EDMONTON - Training Camp is in full swing at Foote Field, as the Golden Bears Football program gears up for the 2026 Canada West season. 

The Bears will begin their campaign on September 4th, as they welcome the Regina Rams to Foote. Entering season two under head coach Stevenson Bone, the Bears are ramping up practice in the lead up to one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. The 2025 season opener saw over 4,500 people sellout Foote Field, with a similar crowd expected this fall. 

The Bears boast a blend of veteran talent, highly touted recruits, and a championship-calibre coaching staff. The roster features high-caliber talent on both sides of the ball, anchored by CFL draft pick and team captain Matthew Ljuden on the offensive line, linebacker Matteo Trasolini on defence, and high-upside transfer Christian Veilleux taking the reins at quarterback.

"Our team has the ability to be as good as they would like to be in 2026. What we need to do is get better each and every single chance we have the privilege of going out on the field," said Bone. "Going into year two everyone should be more comfortable with the way we need to practice, the culture of our program and making sure we maximize our time together."

Prior to the CW season kicking off in early September, the Bears will head to Saskatoon for a pre-season tilt against the defending Hardy Cup Champion Huskies on August 27th. 

Along with the home opener against Regina, the Bears will also host Saskatchewan (September 18th), Manitoba (October 2nd), and Calgary (October 31st) this season. 

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2026 PLAYERS TO WATCH

OFFENCE

Name: Christian Veilleux
Position: QB
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Christian has done a great job of getting here, getting to know his teammates and developing early chemistry with them. He's acclimated himself really well. He should be a professional football player at some point, and I know everyone is looking forward to seeing what he can do on the field. We've seen glimpses of it already in camp and I know he is eager for September 4th."

Name: Seth Poelzer 
Position: RB
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Seth has some of the best vision I've seen from a young running back at this level. He had a great rookie campaign for us, and we're excited to see what he can do with the ball in his hands after another year of development in our strength and conditioning program under Coach Smith Wright." 

Name: Isaiah Edwards
Position: Receiver
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Isaiah has made a lot of contested catches early in camp. He wins really well in man-to-man routes. He's stepping into Kolby Hurford and Carter Kettyle's former position, and we expect him to contribute for us this year." 

Name: Matthew Ljuden
Position: Offensive Line
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Matt comes back after being a CFL draft pick in 2026, before going through training camp with the Edmonton Elks. Matt is one of our team captains and a leader on the offensive line. He's a former U SPORTS All-Canadian and a guy we have great expectations for this season. He can anchor us, and get us in the right run plays and pass protection. 

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DEFENCE

Name: Matteo Trasolini
Position: Linebacker
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Matteo had some really quality starts last year, and having him coming back for us as a captain this year is huge. He spent time at the U SPORTS East West Bowl and we think very highly of Matteo. He's fast, athletic, can tackle well and brings the physicality that has become known with the Golden Bears linebacker crew." 

Name: Fikayo Aroniyo
Position: Defensive End
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Fikayo is really good as a pass rusher. He can beat guys with speed around the edge and played for us a lot as a freshman. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do in his second year as a Golden Bear." 

Name: Tobi Ajayi
Position: Defensive Line
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Tobi plays inside a little bit more on the line, and when he gets one-on-one with guards, I'm really looking forward to seeing what he can do. Not only from a pass-rush standpoint, but also defending the run." 

Name: Tanner McBride
Position: Defensive Back
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Tanner is one of our best overall football players on the team. He can play pretty much any position on the field. He's super athletic, tall, long, lean, can tackle well, is physical and can really run. We think Tanner is going to continue to improve on an already really, really good rookie campaign." 

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IMPACT ROOKIES

Name: Ayden McDonald
Position: Receiver/Returner
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Ayden really impressed us during Spring Camp. He's only gotten more physical and more mature as we're seeing him here now in August. He will push to start right away." 

Names: Maddyn Morin & Cohen Boucher
Position: Linebackers
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Cohen and Maddyn have really progressed. Both come from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Grande Prairie, and we definitely think very highly of how they've been able to acclimate themselves early on the defensive side. You can tell they've worked together so well over the years."

Name: Cole Belcher
Position: Offensive Line
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Coming out of Red Deer, Cole played on Team Alberta and was a massive get for us in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Cole has taken reps on the offensive line with the first group already and we expect Cole to contribute very early."

Name: Kayden Kerntopf
Position: Offensive Line
Head coach Stevenson Bone: "Another person to watch is Kayden Kerntopf, a tackle that we signed out of the Okanagan Sun in BC. He's won a Junior Championship, and knows how to compete at our level right away. He has a great head on his shoulders and also spent time this season with the BC Lions in their training camp. He will compete to play immediately."