The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed running back Matthew Peterson, offensive lineman John Kourtis, linebacker Mitchell Townsend, and defensive back Jonathan Giustini on Friday.
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 2024 CFL Draft.
In 2024, Peterson had five carries for 44 yards and three catches for 9 yards in two preseason games. The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024, and he returned to Alberta for his final collegiate season.
Peterson played five seasons at the University of Alberta (2019, 2021-24) with 477 carries for 3,032 yards, 9 touchdowns, 62 catches for 583 yards, three touchdowns, and two kick returns for 30 yards in 38 games for the Golden Bears.
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. In 2024, Peterson had 105 carries for 784 yards, one touchdown, and six catches for 45 yards in six games.
John Kourtis is six foot four and weighs 275 pounds. The 25-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the seventh round (61st pick) in the 2024 CFL Draft. In 2024, Kourtis appeared in two preseason games. The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024, and he returned to Saskatchewan for his final collegiate season.
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 (2023-24) playing 19 games for the Huskies.
In 2024, Kourtis played 10 games. Saskatchewan’s offense averaged 28.50 points per game, 154.0 rushing yards per game, 297.60 passing yards per game, 431.0 total yards per game, and 34 touchdowns finishing 7-4 in the season and making it to the Hardy Cup where they lost to Regina 19-14.
Mitchell Townsend is six foot four and weighs 235 pounds. The 23-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. Townsend appeared in two preseason games for the Ticats in 2024 making one tackle.
The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024. The B.C. Lions signed Townsend on July 27, 2024. He spent a couple of weeks on the practice squad before he was released on August 9, 2024.
Collegiately, Townsend played four seasons at the University of British Columbia (2019, 2021-23) making 130 tackles (67 solos, 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 solos, 43 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble in 12 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. In 2024, he appeared in two preseason games. The Ticats released him on June 1, 2024, and he returned to Alberta for his final collegiate season.
Collegiately, Giustini played five seasons at the University of Alberta (2019, 2021-24) making 149 tackles (112 solos, 37 assists), one tackle for loss, seven interceptions for 42 yards, 17 pass breakups, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, completing two passes for seven yards, one carry for -2 yards, punting the ball 147 times for 5,784 yards (39.3 AVG) with a long of 69 yards, three touchbacks, 20 from inside the 20-yard line, 22 for 50-plus yards, 141 kickoffs for 8,344 yards (59.2 AVG), 19 touchbacks, and converted 80 of 109 field goals (73.4%) with a long of 51 yards in 43 games for the Golden Bears.
In 2023, Giustini made 48 tackles (35 solos, 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 AVG), five touchbacks, and converted 27 of 37 field goals (73%) with a long of 49 yards in 10 games. He was named a Canada West All-Star and Second Team USports All-Canadian.
In 2024, Giustini made 43 tackles (28 solos, 15 assists), one interception for 22 yards, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, punting the ball 43 times for 1,852 yards (43.1 AVG), three touchbacks, 10 from inside the 20-yard line, 9 from 50-plus yards, 30 kickoffs for 1,792 yards (59.7 AVG), six touchbacks, and made 13 of 19 field goals (68.4%) with a long of 51 yards in eight games.
