Stewart came off the bench last season and rushed for 761 yards and four

 The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed import import running back James Berezik, non-import fullback Samuel Fournier, import defensive back DeWayne Lewis, import defensive end Jermaine McElveen and import defensive end Matt Oh. . Berezik, a native of Fraser, Michigan, set Grand Valley States career rushing yards record with 3,630 over three seasons, along with 33 total touchdowns.  He was named the GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year and earned first-team All-GLIAC status in 2009.  Fournier returns for his second stint with the Ticats after being selected by the Ticats in the third round (19th overall) of the 2010 CFL Draft. the  native of Lacolle, Quebec, spent a majority of the 2010 season on the Ticats practice roster before being claimed by the Edmonton Eskimos on October 21.  He spent the entire 2011 season on the injured list. Lewis, of Lubbock, Texas, gained experience with the NFLs Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars after making 199 tackles and six interceptions at Southern Utah. Chicago native McElveen spent the last four seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, totaling 78 tackles, 10 quarterback sacks and five forced fumbles in 52 games.  He earned Grey Cup rings with Montreal in 2009 and 2010.  Oh, a native of Coppell, Texas, made 75 tackles and six tackles for a loss at Dartmouth. The Ticats also announced that they released import defensive back Shawn Abuhoff, import defensive back Justin Boddie and import quarterback Sedrick Harris. The Ticats also announced that import running back Terry Grant has been added to the nine-game injured list. . -- Gary Etcheverry is out as the head football coach of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. . PETERSBURG, Fla. . Scott Cullen looks at two competitive games in the NHL playoffs Monday. FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEATThe Washington Capitals played a bend-dont-break defence for 59:53, but the New York Rangers scored a late power play goal and another in overtime to escape with the Game Five win, taking a 3-2 lead in the series. . PETERSBURG, Fla. BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Panthers have listed running back Jonathan Stewart as questionable for Sundays season opener at Tampa Bay. Stewart has been nursing an ankle injury since Carolinas third preseason game against the New York Jets and has not practiced fully since the injury last month. Despite the numerous options the Panthers have in the backfield to replace Stewart in his absence, coach Ron Rivera feels optimistic about Stewarts chances on playing. "We do feel pretty good about Jonathan after hearing the progress I was told today," Rivera said after the teams practice at IMG Academy in Bradenton, where the team has been practice since the Democratic National Convention is in Charlotte. "There are reasons for optimism, but well probably wait till Sunday morning to make the call. But we like his progress, thats why were optimistic." Stewart came off the bench last season and rushed for 761 yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers, earning a five-year contract extension in training camp. Regardless, DeAngelo Williams will start at running back as usual for the Panthers. Stewart is often used as to spell Williams and in third down situations. Despite playing in a reserve role,, Stewart wound up with more touches than Williams last year because he was so valuable as a receiver. . "When you have a lateral sprain, as he does, the biggest thing you worry about is if he can cut," Rivera said. "Hes been doing that very nicely and hes been planting that leg, so he looked pretty good. However, with the rotation of backs we have to use back there, were confident to go if hes not ready Sunday." The Panthers have the option to rely more heavily on Williams, who had 836 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011, and newcomer Mike Tolbert, who had 490 yards and eight touchdowns for the Chargers last season. Although Tolbert is listed as a fullback, hes more than capable of carrying the load. Carolina is also likely to utilize reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Cam Newton, who hurt the Buccaneers on the ground last season, including a 49-yard touchdown run. Newton threw for four TDs and ran for four more last season as Carolina twice routed their division rival. Williams has also had great success against Tampa Bay in the past, racking up three separate 100-plus-yard performances, including 186-yard performance against the Buccaneers in 2008. ' ' '