Hamilton Tiger-Cats Add Ex-McMaster Marauder Owen Hubert, Drop Seasoned RB James Butler

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Sign Owen Hubert and Release James Butler

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released James Butler on Thursday, ahead of the free agency deadline on Feb. 11. It took just a few hours for the veteran running back to find a new team.

Owen Hubert Signing

The Ticats announced the signing of Owen Hubert, a former McMaster Marauder, on Thursday.

James Butler took full advantage of his head start on CFL free agency Thursday. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced the release of the veteran running back on Thursday afternoon. He was slated to become a free agent on Feb. 11. Just hours later, the five-foot-eight, 215-pound Chicago native signed with the B.C. Lions, the team he began his CFL career with in 2021.

Butler's Career

JB's track record as a proven runner in this league speaks for itself," Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a statement. "Both his pass protection and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield make him a great fit for our offence. We are happy to have him back."

Butler, 29, appeared in 11 regular-season games last year, rushing for 522 yards with two TDs while adding 45 catches for 372 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Greg Bell established himself as Hamilton's starting running back.

Hubert and Waege Signings

Hamilton also released American defensive lineman Trevon Mason while signing Canadian Owen Hubert and import Spencer Waege, both also defensive linemen. In a news release sent Thursday, the Ticats said Hubert played 27 games over four seasons at McMaster University between 2019 and 2023.

Conclusion

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats made significant moves in the off-season, releasing James Butler and signing Owen Hubert and Spencer Waege to bolster their defensive line. The CFL landscape continues to shift as teams prepare for the upcoming season.