If you still need proof that Landon DuPont is exceptional, just listen to a coach who tried to slow down the Everett Silvertips' star defenceman in the WHL playoffs.
Penticton Vees GM/head coach Fred Harbinson learned a thing or two about DuPont during his impressive expansion team's four-game series loss to the Silvertips in the Western Conference final.
"In 2017, my team got a chance to play against Cale Makar (at the national junior A championship) and you could see that he was at a different level; Landon is a year younger and is actually more dynamic, and powerful as you can be in all areas of the game," Harbinson said via text to Sportsnet this week.
"He has elite hockey IQ, ... his skating, passing, shooting or closing and containing his opponents are all done with explosiveness."
Over the next 10 days, DuPont will get the chance to showcase those skills on his biggest stage yet.
DuPont, who turns 17 next week, is one of the marquee players at this year's Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C. Allowed to enter the WHL a year early after being granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada in 2024, DuPont was rookie of the year last season before playing a huge role in the Silvertips' run to their first league title this season.
With older, NHL Draft picks dominating the rosters of the four-team Memorial Cup field (which may not be the case going forward with the changing developmental hockey landscape), this will be an excellent chance to see how DuPont looks ahead of what could be a very intriguing year.
DuPont figures to get a serious look for Canada's world junior squad and there's talk he could head to the NCAA this fall. The Calgary product should have a shot to be the first-overall pick in next year's NHL Draft.
He's already proven he can have a huge impact in major-junior hockey. The smooth-skating DuPont had 18 goals and 55 assists for 73 points and was a plus-59 in 63 regular-season games before adding five goals and 18 assists in 23 playoff games.
Of the nine players granted exceptional status in CHL history, DuPont is just the third to play in the Memorial Cup.
Here's a look at the four teams competing in this year's event.
CHICOUTIMI SAGUENEENS
Road to the Cup
The Sagueneens captured their first QMJHL title since 1994 with a six-game series win over the defending champion Moncton Wildcats. Chicoutimi finished one point behind Moncton for top spot in the regular-season standings. The Sagueneens, who are looking to win the Memorial Cup for the first time, went 16-4 overall in the playoffs.
The coach
Chicoutimi GM/coach Yanick Jean is the winningest coach in QMJHL history, but this was his first league title as a coach.
A four-year player with Chicoutimi in the early 1990s (including the Sagueneens' last championship), Jean has been the team's head coach since 2015. He previously coached Victoriaville and Prince Edward Island.
The goaltender
Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman has been tremendous for the Sagueneens. The 2025 fourth-round pick led all Q goalies in the playoffs with a 1.98 goals-against average and was third with a .918 save percentage. He was even better in the regular season (1.52, .940) after a trade from Baie-Comeau. The Senators signed Beckman to an entry-level contract this spring.
The skaters
Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Masse was named QMJHL MVP after scoring a league-high 51 goals. He's heading to the University of Massachusetts next season. Fellow Ducks prospect Emile Guite provides secondary scoring along with Mavrick Lachance, Nathan Lecompte, captain Emmanuel Vermette and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Liam Lefebvre.
On defence, Nashville Predators prospect Alex Huang had two goals and 17 assists in 20 playoff games. Tomas Lavoie (Utah Mammoth) and Alexis Bernier (Seattle Kraken) also are key members of the team's blue line.
KITCHENER RANGERS
Road to the Cup
The Rangers swept the Barrie Colts to seal their first OHL crown since 2008. The top seed in the league's Western Conference, Kitchener went 16-2 in the playoffs. The Rangers went all-in for this season after losing out on their bid to host next year's Memorial Cup to the Guelph Storm. Kitchener is making its seventh Memorial Cup appearance and looking for its third CHL title.
The coach
Finnish head coach Jussi Ahokas is in his third year with the Rangers. The first European-born head coach to work in the OHL, Ahokas won world-junior and under-18 gold with Finland before joining the Rangers. He was OHL coach of the year last season.
The goaltender
Swiss goalie Christian Kirsch has been the main man for Kitchener after being picked in last year's Import Draft. The six-foot-four San Jose Sharks prospect had a 2.32 GAA and .900 save percentage in the playoffs.
The skaters
Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O'Reilly, acquired in a trade-deadline blockbuster with the London Knights, has been the best player in the league. He became just the seventh player in OHL history to win the league's most outstanding player award in the regular season and the playoff MVP trophy.
O'Reilly, sent to the Lightning in the Isaac Howard deal with the Edmonton Oilers, is one of a whopping 12 NHL Draft picks on the team. Highly regarded Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham is also a big threat up front, while Vancouver Canucks pick Gabriel Chiarot provided a boost after being acquired from the Brampton Steelheads.
On defence, Nashville first-round pick Cameron Reid leads the way. Los Angeles Kings prospect Jared Woolley came over in the O'Reilly deal and the Rangers also got a boost when the Senators returned Matthew Andonovski from AHL Belleville during the season.
EVERETT SILVERTIPS
Road to the Cup
Everett finished with a league-best 57-8-2-1 record before going 16-2 in the playoffs, including a five-game series win over the Prince Albert Raiders in the final to give the Washington state team its first WHL title. The Silvertips were determined to make a deep playoff run after bowing out in the second round last season following a league-best regular season.
The coach
Veteran WHL coach Steve Hamilton was hired by the Silvertips prior to last season after the Calgary Hitmen didn't renew his contract. He spent six years with the Hitmen following four seasons as head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings. This year marked his first WHL title as a head coach.
The goaltender
Alaska native Anders Miller, acquired from Calgary in an early-season deal, grabbed hold of Everett's net in the playoffs. He had a 1.91 GAA and .932 save percentage in the post-season.
The skaters
Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen was the league's playoff MVP, becoming just the second European to take that honour along with Leon Draisaitl. Fellow Finn Matias Vanhanen and Detroit Red Wings first-round pick Carter Bear form the rest of an excellent first line. Meanwhile, Florida Panthers prosect Shea Busch had a hat trick in the decisive Game 5 versus Prince Albert.
DuPont quarterbacks the defence and has played an even bigger role following an injury to captain and Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith. Everett's Brek Liske is ranked 44th among North American-based skaters for this year's NHL Draft by Central Scouting.
KELOWNA ROCKETS
Road to the Cup
The host team finished fourth in the Western Conference and lost to Everett in five games in the second round of the playoffs. The Rockets are making their sixth Memorial Cup appearance and are looking for their second title after winning as host in 2004.
The coach
Derrick Martin is in his first full year as head coach after being promoted from assistant to interim head coach midway through last season. He previously was head coach of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Camrose Kodiaks.
The goaltender
Harrison Boettiger joined the Rockets for his NHL Draft year after two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team. He had a 2.83 GAA and .911 save percentage this season.
The skaters
Utah Mammoth first-round pick Tij Iginla will try to join his famous father Jarome as a Memorial Cup champ. Iginla was second in CHL scoring rate at 1.88 points per game and was one of Canada's best players at the world junior championship.
Speaking of the world juniors, tournament MVP Vojtech Cihar joined the Rockets after playing for runner-up Czechia at the event. He averaged more than a point per game in 40 combined regular season and playoff games for Kelowna. Carson Wetsch, another top Rockets forward, signed an entry-level deal with the San Jose Sharks earlier this month.
Vancouver Canucks prospect Parker Alcos is one of the team's key blue-liners, along with overager Mazden Leslie.
