Canadian Hockey League Finals Set: Road to Memorial Cup
Canadian Hockey League Finals: London/Niagara (OHL), Rouyn-Noranda/Shawinigan (QMJHL), Brandon/Seattle (WHL)
Canadian Hockey League Finals are set to begin this week as six teams battle it out to see who will join host Red Deer (WHL) for the 98th annual Memorial Cup between May 19-29.
Winners from each league (QMJHL, OHL, WHL) will meet to determine which junior team is the best in the country. Host Red Deer Rebels should be competitive having made it to the WHL Conference Finals before falling 4-1 to Brandon.
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Predictions Review:
Round 1 – 6/8
Round 2 – 4/4
Round 3 – 2/2
Round 1 – 6/8
Round 2 – 3/4
Round 3 – 1/2
Round 1 – 6/8
Round 2 – 1/4
Round 3 – 2/2
Total – 31/42
* indicates 2016 draft-eligible prospect, unless another year is specified. Drafted NHL Prospects will have their respective teams or draft year (if 2017 or later) in parentheses
Canadian Hockey League Finals: QMJHL – Rouyn-Noranda Huskies vs. Shawinigan Cataractes
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Two Quebec powerhouses meet in the Finals as both dominated in 2015-16.
Shawinigan should give Rouyn-Noranda a challenge in each game, but it shouldn’t be surprising if the Huskies wrap this series up quickly.
Rouyn-Noranda vs. London in the Memorial Cup would be a must-watch game.
Notable Players:
Timo Meier, Rouyn-Noranda (SJ) – 14gp 18pts
Jean-Christophe Beaudin, Rouyn-Noranda (COL) – 15gp 19pts
Francis Perron, Rouyn-Noranda (OTT) – 13gp 24pts
A.J. Greer, Rouyn-Noranda (COL) – 15gp 15pts
Martins Dzierkals, Rouyn-Noranda (TOR) – 15gp 11pts
(D) Jeremy Lauzon, Rouyn-Noranda (BOS) – 9gp 8pts
Julien Nantel, Rouyn-Noranda (COL) – 15gp 7pts
* (D) Jacob Neveu, Rouyn-Noranda – 15gp 5pts
Dmytro Timashov, Shawinigan (TOR) – 16gp 24pts
*Alexis D’Aoust, Shawinigan – 16gp 21pts
Anthony Beauvillier, Shawinigan (NYI) – 16gp 26pts
Gabriel Gagne, Shawinigan (OTT) – 16gp 19pts
* (D) Samuel Girard, Shawnigan – 16gp 18pts
Dennis Yan, Shawinigan (TB) – 15gp 12pts
* Brandon Gignac, Shawinigan – 15gp 14pts
* (D) Gabriel Sylvestre, Shawinigan – 16gp 4pts
Goalies:
Chase Marchand, Rouyn-Noranda
14gp 11w 1.13GAA .955 save percentage
Philippe Cadorette, Shawinigan
16gp 12w 2.65GAA .913 save percentage
Prediction: Rouyn-Noranda wins series 4-1
Canadian Hockey League Finals: OHL – London Knights vs. Niagara Ice Dogs
After dispersing of the Barrie Colts in quick fashion, the Niagara Ice Dogs set their sights on OHL powerhouse London Knights. Much like the QMJHL Finals, Niagara can challenge London game-to-game, but may ultimately fall short in a quick series. The Ice Dogs are a great team; the only problem, the Knights may be the best team in Canada.
Notable Players:
Josh Ho-Sang, Niagara (NYI) – 13gp 21pts
(D) Vince Dunn, Niagara (STL) – 8gp 10pts
Pavel Jenys, Niagara (MIN) – 13gp 13pts
Brendan Perlini, Niagara (ARZ) – 12gp 9pts
Ryan Mantha, Niagara (NYR) – 13gp 8pts
(D) Aaron Haydon, Niagara (DAL) – 13gp 4pts
Graham Knott, Niagara (CHI) – 13gp 4pts
(D) Blake Siebenaler, Niagara (CLB) – 13gp 6pts
(D) Josh Wesley, Niagara (CAR) – 13gp 4pts
Mitch Marner, London (TOR) – 14gp 37pts
*Matthew Tkachuk, London – 14gp 33pts
Christian Dvorak, London (ARZ) – 14gp 26pts
* Cliff Pu, London – 14gp 11pts
(D) J.J. Piccinich, London (TOR) – 14gp 9pts
* (D) Victor Mete, London – 14gp 7pts
* (D) Olli Juolevi, London – 14gp 11pts
Chandler Yakimowicz, London (STL) – 14gp 4pts
* (D) Brandon Crawley, London – 14gp 3pts
* Max Jones, London – 4gp 2pts
* (D) Nicolas Mattinen, London – 4gp 1pt
Goalies:
Alex Nedeljkovic, Niagara (CAR)
13gp 12w 2.33GAA .918 save percentage
Tyler Parsons, London
14gp 12w 2.27GAA .924 save percentage
Prediction: London Wins Series 4-2
Canadian Hockey League Finals: WHL – Brandon Wheat Kings vs. Seattle Thunderbirds
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Not only does Brandon feature high-end NHL prospects, but a few undrafted teenagers who could be taken very high in the next year or two.
2017 draft-eligible center Nolan Patrick has stepped his game up of late, now tied for the team points lead with John Quenneville.
There’s a good chance the Wheat Kings move on, and if that’s the case, it could be an early audition for Patrick to cement his name at the top of the 2017 draft class.
Notable Players:
John Quenneville, Brandon (NJ) – 16gp 24pts
*Nolan Patrick, Brandon (2017) – 16gp 24pts
Reid Duke, Brandon (MIN) – 16gp 20pts
Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon (FLA) – 16gp 20pts
* (D) Kale Clague, Brandon – 16gp 14pts
(D) Ivan Provorov, Brandon (PHI) – 16gp 10pts
* Tanner Kaspick, Brandon – 16gp 9pts
Matthew Barzal, Seattle (NYI) – 13gp 19pts
(D) Ethan Bear, Seattle (EDM) – 13gp 15pts
Keegan Kolesar, Seattle (CLB) – 11gp 10pts
Ryan Gropp, Seattle (NYR) – 6gp 5pts
Goalies:
Jordan Papirny, Brandon
16gp 12w 2.89GAA .897 save percentage
Landon Bow, Seattle
13gp 12w 1.54GAA .936 save percentage
Prediction: Brandon Wins Series 4-2
Next: NHL Mock Draft 4.5: Rounds 1-7
Projected Memorial Cup Participants:
Red Deer (Host), Brandon, London, Rouyn-Noranda