By Nic Sgaggi
Stampeders.com

It will be a reunion of sorts for a handful of once-college teammates on Saturday.

Seven ex-University of Calgary Dinos will be suiting up for the Stamps-Alouettes season-opener, including Calgary’s Anthony Parker, Matt Walter and Dan Federkeil as well as Montreal’s Mike Edem, Michael Klassen, Steven Lumbala and Jerod Zaleski. Jamahl Knowles is also an Alouette and is currently on the practice roster.

“It’s always fun to get on the same field as a bunch of guys that you played with back in the day,” said Stamps’ receiver Anthony Parker. “I’m sure I’m going to give them a little bit of trouble when we get out there. I’m happy for those guys that they’re having success and hopefully we’ll have a good game. ”

The Alouettes have five Dinos alum on their roster — more than any other team in the Canadian Football League. The Stampeders have the second most with three.

“It’s pretty cool when you look at a program like U of C and you see how many guys have been put into the league,” Parker said. “And not just Montreal. Montreal has a bunch, but when you look at other teams there are always a couple guys that have come through the U of C program. It’s just a testament to what that program is doing.”

While Stampeders running back Matt Walter was nostalgic of his time spent with his old teammates, he noted that Saturday’s season-opener won’t be different than any other game.

“I’m looking forward to having them here and hopefully winning,” chuckled Walter. “But we’ve gotten to that position where we’re professionals — we go do what we’re paid to do. Does (playing against them) give me more motivation? No. But maybe it will make the game a little more fun.”

Walter joked about the bond he created over the years with a few members of Saturday’s opposition.

“Most of us played a number of seasons together,” said Walter. “I played with Lumbala, Edem and Klassen. We had some good times, some things I probably shouldn’t say, but we had good times.”

Their college days may be behind them, but Parker admitted there is one motivating factor from the past which they all still share.

“When we were at U of C, we had a great run and won a lot of games,” he said. “But I think the one thing that we all share is that we haven’t won a Vanier (Cup) and I think that’s something that sticks with all of us and probably drives us a little bit more at this level.”

Having played with Klassen and Edem in university, Matt Walter knows what to expect from his old friends should he encounter them on the field.

“Klassen has become a pretty prominent player on their d-line,” said Walter. “He’s a strong guy and Edem has been known to fly around. Between those two, we’ll have our hands full, but we have a good idea of what they like to do and how they play so we’re ready to go.”

Parker won’t be surprised to hear Edem chirping mid-game. He’s excited to see how his new teammates handle his old ones.

“I know Edem likes to talk a little bit so I imagine we’ll get some of that,” said Parker. “He likes to hit too, so I think he’ll be playing up a bit. Klassen is a big, strong body so I imagine there will be some good battles in there between him and some of our young guys up front as well.”