The MasterCard Memorial Cup and the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
The Memorial Cup is the Canadian Hockey League’s most prestigious trophy which was presented for the 91st time this season to the Windsor Spitfires at the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament. The 2009 NHL Entry Draft provided no shortage of ties to the annual event that brings together the champions of all three regional leagues.
Prior to this season, the Western Hockey League had consecutive champions including the Vancouver Giants in 2007, and the Spokane Chiefs in 2008. Evander Kane, taken with the fourth overall pick by the Atlanta Thrashers, was on the Giants roster as a 15-year-old and certainly gained some valuable winning experience.
The same can be said for players such as Jared Cowen, selected ninth overall by the Ottawa Senators, a member of the Chiefs team last season along with Levko Koper (seventh round to Atlanta). “Obviously last year when we won, that was a great experience for everyone on the team” said Cowen. “It did a lot for all of us, especially me learning how to win playing all of those games in the playoffs.”
This season, five players from the Spitfires were selected in the draft including the 11th overall selection to the Nashville Predators, defenceman Ryan Ellis. The WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets produced three draft picks as did the QMJHL Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs, headlined by Dmitry Kulikov, the 14th overall selection to the Florida Panthers.
The host Rimouski Oceanic had two players represented in Montreal, including Jordan Caron who was selected 25th overall by the Boston Bruins. “I think it was great, playing against the toughest teams in the CHL” said Caron. “The crowds in Rimouski were unbelievable and it was a very nice experience to play with Rimouski.”
There are other benefits to playing an extended season leading up to the draft. Players like Ellis spent time focusing on his game and not necessarily draft position. “I didn’t have to think about it as long as some of the other guys who were thinking about it for a few months, I had playoffs to worry about” said Ellis.
As for Spitfires teammate Jesse Blacker, selected 58th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, the event may have driven his draft profile higher. “Playing a little bit more than everyone else I think people got to see me a bit more which may have helped” said Blacker. “Winning a Memorial Cup is another great moment in my life and to do that and get drafted in the same year is unbelievable.”
An early connection can be made between the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup as it shifts next season to Brandon, home of the Wheat Kings. The host club is now home to first round draft picks Brayden Schenn, selected fifth overall to the Los Angeles Kings, and Scott Glennie, who went eighth overall to the Dallas Stars.
“The Wheat Kings have only been good to me since I’ve been there” said Glennie. “It’s a great organization and it’s going to be great for the city and fans to be hosting the Memorial Cup. As a team, I think we have to be looking at winning that and next year is going to be a great year for me and the rest of my teammates and fans.”
For more information please visit www.mastercardmemorialcup.com
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Photo by Aaron Bell/CHL