It’s all about a championship.

One of the Stampeders’ key free-agent signings in the off-season, defensive linemen Bryan Hall was excited to join the defending West Division champions.

After three successful seasons between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts, Hall had one thing in mind when searching for a new home: a Grey Cup.

“I’m out here ring chasing,” said Hall. “I want to win a Grey Cup and I feel like this is a great team to give me a great opportunity to get me one.”

Hall made one appearance in the Grey Cup back in 2014, but his Tiger-Cats found themselves on the losing end of a defensive battle against the Stamps.

Now on the other side, Hall was excited to get to Calgary and get a taste of his new teammates and coaches. The 6-foot-1, 295 lb. linemen arrived on May 25 and made the rounds, introducing himself to all of the coaches and players.

“I wanted to get in a couple days early and get a feel of the coaches,” Hall said. “I had the opportunity to talk to them on the phone, but I wanted to see them in action while I had a chance during Rookie Camp. Just get used to the playbook and get used to the guys — a lot of guys were here early too, like Josh Bell and Brandon Smith. I’m excited to be here.”

With defensive tackle Junior Turner starting the season on IR, the Stamps will need the 28-year old Hall to get up to speed quick.

In his three seasons in the CFL, Hall has registered 50 tackles, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He’s also no stranger to chasing down some Western QBs as he recorded sacks on Mike Reilly and Jonathan Jennings last season.

Hall joined his new team on the field for the first time today and noticed one big difference from previous camps: the altitude.

“It was good,” Hall said of his first outing. “I’ve got to get used to the altitude out here. Kind of short on my breath, but it was fun.”

“It’s a little higher out here, I can tell you that much.”

While Hall was excited to get on the field with all of the other defensive linemen at camp, he was especially pleased to line up next to friend Micah Johnson.

The two have known each other for a long time, even competing against each other in high school when he was at Paducah Tilghman High School in Paducah, Ky.

“Me and Micah, we’ve known each other since high school. We push each other hard, we’ve been competing with each other our entire life,” Hall said. “Now I’ve got the opportunity to line up next to him, it’s a blessing. Charleston (Hughes) and (Cordarro) Law and all the boys, we’ve got a great D-line.

“I’m just happy to be a part of it.”