B.C. Lions bring back Canadian pass catcher Hergy Mayala

The B.C. Lions have brought back Canadian receiver Hergy Mayala.

The 30-year-old had been a free agent since finishing the 2025 season on the practice roster. He was originally signed on August 11, but did not appear in any games.

Mayala was released by the Toronto Argonauts after dressing for the first seven games of 2025, recording three catches for 40 yards. He played 12 games for the Edmonton Elks in 2024, hauling in 41 passes for 503 yards and five touchdowns.

The native of Montreal, Que., was a first-round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft and had a strong rookie year with the Calgary Stampeders, making 38 receptions for 562 yards and five touchdowns. He played one more season in Calgary before stops in Montreal and Hamilton in 2022 and 2023.

The veteran pass catcher has combined to catch 151 passes for 1,916 yards and 12 touchdowns in 72 regular-season CFL games.

The B.C. Lions finished second in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record and beat the Calgary Stampeders in the West Semi-Final before losing the West Final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nathan Rourke threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts, posting an 11-5 record. He was also named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Lions ranked first in net offence, fourth in net defence, and sixth with a turnover differential of minus-four. James Butler rushed for 1,213 yards, Keon Hatcher led the CFL with 1,688 receiving yards, and Micah Awe led the league with 117 tackles. B.C. finished third in attendance with average crowds of 27,124, which was a 0.9 percent increase from the previous year.