FB: Canada West talent on display as 2021 CFL season kicks off

40 CW products suited up Week 1 of the CFL season

10 August 2021

VANCOUVER - With the first week of the 2021 CFL schedule in the books, Canada West talent was on display across the league as 40 former players hit the field in Week 1.

Of the 40 players dressed for the eight teams who opened their 2021 campaigns on the weekend, 21 were designated as starters. Three more alumni will get their seasons underway when the Montreal Alouettes begin their season in Week 2.

In total, 52 former CW players are listed among the nine CFL teams' active rosters, practice rosters and injured lists.

ROOKIES SEE FIRST ACTION

With the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opening weekend marked the first CFL action for players from both the 2020 and 2021 CFL Canadian Player Draft classes.

Former Calgary Dinos OL Peter Nicastro, the seventh overall pick in 2021, started his first CFL game in the Toronto Argonauts 23-20 win over the Calgary Stampeders. Fellow 2021 first-rounder Nic Cross (9th overall - UBC) made his debut for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the league's opening night on Thursday.

In all, 10 rookies hit the field in Week 1 with six coming from the 2021 draft class and four from 2020's selections.

REMPEL ENTERS 16TH SEASON

Former Saskatchewan Huskie Chad Rempel earned the title of longest-serving CFL player when the 2021 season kicked off. Rempel, who is in his first season with the Edmonton Elks, has spent 16 seasons in the league, spending time with Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Toronto, and Hamilton over the course of his career.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Calgary Dinos once again lead the way with 19 former players in the league this season. Saskatchewan and Manitoba both have eight players on rosters. UBC's seven players and the five from each Alberta and Regina make up the conference total of 52 alumni in the CFL.

The Calgary Stampeders active roster featured the biggest contingent of Canada West alumni with nine players suiting up for the club in their Week 1 matchup. Among the group were 2021 draftees, Elliott Graham (UBC) and Charlie Moore (Calgary). The lone Canada West quarterback in the CFL, Michael O'Connor (UBC), recorded one rushing attempt in Week 1.

Overall both the Stampeders and Roughriders have 10 former CW players on their rosters to start the season.