The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed running back Matthew Peterson, offensive linemen John Kourtis and Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay, linebackers Ryan Baker and Mitchell Townsend, and defensive backs Daniel Bell and Jonathan Giustini on Tuesday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Matthew Peterson is five foot ten and weighs 210 pounds. The 23-year-old from Brooks, Alberta, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fourth round (36th pick) in the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, Peterson had 158 carries for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and 12 catches for 157 yards in 10 games for the Golden Bears. He was named Canada West Player of the Year.
Peterson played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2019, 2021-23) with 372 carries for 2,248 yards, 8 touchdowns, 56 catches for 538 yards, three touchdowns, and two kick returns for 30 yards in 32 games for the Golden Bears.
John Kourtis is six foot four and weighs 275 pounds. The 24-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the seventh round (61st pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Kourtis played five seasons at Liberty (2018-22) playing guard and center in 34 games for the Flames. Then, Kourtis transferred to the University of Saskatchewan in 2023 playing nine games for the Huskies.
Nathaniel Dumoulin-Dugay is six foot three and weighs 300 pounds. The 24-year-old from Rimouski, Quebec, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first round (7th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. At the CFL combine, Duguay posted the fastest 40-yard time for an offensive lineman (5.16) and registered the third most bench press reps (25) overall. Before committing to Laval, Dumoulin-Dugay spent time in the Canadian Army.
Collegiately, Dumoulin-Dugay Duguay played three seasons at the University of Laval (2021-23) playing 20 games for the Rouge Et Or. He was named a First Team U Sports All-Canadian in 2022, and a two-time RSEQ All-Star.
Ryan Baker is six foot two and weighs 220 pounds. The 24-year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fourth round (36th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Baker played five seasons at the University of British Columbia (2018-23) making 221 tackles (126 solo, 95 assists), 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, one carry for four yards, and one catch for 25 yards in 32 games for the Thunderbirds.
In 2023, Baker made 80 tackles (44 solo, 36 assists), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and one catch for 25 yards in 12 games.
Mitchell Townsend is six foot four and weighs 235 pounds. The 22-year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the eighth round (70th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Townsend played four seasons at the University of British Columbia (2019, 2021-23) making 130 tackles (67 solo, 63 assists), nine tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 36 games for the Thunderbirds. In 2023, Townsend made 88 tackles (45 solo, 43 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 games.
Daniel Bell is six foot two and weighs 215 pounds. The 22-year-old from Saint John, New Brunswick, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fourth round (34th pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Bell played four seasons at Mount Allison (2019, 2021-23) making 217 tackles (137 solo, 80 assists), 19 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six interceptions for one yard, 19 pass breakups, one blocked kick, and one punt return for 11 yards in 30 games for the Mounties.
In 2023, Bell made 77 tackles (49 solo, 28 assists), five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and four pass breakups in eight games.
Jonathan Giustini is six foot and weighs 200 pounds. The 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the sixth round (52nd pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Giustini played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2019, 2021-23) making 106 tackles (84 solo, 22 assists), one tackle for loss, six interceptions for 20 yards, 14 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, completing two passes for seven yards, one carry for -2 yards, punting the ball 104 times for 3,932 yards (37.8 AVG) with a long of 69 yards, 10 from inside the 20-yard line, 13 for 50-plus yards, 111 kickoffs for 6,402 yards (57.7 AVG), 13 touchbacks, and converted 67 of 90 field goals (74.4%) with a long of 49 yards in 35 games for the Golden Bears.
In 2023, Giustini made 48 tackles (35 solo, 13 assists), one tackle for loss, five interceptions for two yards, six pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, punting the ball 54 times for 2,013 yards (37.3 AVG) with a long of 69 yards, 41 kickoffs for 2,306 yards (56.2%), five touchbacks, and converted 27 of 37 field goals (73%) with a long of 49 yards in 10 games.
