a new sponsor after a 10-year naming rights agreement with the restaurant chain runs out at the end of the year.
A new sponsor was not disclosed in Wednesday’s announcement.
Tim Hortons Field, which is owned by the City of Hamilton and operated by Hamilton Sports Group, opened in 2014 on the site of the TIcats’ longtime former home, Ivor Wynne Stadium.
Tim Hortons, which opened its first location blocks away from Ivor Wynne, purchased the naming rights for the $145.7-million facility in 2013.
The Stadium hosted Grey Cup games in 2023 and 2021, Vanier Cup games in 2016 and 2017, the CPL’s inaugural match on April 27, 2019, Canada’s 2-0 win over the United States in World Cup qualifying on Jan. 30, 2022, and the NHL’s outdoor Heritage Classic game between the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs on March 13, 2022, over its first decade of operation.
REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Canadian defensive back Jayden Dalke to a one-year contract extension Wednesday.
The six-foot-one, 200-pound Dalke was slated to become a free agent in February.
Dalke, of Leduc, Alta., had 14 combined tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season games last year with Saskatchewan.
He was selected in the fifth round, 54th overall, of the ’22 CFLdraft by the Riders and appeared in all 18 regular-season contests as a rookie.
Dalke had 44 total tackles, an interception and two forced fumbles in 14 regular-season contests in 2023.
He played collegiately at the University of Alberta.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders received the top grades in the CFL Players’ Association’s first-ever team report cards.
Saskatchewan received two “A” and five “B” grades in the eight categories provided in the union’s 58-question survey, which was distributed to members in October. A total of 495 players participated.
Franchises were graded on football operations, management and administration, training and medical staff, equipment, family treatment, nutrition and diet, team travel and training camp. The Riders received an “A” for both football ops and management and “B” grades in all but diet and nutrition (D-plus).
Only two failing grades were given, both to the Edmonton Elks. They earned an “F” in nutrition and diet as well as training camp.
The CFLPA collaborated with Dr. Desmond McEwen, an assistant professor in sport psychology at the University of British Columbia.
The union said the goals of the initiative were to highlight teams setting positive examples and identify areas where improvements are needed.
The CFLPA is following in the footsteps of the NFL Players’ Association, which released its first team report cards in 2023. The NFLPA also provides letter grades for such categories as teams’ locker rooms, training facilities, weight rooms, food/cafeteria, treatment of families as well as training and strength-and-conditioning staffs.
The Ottawa Redblacks also earned two “A” grades (football operations, equipment). The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (equipment), Toronto Argonauts (training and medical staff) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (equipment) were the only other franchises to garner “A” designations.
Winnipeg, which has made five straight Grey Cup appearances, also earned three “B” grades (football ops, management, training/medical staff and family treatment). It also received a “C” in three areas: nutrition, team travel and training camp.
Toronto, which has won two of the last three Grey Cups, earned a “B” in each of football ops, equipment and training camp and a “C” in the remaining four categories. But the Argos drew criticism, too.
Hamilton received six “B” grades and a “C” for football operations. Ottawa also earned four “B” grades and a “C” for both management and diet and nutrition.
Montreal received a “B” for football operations, management and training staff and a “C” for equipment, nutrition, team travel and training camp. But the ’23 Grey Cup champions earned a “D” for family treatment.
Edmonton, the B.C. Lions and Calgary Stampeders were the only teams to earn multiple “D” grades.
B.C. received a “B” for football ops and “C” ratings for equipment, team travel and camp. However, it earned “D” grades for management, training/medical staff, family treatment and nutrition.
Calgary earned five “C” grades (football ops, training/medical staff, equipment, team travel and camp) but a “D” for management, family treatment and nutrition.
Edmonton did secure “B” marks for football ops and equipment and “C” marks for management and training/medical staff. But it was also given a “D” for both family treatment and team travel.
(Canadian Press)
