Who to watch at the Memorial Cup

As discussed on the Sound of Hockey podcast, the Memorial Cup kicks off tonight as the winners of each CHL league, along with the host team, face off for a post season tournament. Prince Albert (WHL), Guelph (OHL), Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL), and Halifax (QMJHL/host) will compete for the opportunity to hoist or, in some situations, break the Memorial Cup Trophy. All games will be on the NHL Network and will provide us an excellent glimpse into watching some elite junior hockey outside of the World Junior Tournament. As an NHL fan, you get to see some future NHLers standout amongst their peers on a big stage.

Prince Albert Raiders

Noah Gregor #18 Center (2016 SJ RD 4) Gregor had 88 points in 63 games during the regular season and had 24 points over 23 games in the playoffs.

Brett Leason #20 Forward (prospect #20 on NA Skaters) Leason led the WHL Champs in points during the regular season with 89 points in 55 games. He pitched in 10 goals during the playoffs.

Brett Leason pulls the moves. What a goal. #SWTP #2019NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/tvhypfIwkx

— caitlin berry (@caitlinsports) January 24, 2019

Ian Scott #33 Goalie (2017 TOR RD 4) Best save % in the WHL playoffs and was second best save % during the regular season (minimum 20 games played).

• Cole Fonstad #24 Left Wing (2018 MTL RD 5)

Guelph Storm

Guelph is absolutely loaded with NHL prospects. 11 players have been drafted by an NHL club and 2 others are listed in the top 150 of North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Habs prospect Nick Suzuki fights off nearly the entire opposition to set up Flyers prospect Issac Ratcliffe's goal. 4-2 Storm after 40. pic.twitter.com/dlX75xYP5B

— TheRenderNHL (@TheRenderNHL) May 7, 2019

• Sean Durzi #6 Defense (2018 TOR-traded to LA RD 2)
• Keegan Stevenson #12 Right Wing (prospect #93 on NA skaters)

Halifax Mooseheads

Benoit-Olivier Groulx #19 (2018 ANA RD 2) – Groulx missed the first 14 games of the playoff but still managed to put up 12 points in 10 games including an over time game winning goal in game 2 of the final.

Jared McIsaac #14 Defense (2018 DET RD 2) – 62 points over 53 games during the regular season. Ended the season second in scoring in the QMJHL for defenseman.

Raphael Lavoie #50 Right Wing (prospect #20 on NA skaters) – this likely first rounder put up 73 points during the regular season. He also pumped 20 goals in 23 games and led the Mooseheads in points and goals during the playoffs.

• Jocktan Chainey #79 Defense (2017 NJD RD 7)
• Arnaud Durandeau #21 Left Wing (2017 NYI RD 6)
• Alexis Gravel #1 Goalie (2018 CHI RD 6)
• Jake Ryczek #16 Defense (2016 CHI RD 7)
• Ostap Safin #48 Right Winf (2017 EDM RD 4)

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies

Noah Dobson #53 Defense (2018 NYI RD 1) Dodson had 36 points in 28 games played during the regular season. 29 points in 20 playoff games. Was named the QMJHL MVP for the playoffs.

Alex Beaucage #16 Right Wing (prospect #63 on NA Skaters) 16 points in 16 playoff games and 39 goalies during the regular season.

Let's revisit this together. Alex Beaucage, take it away. pic.twitter.com/VNGdves9Z9

— Will Scouch (@Scouching) May 14, 2019

Jakub Lauko #13 Left Wing (2018 BOS RD 3) Averaged close to a point per game during the regular season.

• Rafael Harvey-Pinard #11 (undrafted) 40 goals during the regular season.
• Justin Bergeron #4 (prospect #151 on NA skaters)
• Joel Teasdale #24 (undrafted) leading scored for the Huskies in the playoffs.