Montreal Alouettes safety Nate Beauchemin said McMahon Stadium feels like home as the team, listed as the visiting side, prepares to face the Edmonton Elks in Sunday’s Grey Cup.
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Montreal Alouettes safety Nate Beauchemin described this week as a homecoming while preparing for Sunday’s Grey Cup against the Edmonton Elks, with Montreal officially the visiting team at McMahon Stadium.
Beauchemin, 23, was born in Calgary and played university football at the University of Calgary, where he was the country’s top university defensive player in 2024 and a three-time Academic All-Canadian.
He was selected as the 14th overall pick in the 2025 CFL draft. After playing mainly special teams as a rookie, Beauchemin finished the 2026 regular season with 61 defensive tackles, four interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown.
Speaking after practice, Beauchemin said being able to return for the Grey Cup and have family and friends in the stands is “just a blessing.”
Beauchemin said he understands the challenges of playing at an aging McMahon Stadium, noting it is affected by wind, while adding that “the weather this week has been absolutely beautiful.”
On the stadium itself, he said, “Having the new turf, it’s much better than when I was here but it’s just like home. If anything this is the stadium that I would rather play in.”
The Alouettes are entering the Grey Cup after losing the 2025 Grey Cup to Saskatchewan. Linebacker Geoffery Cantin-Arku said the loss left a clear goal for the offseason and added that “anything short of the Grey Cup is a disappointment for this organization.”
Defensive back Tyrice Beverette said the defeat left a “bad taste,” describing it as “like a break up” that has stayed with the team. Head coach Jason Maas said the only negative from last year’s Grey Cup effort was the score and that “result helped propel us to where we are today.”
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