Having hosted just nine years ago, the London organizing committee was intent on making the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup bigger and better. There’s a great buzz about town with signage everywhere, including the sidewalks. The square block around Budweiser Gardens has been closed-off to allow for more tenting, to enhance the fan experience.
The official kick-off took place with the BMO Opening Gala at the London Convention Centre Thursday night. Here’s a few news and notes from the evening:
- This video should be viewed by all Canadians. It was shown at the Opening Gala Thursday night, and is a poignant reminder of what the Memorial Cup is intended to memorialize.
- Brendan Shanahan’s speech at the Opening Gala was edgy in that he advised players to do whatever it takes to win.
- Robbie Shremp and David Bolland have been seen around the Budweiser Gardens.
- Each of the four teams took the ice at Budweiser Gardens Thursday.
- There are plenty more tents than 2005 so as to accommodate fans who don’t have access to tickets.
- The auxiliary events are plentiful. Consult this list if you’re in the London area.
The Participants
As always, there’s great intrigue when teams from each of the three CHL member leagues meet at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. This year’s edition features four franchises that have all been to a Cup within the last 13 years. Here’s a few notes from each of the participants.
London Knights
- The Knights are making their third straight appearance in tournament. They dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to host Shawinigan 2-1 in 2012. The Knights fell by the same score to Portland in the 2013 semi-final.
- Yoga was part of London’s training regimen during their 34 day layoff.
- Anthony Stolarz has played in just 8 games since January 17th.
- Christina Dvorak is expected to be in the lineup for London Friday. He won’t get past the second round in the 2014 NHL draft.
- Ex NHL’er Jeff Hackett was brought in to give the London goalies another voice alongside goalie coach Bill Dark.
Val d’Or Foreurs
- The Val d’Or Foreurs are making their first trip to the big dance since 2001. That year, Claude Bouchard lead the Foreurs to the final in Regina before losing out to Red Deer. Current GM Alex Rouleau was a member of that team; at 30 he’s the youngest GM in the CHL.
- Foreurs captain Samuel Henley remembers lining up for tickets with his dad when Val d’Or was in the President’s Cup in 1998 and 2001.
- Head Coach Mario Durocher coached the Victoriaville Tigres to the Memorial Cup in 2002, when Guelph hosted the tournament.
- Due to injuries, defeneman Guillaume Gelinas played forward for most of his rookie season in Val d’Or in 2009-10.
- Pierre-Maxime Poudrier’s brother Loik won the Memorial Cup with Shawinigan in 2012.
Guelph Storm
- The Guelph Storm hosted in 2002 and just two years later made it back to the Mastercard Memorial Cup in Kelowna. The Storm went winless and is making it’s first trip back in a decade.
- Rarely does Scott Kosmachuk get mentioned as one of Guelph’s stars, yet he lead the team in scoring this year with 101 points, finishing a goal shy of 50.
- Storm goalie Justin Nichols plays ball hockey and lacrosse—but neither one in goal. He credits lacrosse for being very helpful in his goaltending.
- Having grown up in the game, winger Kerby Rychel—sone of 1996 Stanley Cup–winner Warren Rychel—has proven to be a subtle, yet strong leader for Guelph.
- Nick Ebert went from first-round prospect to last pick in the 2012 draft. If he continues to play the way he has, he’ll play in the NHL for a Kings team that has taken advantage of some great OHL finds including Trevor Lewis, Tanner Pearson, Jordan Nolan, Tyler Toffoli, Jake Muzzin and Kyle Clifford.
Edmonton Oil Kings
- The Edmonton Oil Kings played Portland in each of the last three Ed Chynoweth Cups, winning in seven games in 2012, losing in six games in 2013 and rebounding to win again in seven games this season. They’ll ice a team that includes first-round picks Griffin Renihart (NYI), Curtis Lazar (OTT) and Henrik Samuelsson (PHX).
- Oil King’s defenceman Griffin Reinhart getting hurt and missing last year’s playoffs seems a blessing in disguise for all parties involved. The Islanders might’ve rushed them into their lineup before he was ready, leaving the Oil Kings with a huge void in their lineup. As it’s worked out, Griffin and his team have benefitted from his increased minutes.
- Luke Bertolucci’s goal in game 3 against Portland may have turned the entire series around. The Oil Kings were down 2-0 in the series and 2-0 in the game before Bertolucci’s brilliance.
- The Oil Kings were the happy-to-be-there team in 2012, when they went 1-2 with a -5 goal differential. The 2014 edition, however, came to win.
