They say that the colder months of December to January are “the most wonderful time of the year”. But Ticats fans tend to disagree. For most of them, they would entirely bypass the holiday season (mainly because of the bitter cold and darkness) just to have football season fall on their plate.
For Hamiltonians, football is the gift we wait year-round for and the jolly man bringing it this year, is June Jones. With the teams training camp starting Sunday, there are a few things fans should look out for.
1. Jeremiah Masoli
Jeremiah Masoli is set for his second season in TigerTown as a starter. With a familiar playbook and Coach June returning, the stage is set for a repeat of his 2017 finish. As June 1st’s matchup with the Toronto Argonauts approaches, keep an eye out for Masoli’s progression as the number one gun in Hamilton.
2. The friendships
For some players, training camp is the first time they have to see their teammates since the end of the season. A long offseason can separate friends for what seems like an eternity. Their inside jokes, laughter and pranks will be back as the team gets back together.
3. The drills
Watching a practice is very different than a game. When sitting in the stands, the product on the field is the result of the work put in on the practice field. At training camp drills such as the Oklahoma drill, shuttles, and scrimmages are the main attraction. These drills allow fans to see these world-class athletes at their best and working to get better.
4. The Stories
With the drafting of Marcus Davis, Terrell and his brother are now embarking on their first training camp together. After playing at UBC for a handful of years, they are back together in Hamilton. With Marcus on the offensive side of the ball and Terrell on the defensive, this sibling matchup is a must see.
5. The Rookies
This year CFL draft was a raging success for the Ticats. Bringing in game-ready talent from across the Canadian spectrum has allowed Hamilton to help improve their Canadian presence. The key to the CFL is winning, but creating opportunities and chances for Canadian talent to play on the nations largest stage is something Hamilton has done very well. With both sides of the ball being addressed in the draft, players such as Joel Van-Pelt, Jackson Bennett, Marcus Davis, Mike Moore, and Nicholas Parisotto will have a chance to show what they’ve got.
With so many reasons to attend training camp, make sure you get out to Ron Joyce Stadium and see your Hamilton Tiger-Cats prep for the 2018 season. Tickets for June 29th’s home opener are available now call a ticket representative today at 905-547-3387.
