The 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup is set to kick off on Friday night in Red Deer, Alberta when the host Rebels take on the Ontario Hockey League Champion, London Knights. After an epic 2015 Memorial Cup Championship that saw the OHL’s Oshawa Generals defeat the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets in Overtime, the 2016 tournament looks to bring similar edge of your seat action. With arguably the most intriguing field of teams possible in the tournament, expect a combination of high flying offensive minded hockey and hard hitting low scoring hockey. Yes this tournament will feature both. All four sides have the ability to play run-and-gun hockey, possesses lethal power plays and a bevy of individual talent. But all four sides also boast stout defensive units and goaltenders with the capability of stealing the show. With that all being said here is our 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup Preview article.
London Knights (OHL)
Regular Season: (51-14-2-1)
Playoffs: Owen Sound 4-2, Kitchener 4-0, Erie 4-0, Niagara 4-0
Playoff Scoring Leaders: Mitch Marner (18-16-28-44), Matthew Tkachuk (18-20-20-40), Christian Dvorak (18-14-21-35)
Goaltending: Tyler Parsons – 18 GP (16-1-1-0) – 2.15 GAA – 0.925 Save % – 1 SO
NHL Prospects: Mitch Marner (TOR), Christian Dvorak (ARZ), JJ Piccinich (TOR), Chandler Yakimowicz (STL), Daniel Bernhardt (NYR), Kole Sherwood (CBJ)
NHL Draft Eligible: Matthew Tkachuk (LW), Olli Juolevi (D), Cliff Pu (C), Max Jones (LW), Tyler Parsons (G), Victor Mete (D), Nicolas Mattinen (D)
The London Knights enter the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup winners of twelve straight games, sweeping their way through the Western Conference Semi-Final and Finals, along with the OHL league Championship series against the Niagara IceDogs. The Knights faced little resistance on route to their third league championship over the last five seasons, with the exception of a pesky Owen Sound Attack squad who were able to steal two games from the Knights during their first round playoff series. London brings a deep and talented team to Red Deer. A team that features arguably the top line in the Canadian Hockey League in Mitch Marner, Christian Dvorak and Matthew Tkachuk. The three talented point producers combined for 60 of the Knights 84 goals for throughout their run to the J. Ross Robertson Cup. While the potent trio off gifted forwards will be a load for any team to handle, the Knights depth is what truly makes them as good as they are. A team that can roll four lines and three D-Pairings, London boasts high end talent throughout the lineup.
Offensively the Knights do rely on their “Big Three” of Marner, Tkachuk and Dvorak, however they don’t necessarily have to as their depth can be overwhelming at times. With the likes of Aaron Berisha, JJ Puccinich and Max Jones all recording 50 or more points this season the Knights secondary scoring is argubably the best of any team in the tournament. But it doesn’t end there as veteran Owen MacDonald, Kole Sherwood and 2016 NHL draft eligible Cliff Pu have also all been regular offensive contributors throughout both the regular season and playoffs. Slowing down the high flying Knights will be a difficult task as their offensive attack comes at you in waves and it doesn’t stop. A team that plays with excellent speed and skill, London has the ability to put up crooked numbers on an opponent at the drop of a hat. The Knights become even more lethal on the man advantage making it crucial for opposing teams to stay out of the penalty box, as games can be put out of reach early on if opposing teams cannot stay composed.
Defensively speaking the Knights are no slouches, boasting a team and versatile back end, London possesses defensemen who can shut you down offensively along with defensemen who have the ability to create offensive from the back end. The depth and versatility of the Knights defense core is hard to ignore, with the likes of Ollie Juolevi, Chris Martnent, Jacob Graves and Aiden Jamieson lining the back end you quickly realize why the Knights are so strong alone the blue line. When you mix in offensive minded defensemen Victor Mete along with rookies Nicholas Mattinen and Evan Bouchard there is little doubt within the Knights defense core. London allowed just 40 goals over 18 playoff games and while that does have a lot to do with the stellar goaltending of Tyler Parsons, it also speaks to the shutdown ability the defense core possesses. With an excellent balance of size, skill, speed, youth and veteran leadership, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more versatile defense core at the 2016 Memorial Cup.
In goal the Knights are led by eighteen year old Tyler Parsons. While goaltending may have been an early season question mark for the Knights, Parsons quickly put an end to those concerns going an impressive 37-9-2-1 through 49 regular season appearances. Parsons regular season was just the start of what has turned out to be a fantastic season for the Chesterfield, Missouri native, as Parsons would go an astonishing 16-1-1-0 through the playoffs. With a stingy 2.15 goals against average and an impressive 0.925 save percentage, Parsons was the backbone of a very strong London Knights squad. Expect Parsons to continue to shine bright through the Memorial Cup, as he looks to hear his name called in the upcoming NHL entry draft as a re-entry goaltender after surprisingly getting passed over in the 2015 NHL draft.
Prediction – Memorial Cup Champion
Red Deer Rebels (Host)
Regular Season: (45-24-1-2)
Playoffs: Defeat Calgary 4-1, Defeat Regina 4-3, Lost to Brandon 4-1
Playoff Scoring Leaders: Adam Helewka (17-9-9-18), Jake DeBrusk (17-8-9-17), Luke Philip (17-4-9-13)
Goaltending: Rylan Toth – 9 GP (3-5-1-0) – 3.19 GAA – 0.905 Save % – 0 SO
NHL Prospects: Haydn Fleury (CAR), Jake DeBrusk (BOS), Michael Spacek (WPG), Conner Bleackley (COL), Adam Helewka (SJ), Adam Musil (STL), Nelson Nogier (WPG)
NHL Draft Eligible: Brandon Hagel (LW), Jeff de Wit (C), Reese Johnson (RW)
The Red Deer Rebels enter the 2016 Memorial Cup Championships as the Host team. The Host team often comes into the tournament as huge underdogs and rightfully so as they will be squaring off against three league champs, however this season the Red Deer Rebels are as strong as any team in the tournament. Red Deer finished the 2015-2016 season with a very impressive 45 wins, only three less then the eventual league champion Brandon Wheat Kings were able to rack up. The Rebels would go on to fall to those same Brandon Wheat Kings in the Eastern Conference final in just five games, however every game with maybe the exception of Game 5 was extremely close and easily could have gone either way. With that being said you can expect the Rebels to be uber competitive, just as the Quebec Remparts were as hosts of the 2015 Memorial Cup Championships.
Offensively the Rebels are lead by a pair of overage forwards in Adam Helewka and Luke Philip. 20-year-old Helewka has been a near dominating presence for the Rebels throughout their playoff run after coming over from Spokane mid-way through the season. A San Jose Sharks prospect, Helewka tallied nine goals and nine assists through seventeen playoff games to lead the Rebels in playoff scoring after recording 45 points in 36 regular season games. Meanwhile 20-year-old Luke Philip has proved to be a dynamic offensive threat since coming over from Kootenay in a late season trade. The veteran of 45 WHL playoff games, Philip has shown an ability to contribute as both a playmaking and goal scoring centre, while also improving the offensive depth of the Rebels. Speaking of offensive depth, we’ve yet to touch on regular season scoring leader Ivan Nikolishin who tallied 82 points in 71 games for the Rebels. Nikolishin came over to the Rebels after a pre-season trade with the Everett Silvertips were he had proved to be an elite playmaking forward, racking up 87 assists through his first two seasons in the WHL. When you factor in the likes of Boston Bruins first round pick Jake DeBrusk and NHL prospects Michael Spacek, Conner Bleackley and Adam Musil, you quickly realize just how deep the Rebels offensive attack is. With the ablity to come at you in waves offensively and the versatility to play nearly any style of play, you can expect the Rebels offense to be tough to contain.
On the back end the Rebels are led by a pair of nineteen year old’s in Carolina Hurricanes first round pick Haydn Fleury and towering two-way defender Colton Bobyk. Both Bobyk and Fleury have been admirable from the start of the 2015-2016 season to this point of the season. Playing in two-way roles, contributing consistently offensively, while remaining two of the teams more high end defenders is no simple task, but one that both players have excelled at. While Fleury is undoubtedly the more notable name having suited up for Team Canada at the World Juniors, Bobyk is certainly a player NHL scouts will have their eye on. A 6’2, 196 pound defender that combines offensive abilities with grit and physicality, Bobyk finished the season with 20 goals and 27 assists along with 96 penalty minutes and a +11 rating. Outside of Fleury and Bobyk expect 19-year-old Winnipeg Jets prospect Nelson Nogier and 20-year-old Kayle Doetzel to play an integral role with the Rebels. Both are defensive defensemen with shutdown capabilities who can be very tough to play against. With the ability to have to pairings of defenders that can go head to head with elite offensive talent from any team across the CHL the Rebels will find themselves in good shape when they take on CHL powerhouses from London, Rouyn-Noranda and Brandon.
The biggest question mark surrounding the Rebels going into the tournament will be in goal. Red Deer kicked of the 2016 playoffs with 19-year-old Trevor Martin tending goal against the Calgary Hitmen. While Martin and the Rebels got past the Hitmen in five games, it was in their second round series against Regina were Martin lost his starting job. Martin was good early, securing two victories, however struggled in his next two starts giving up six goals in a Game 3 loss, before being pulled halfway through game 4. Since then fellow 19-year-old netminder Rylan Toth has taken over. While Toth was able to salvage the second round series against Regina, it wasn’t exactly pretty. Toth went on to start all the Eastern Final games against Brandon, going 1-3-1-0 in the process. Now Brandon was of course the toughest task and Toth’s numbers in the post-season reflect the fact he’s squared off against the tougher competition, however with Martin struggling and Toth not exactly stealing the job, one can only wonder if the Host Rebels will get the goaltending they need when the Memorial Cup kicks off on Friday night.
Prediction – Loss in Tie-Break Game
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Regular Season: (48-18-4-2)
Playoffs: Defeat Edmonton 4-2, Moose Jaw 4-1, Red Deer 4-1, Seattle 4-1
Playoff Scoring Leaders: Nolan Patrick (21-13-17-30), Jayce Hawryluk (21-7-22-29), John Quenneville (21-16-11-27)
Goaltending: Jordan Papirny – 21 GP (16-5-0-0) – 2.93 GAA – 0.897 Save % – 1 SO
NHL Prospects: Jayce Hawryluk (FLA), John Quenneville (NJ), Ivan Provorov (PHI), Reid Duke (MIN), Mitch Wheaton (DET)
NHL Draft Eligible: Kale Clague (D), Tanner Kaspick (C), Ty Lewis (LW), Linden McCorrister (LW)
The Western Hockey League Champion Brandon Wheat Kings come into the 2016 Memorial Cup after moving through the WHL playoffs with relative ease. While their first round series against the Edmonton Oil Kings may have raised some eye-brows, it seemed to act as a wake up call for arguably the CHL’s most talented team, as the Wheat Kings would go 12-3 following their first round series, on route to a WHL championship. The CHL’s most prolific offensive team, scoring a ridiculous 319 goals in 72 regular season games, Brandon can beat you so many ways its hard to even contemplate how to slow this team down. A team that has an abundance of offensive depth, a stout and versatile defense core and strong veteran goaltending, it’s no surprise the Wheat Kings racked up 48 regular season wins and another 16 in the playoffs.
Offensively speaking the Wheat Kings were lead by 2017 NHL draft eligible forward Nolan Patrick who followed up his 102 regular season with a 30 point playoff performance. The 6’3, 195 pound seventeen year old looks well on his way to being the unquestioned first overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft and for good reason as he combines elite hockey sense with high end skill and the ability to make those around him better. Quite the accomplishment for a 17-year-old on a roster that boasts a ton of high end talent. Joining Patrick as a player to watch for the Wheat Kings is 19-year-old Florida Panthers prospect Jayce Hawryluk. Hawryluk finished the season as the Wheat Kings leading scorer with an impressive 47 goals and 59 assists for 106 points, a 41 point improvement on his 2014-2015 totals. Hawryluk followed up his outstanding regular season with another 29 points through 21 post season games. With two 100+ point performers lining their offensive attack the Wheat Kings will be tough to handle, however that’s not the end of their potency. John Quenneville, a first round pick of the New Jersey Devils, Reid Duke, Tyler Coulter, 2016 NHL Draft Eligible Tanner Kaspick and 2017 NHL Draft Eligible Stelio Mattheos join the dynamic 100+ point duo up front, to form a near containable offensive attack.
On the defensive side of the puck the Wheat Kings are know slouch. Led by Philadelphia Flyers first round pick Ivan Provorov and his 73 points, Brandon brings a versatile and effective blue line to the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup. While Provorov’s elite two-way play will undoubtedly be most notable, keep in mind Macoy Erkamps, a 20-year-old Delta, BC native racked up an outstanding 71 points for the Wheat Kings, while remaining an impressive +47. Erkamps improved his offensive output by an astonishing 40 points this season and has drawn the eye of professional scouts. While Erkamps undoubtedly will be playing for a Memorial Cup, continued elite offensive play should earn him a professional contract. Outside of offensive/two-way blue liners Provorov and Erkamps, look for 2016 NHL Draft Eligible Kale Clague and Mitchell Wheaton to be defenders of note. Clague started the season as a sure fire top 10 pick in the upcoming NHL draft, however a slow start to the season saw him slip down many NHL draft rankings. However a strong playoff were he has contributed at both ends of the floor as allowed Clague to re-emerge as a potential Top 20 pick in the coming draft. Meanwhile Mitchell Wheaton and his five years of WHL experience will be invaluable to the Wheat Kings. A former Detroit Red Wings prospect, Wheaton had a strong playoff run for the Wheat Kings, appearing in all 21 games, providing physical stay at home defense.
In goal 20-year-old (’96) goaltender Jordan Papirny will carry the load for the Wheat Kings, just as he’s done all season long. A 6’1, 170 pound athletic netminder from Edmonton, Alberta, Papirny went 31-17-4-2 through the 2015-2016 regular season, finishing the season with an impressive 2.61 GAA and a 0.910 save percentage. While Papirny didn’t exactly improve on those numbers in the playoffs, when he was tested he rose to the occasion, providing the Wheat Kings with the goaltending needed to win a WHL Championship. While the Wheat Kings have the ability to outscore opponents, doing so several times throughout the playoffs and post-season, they will need Papirny to be on his “A” game throughout the Memorial Cup tournament as they now come up against the potent offensive attacks of London, Rouyn-Noranda and Red Deer.
Prediction – Memorial Cup Semi-Finalist
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Regular Season: (54-9-3-2)
Playoffs: Drummondville 4-0, Blainville-Boisbriand 4-1, Moncton 4-2, Shawinigan 4-1
Playoff Scoring Leaders: Francis Perron (18-12-21-33), Timo Meier (18-11-12-23), A.J. Greer (20-12-10)
Goaltending: Chase Marchand – 19 GP (15-3-0-0) – 1.35 GAA – 0.946 Save % – 6 SO
NHL Prospects: A.J. Greer (COL), Martins Dzierkals (TOR), Julien Nantel (COL), Jean-Christophe Beaudin (COL), Timo Meier (SJ), Jeremy Lauzon (BOS), Philippe Meyers (PHI)
NHL Draft Eligible: Peter Abbandonato (C), Jacob Neveu (D), Anthony Wojcik (C), Johnatan Legault (D)
The Canadian Hockey League’s top team throughout the 2016 regular season makes it way to their first Memorial Cup Championship in franchise history. After running rampant over the competition throughout the QMJHL regular season, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies found little resistance throughout their run to the President’s Cup, losing just four games through four rounds of playoff hockey. A team that brings the QMJHL’s most prolific offense, the Huskies were also quiet stingy defensively allowing just 181 goals against through the 68 game regular season, a number that placed them second to only the Gatineau Olympiques. Rouyn-Noranda possesses a ton of high profile offensive and defensive studs, along with a strong netminder, excellent depth and a strong coaching staff who have their team buying into a great system. While a QMJHL team hasn’t won the Memorial Cup since the Halifax Mooseheads did in 2013, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies look to be the leagues best shot at title since that epic run made by Nathan McKinnon and the Halifax Mooseheads.
Up front the Huskies are led by a trio of NHL prospects in Francis Perron, Timo Meier and A.J. Greer. Perron, who is an Ottawa Senators seventh round pick exploded this season for 108 points on 41 goals and 67 assists, showing his versatility as both an elite playmaker and goal scorer. While considered somewhat undersized, Perron plays with know fear and is deceptively strong on the defensive side of the puck. Joining Perron is San Jose Sharks ninth overall pick Timo Meier. Meier had a bit a of a slow start with the Halifax Mooseheads, but upon his trade to the Huskies he broke out in a big way. With 51 points in 29 regular season games, Meier was a man on a mission on many of nights, a trait that followed him through the QMJHL playoffs. With another 23 points in 18 playoff games, Meier could not be slowed. A player who packs an elite shot along with a level of ruggedness and compete, Meier gives the QMJHL champion a player that opposing teams will have issues containing. The addition of Colorado Avalanches draft pick A.J Greer from Boston University only deepened the Huskies offensive attack, giving the ability to come at you in waves offensively. When you factor in the likes of Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Martins Dzierkals, Colorado Prospects Jean-Christophe Beaudin and Julien Nantel you quickly realize just how potent and deep the Huskies offensive attack is. Mix in the unheralded Gabriel Fontaine, Alexandre Fortin and Mathieu Boucher and this is as deep as any offensively.
On the blue line the Huskies are led by Boston Bruins draft pick Jeremy Lauzon, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Philippe Meyers and veteran offensive defensemen Nikolas Brouillard. Lauzon will indeed return to play in the Memorial Cup after a serious neck injury cost him the majority of the playoffs. The eighteen year old out of Val-d’Or, Quebec was the Huskies leading defensive scorer, tallying 50 points in just 46 games. A player expected to earn a roster spot on Canada’s National Junior team next season, Lauzon is an effective two-way defensemen who skates well and shows the ability to create offense for his teammates. On top of his 50 points this season, Lauzon finished with 80 penalty minutes and a +40 rating, showing his grit and stout defensive play. Meanwhile Philippe Meyers exploded for the Huskies this season. After recording just eight points in 2014-2015, Meyers showed his offensive capabilities this season racking up, 45 points in 63 games. A 6’4, 205 pound, two-way defensemen with a cannon from the back end, this 2016 Memorial Cup tournament will undoubtedly be Meyers coming out party. Meanwhile veteran Nikolas Brouillard will look to capture a Memorial Cup in his final season of junior hockey. While the native of St.Hilaire, Quebec had an opportunity last season with the Quebec Remparts, that fell by the wayside and you can bet its sparked something in Brouillard as he heads into the 2016 Memorial Cup tournament. A pure offensive defensemen who recorded 59 points split between Quebec and Rouyn-Noranda, Brouillard will be looked to provided that added punch of offense from the back end.
In goal veteran overage netminder Chase Marchand leads the way. A goaltender who has bounced around in his Major Junior career, playing on four teams in four years, including a stop in the OHL with the Mississauga Steelheads, Marchand has emerged as one of the CHL’s most intriguing undrafted/unsigned goaltenders. Finishing atop the QMJHL in goals against average, 2nd in save percentage and fourth in wins, Marchand has the ability to steal a game or games for the Huskies in this short tournament. A goaltender with so much on the line, expect the Huskies to get the very best out of Chase Marchand as he looks to not only close out his junior career with a Memorial Cup, but a professional contract as well.
Prediction – Memorial Cup Finalist
2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule:
Round-Robin Game 1 – Friday May 20 – London Knights vs. Red Deer Rebels – 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)
Round-Robin Game 2 – Saturday May 21 – Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 5:00 pm (7:00 pm Eastern)
Round-Robin Game 3 – Sunday May 22 – Red Deer Rebels vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies – 5:00 pm (7:00 pm Eastern)
Round-Robin Game 4 – Monday May 23 – Brandon Wheat Kings vs. London Knights – 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)
Round-Robin Game 5 – Tuesday May 24 – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. London Knights – 8:00 pm (10:00 pm Eastern)
Round-Robin Game 6 – Wednesday May 25 – Red Deer Rebels vs. Brandon Wheat Kings – 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)
Tie-Breaker (if necessary) – Thursday May 26 – 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)
Semi-Final – Friday May 27 – 6:00 pm (8:00 pm Eastern)
Championship Final – Sunday May 29 – 2:30 pm (4:30 pm Eastern)
Written By: Mike Mackley (@Macker61)
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