Mark Stephen, Sports Broadcaster

06/16/2026

PRACTICE NOTES, CALGARY STAMPEDERS, 16 JUNE, 2026

+Calgary Stampeders returned after the bye week and practiced at McMahon
+conditions started pleasant, 24C/75F, with blue skies and a gentle breeze
+however, by the end a howling wind descended on the stadium and practice ended a couple of minutes early
+coach Dickenson says he thought there was a little rust on the players today
+defensive linemen Flo Orimolade and Jaylon Hutchings did much of the work during practice
+coach Dickenson says he need to have confidence they can play somewhere between 50-60 snaps before activating them
+Clarke Barnes, receiver, also did work with the top offense, at times
+however, there was a trio of injured linebackers watching the practice
+first round pick Eric Roscoe, Anton Haie and R. J. Moten were observers
+quarterback Vernon Adams and receiver Dejon Brissett were in sync.
+Adams fired a ball downfield, that was slightly off target. Brissett went high into the air to pull the pass down, adjusting his body in the process

06/16/2026

Calgary Stampeders return to the field to prepare for Saskatchewan on the weekend.

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

VIDEO: Have a look at my wrap of the Stamps/WBB game. Like, share, subscribe, leave a comment

Let's digest the Stampeders last second loss to the Winnipeg Blue B...

06/05/2026

THIS DATE IN STAMPEDERS HISTORY

June 5, 2026

This date makes history! This is the earliest date for a Stampeders regular season game. The previous early dates were June 7, 2025, June 7, 2024. The CFL season has steadily moved earlier through the year. Below is a look back at previous opening dates (25-year increments)

2001......opens July 4, 2001
1976.......opens July 20, 1976
1951.......opens August 25, 1951

06/05/2026

GAME NOTES, WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT CALGARY STAMPEDERS

+Calgary Stampeders open the 2026 season with a game vs Winnipeg
+kickoff is 7.00 pm MT
+today is the 81st season opener for Calgary Stampeders
+this is the earliest date on which a Stampeders regular season game has been played (Previous June 7, 2025, June 7, 2024)
+they are seeking their ninth Grey Cup (last title, 2018)
+Calgary will host the Grey Cup for a sixth time (last, 2019)
+Stampeders have won their last two season openers
+they are 40-35-4 in season openers
+this is the first time the Stampeders have opened vs Winnipeg since 2001
+today is game 1,313 in team history
+they have a franchise record of 715-575-22
+this is the 11th time the Stamps and Winnipeg have opened a season. Previous (1947, 1952, 1954, 1961, 1963, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1984, 1993)
+the team has played in 656 home games (415-230-11)
+today marks the 220th meeting between the Stamps and Blue Bombers
+Stampeders hold a 117-102 edge
+in Calgary the Stampeders are 72-37, lifetime vs Winnipeg
+the 72 home wins vs Winnipeg is second among opponent for most wins (Saskatchewan, 80)

06/04/2026

The Stampeders are ready to salute the 2001 Grey Cup champions.

Top photo ( l to r);

GM/HC Dave Dickenson who played with many of the 2001 players but was not on the team
Back to the camera grey track suit on , Ray Jacobs
Facing camera, grey shirt, Scott Diebert
David Heasman, offensive linemen
Red coat, Lisa Dorazio, widow of line coach Dan Dorazio
To her right, Craig Dickenson (not on the 2001 staff, but was with the team in 2002).

BELOW:
James Cotton (Left), Ray Jacobs (right) compare Grey Cup rings.

06/04/2026

INSTA-ANALYSIS: Will be strange seeing the Stamps without Paredes in a game! Secondary juggled as Jackson Sombach draws in at safety shifted Damon Webb to halfback. Chris Fortin wins battle at center as Bryce Bell is sixth OL.

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06/04/2026

Position chart, Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders, June 5, 2026

Big move as place kicker Rene Paredes is placed on the six-game injured list. This means his consecutive game streak of 247 ends. He has played every game since he arrived on July 8, 2011

06/03/2026

PRACTICE NOTES, CALGARY STAMPEDERS, 3 JUNE, 2026

+Calgary Stampeders returned to the outdoors today, practicing at McMahon Stadium
+conditions were pleasant, 13C/55F under a mix of sun and cloud, with a a gentle breeze
+place kicker Rene Paredes did not participate in any drills, leading to speculation he will not play on Friday
+coach Dickenson said Paredes kicked yesterday but say it is 'trending towards him not (Playing)"
+assuming he misses the game, it would snap a streak of 247 consecutive games, dating back to July 8, 2011
+the streak is the second longest in team history (Mark McLoughlin 273)
+receiver Clarke Barnes did not participate in drills suggesting he will not play on Friday
+defensive back Sheldon Arnold watched practice as he awaits surgery on his leg. He suffered the injury in the game in Edmonton.
+quarterback Vernon Adams seemed especially on point
+he fired a pass to receiver Tevin Jones, who fought off close coverage from Adrian Greene
+Adams also unloaded a pass to Dejon Brisset as he went down the sidelines