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2028 host Remparts have long Memorial Cup history

Matt Tidcombe — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:36:34 +0000

The 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota is headed to Québec City and to be hosted by a Remparts franchise filled with tournament history. One of the most iconic clubs across the CHL, both versions of the Remparts have hoisted junior hockey's most valuable trophy. The first iteration of the squad made three appearances and won in 1971 while the present day franchise has titles from 2006 and 2023 and also played in the 2003 and 2015 tournaments. All in all, Québec City has a longstanding connection to the Memorial Cup, having staged the 1971 championship and hosted the tournament in 1991, 2003, and 2015. The Remparts remain the most recent QMJHL team to win the Memorial Cup. Their 2023 championship capped a record run of four consecutive titles for QMJHL clubs, the longest championship streak by any CHL Member League since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972. https://twitter.com/quebec_remparts/status/2113357979395490289 In 2006, the Remparts fell to Memorial Cup hosts Moncton in the QMJHL Finals but enacted their revenge in the tournament final behind a 6-2 victory. That roster was led by Alexander Radulov - who put up 61 goals and 152 points in the regular season - while the blueline was spearheaded by future San Jose Sharks legend Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Seventeen years later, it was Zachary Bolduc who led the present day iteration of the franchise to a first QMJHL title. Bolduc had 50 goals and 110 points that season while in the QMJHL postseason, James Malatesta had 14 goals in 18 games to be named the Guy Lafleur Trophy winner as MVP. At the 2023 Memorial Cup, Québec went a perfect 4-0 that included a 5-0 victory over Seattle in the final. But perhaps most famously, Patrick Roy was head coach both years. When Québec City hosted in 2015, the Memorial Cup final also marked the final game at the 66-year-old Colisee that was closed after current Tampa Bay Lightning star Anthony Cirelli scored the overtime winner for the Oshawa Generals against the Kelowna Rockets. Their current venue - the Videotron Center - is an NHL-calibre arena that exceed 18,000 attendees. The event will host Game 2 of the 2026 CHLUSA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris later this year and will also welcome the 2027 IIHF Women's World Championship as well as the 2029 World Juniors. What 2028 brings will yet to be seen. Three powerhouse clubs - one each from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL - will join the Remparts for a tournament that will bring the best of the best to the province of Québec. The Memorial Cup will stop first in Guelph next May but once 2028 rolls around, another chapter of history will be made. Dates for the 2028 Memorial Cup will be announced at a later time but fans can sign-up here for ticket and tournament information.

Québec Remparts selected to host the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota

Matt Tidcombe — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:59:37 +0000

The CHL’s championship tournament returns to Québec City for its 108th edition, marking the city’s first time hosting since 2015

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce that the Québec Remparts of the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) have been selected to host the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Québec City, Québec. The 108th edition of the CHL’s championship will take place in the spring of 2028, marking the first Memorial Cup tournament held at Vidéotron Centre. Tournament dates will be announced at a later date. The Remparts envision a celebration that brings generations of fans and alumni together, pairing championship hockey with Québec City’s food, music, and culture. Their goal is to make the tournament an experience the whole community can share, with festivities around Vidéotron Centre welcoming lifelong supporters and new fans alike. MEDIA ASSETS (LOGO, CITY & ARENA PHOTOS AND VIDEOS) “We are excited to bring the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota to Québec City,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “The Remparts and their partners presented a compelling vision backed by a passionate hockey community and proven experience hosting major events. We look forward to delivering an exceptional championship for players and fans while celebrating the city’s hockey heritage and honouring the Memorial Cup’s military roots.” “Québec City is a flagship market for the QMJHL and for all of Canada. I am confident that the Remparts will do an outstanding job of welcoming the fans and everyone involved in the event,” added Mario Cecchini, Commissioner of the QMJHL. “I would like to congratulate the Moncton Wildcats on their excellent bid and the Remparts on being selected as the host city. Martin Tremblay, Tommy Castonguay, Simon Gagné, Nicole Bouchard, Marie-Pierre Simard and the entire Remparts staff put together a strong and compelling bid. I look forward to reuniting with our fans in Québec City in 2028.” “We are very pleased to have been selected as the host team for the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota. Over the past several months, we have worked tirelessly to build a strong bid and were confident in our ability to meet all the requirements,” said Tommy Castonguay, Vice-President of Operations for the Québec Remparts. “During the Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee’s visit last Friday, we were able to demonstrate that this would be more than a hockey tournament. It would also bring the entire community together through a variety of activities, not to mention the attractions our beautiful Québec City has to offer the teams and visitors attending the tournament. An event designed to make history,” he added. Québec was selected following a competitive bidding process that saw the Remparts and Moncton Wildcats named finalists in July. The 2028 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee reviewed formal written bids, heard presentations, and conducted site visits, assessing each bid across four categories: Business Operations; Local Atmosphere, Events & Community Engagement; Event Logistics; and Hockey Operations. The independent five-member committee comprised Dan Marr, NHL Group Vice President – Central Scouting; Charles Perreault, General Manager, RDS; Neil Glasberg, President & CEO, Pinnacle Business Inc., and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d), Canadian Armed Forces Military Police Academy; Donald Beauchamp, Special Advisor, TACT; and Robyn Tingley, Founder and President of consulting company GlassSKY Inc. and former Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, Canadian Army (2019–2022). The CHL thanks the Moncton Wildcats and their community partners for their commitment to the bidding process and their interest in welcoming the Memorial Cup back to Moncton. Québec City has a longstanding connection to the Memorial Cup, having staged the 1971 championship and hosted the tournament in 1991, 2003, and 2015. Across the original and current Remparts eras, the club has won three Memorial Cup titles: in 1971, 2006, and 2023. The Remparts remain the most recent QMJHL team to win the Memorial Cup. Their 2023 championship capped a record run of four consecutive titles for QMJHL clubs, the longest championship streak by any CHL Member League since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972. The city has also welcomed major CHL events, including the 2007 and 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Games and Canada/Russia Series contests in 2004 and 2011. The Remparts will add to that hosting history on December 2, when Vidéotron Centre stages Game 2 of the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris. To celebrate Québec City’s selection, the CHL, QMJHL, and Remparts are planning a community event in November. Further details, including opportunities for fans and media to take part, will be announced once confirmed. As host club, the Remparts will be one of four teams competing in the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, alongside the playoff champions of the QMJHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL). The most recent edition, the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, was held in Kelowna, B.C., where the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Everett Silvertips 6–2 in the final to capture their third Memorial Cup title. The victory marked the OHL’s third consecutive championship, following titles won by the Saginaw Spirit in 2024 and the London Knights in 2025. The 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will be hosted by the Guelph Storm in Guelph, Ontario, from May 20–30, 2027, as the city celebrates its bicentennial. About the Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is the Canadian Hockey League’s iconic championship event, bringing together the league champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host team, in a four-club round-robin tournament to crown the CHL champion. First awarded in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become one of the most storied and prestigious trophies in hockey, shaping more than a century of junior hockey history in North America. Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to honour Canadian soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, the trophy was rededicated in 2010 to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, the Memorial Cup stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride, while showcasing the best junior hockey talent in the world.

Road to 2027 Memorial Cup: 67 reasons why Ottawa is making championship noise

Matt Tidcombe — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:52:53 +0000

The Ottawa 67’s and the OHL playoffs are about as synonymous as Henrik and Daniel Sedin – where one is, you can often expect the other to be nearby. The 2024-25 season was a blip on the radar in that regard, but perhaps it’s what’s given an increased push to a 67’s team that appears on the verge of contending for OHL and Memorial Cup championships. A second-round loss to the eastern conference champion Barrie Colts was nice step forward for the 67’s last season, but it’s also given them extra motivation in their continued pursuit of the ultimate junior hockey hardware. This season hasn’t lacked turnover for the 67’s, who are without seven of their top 12 scorers from a season ago, including their top two. But a 7-1-2-0 start to the campaign has quickly turned things around and brought eyes to the 67’s as a team to be reckoned with in the OHL. Their offseason saw them bring in the experienced Jaiden Newton from the OHL-finalist Barrie Colts, but it’s been the renewed consistency of returning top scorers from a season ago and internal improvement that has played the biggest factor in the 67’s success to date. Their top five scorers are all returning players and have paved the way for 16 points and a third-place eastern conference position after the team's opening 10 games. New York Rangers prospect Spencer Bowes and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Filip Ekberg have led the way with 13 points apiece, while Colorado Avalanche seventh-rounder Ondrej Ruml has more than a point per game on D. After 24 points last year, 2025 OHL Priority Selection third overall pick Brock Chitaroni already has 10 points. And with eight points in 10 games, Nic Whitehead is sitting just beneath the point-per-game mark himself. Beyond the top scoring group, Chase Yanni has brought added offence in his return to Ottawa after a year with Newmarket of the OJHL, and Andrew Laurin, their 2026 first round selection, has been one of the best rookies in the league. While high-end blueliners Kohyn Eshkawkogan and Buffalo Sabres third-rounder David Bedkowski await their offensive breakouts, Ruml and Connor Bewick have led the charge offensively from the back end. And this is all without speaking to Jaeden Nelson, who has established himself as one of the premier OHL netminders and a key cog in the 67’s blueprints for success after winning the Dave Pinkney Trophy (alongside Ryder Fetterolf) last season for the lowest team GAA in the OHL. While the team has relied on returning players from a season ago, a few of them are also top prospects for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. In Chitaroni and Eshkawkogan, the 67’s have two players that NHL scouts will be keeping a close eye on for the upper rounds of next summer’s draft. Jack Johnson could be another name to watch amongst draft-eligible players, and perhaps re-entries like Nelson or Whitehead could make additional noise. The 67’s have displayed patience in their player’s development and confidence in their abilities to successfully take on larger roles, and perhaps that continued approach will be what leads Ottawa to success. With high-end offensive talent, a stable core of defencemen and a rock-solid presence in net, the 67’s don’t appear to be missing much. Add to that their veteran experience and the rapid development of their youth, and it looks like the pieces of the puzzle may be coming together for the 67’s to win their first J. Ross Robertson Cup since 2001, and maybe even their first Memorial Cup since 1999.

2026-27 CHL Top-10 Rankings: Week 5

Matt Tidcombe — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:58:17 +0000

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today unveiled its week 5 edition of the CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2026-27 season. With three victories this week to bring their win streak to nine, the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Guelph Storm (9-2-0-0) remain in the No. 1 spot for the third week in a row. Following them, the OHL’s London Knights (7-1-0-1) leap back to the No. 2 position they held in the season’s first two weeks after three straight wins of their own, and the Québec Remparts (8-2-0-0) of the Québec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) fall to No. 3 after splitting their weekend behind a pair of top-notch goaltending performances from NHL draft-eligible Patrick Déniger. The QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs (10-1-1-0) and Newfoundland Regiment (9-3-1-0) make their first appearances in the CHL Top-10 this season, at No. 5 and 10 respectively, after a pair of perfect weekends. Meanwhile, the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s (7-1-2-0) return to No. 6 after four weeks out of the top 10, and the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs (8-1-0-0) continue their furious climb up the rankings to No. 4 after two weekend victories kept them at the top of the WHL’s western conference. Fans can watch OHL and QMJHL regular-season and playoff games on FloHockey. WHL regular-season games are currently streaming free on YouTube. 1. Guelph Storm (OHL) Victories over Sarnia, Flint and Sudbury last week extended the Storm’s (9-2-0-0) win streak to nine and keep them in the top spot in week five. A 27-save performance from Zach Jovanovski (1.20 GAA and .952 save percentage) and multi-point outings from Ryan Roobroeck (2G-2A) and Vladimir Dravecky (1G-4A) led the way in Sarnia in Wednesday’s 5-2 win, before Owen Griffin (2G-1A) was the overtime hero in their Friday-night matchup against Flint. Then the Storm came back from an early two-goal deficit against Sudbury to win 5-2 for a perfect 3-0 week. A balanced attack (10 scorers on 13 goals) that also included two goals from Tyler Hopkins and three assists from Ethan Czata led them on the offensive side, while their goaltending stood tall again, with Jovanovski and Ben Hrebik (2.50 GAA and .908 save percentage) combining to stop 67 of 73 shots on the week. The Storm will face Kitchener in a home-and-home matchup this week in another edition of the battle of Highway 7. Games this week: @ Kitchener (Oct. 23), vs. Kitchener (Oct. 25) 2. London Knights (OHL) With three wins in three games last week, London (7-1-0-1) has now collected points in four straight and in eight of nine games to lead the OHL in points percentage. Tuesday’s win at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium required shootout heroics from Marcus Nordmark (2G-4A) and Thomas Zocco (3A) for the Knights to pull off a 4-3 win, then the Knights returned home for a 4-1 win over Sudbury in which Nordmark led the way again with three points. Sunday’s 7-1 win over Erie saw two goals apiece from Carson Harmer (3G) and Jaxon Cover (3G-3A) and a four-assist performance from Dallas Stars prospect Ryan Brown (5A). With four points each over three games, Cohen Bidgood (2G-2A) and Cooper McAslan (1G-3A) each had strong weekends themselves. Aleksei Medvedev stopped 50 of the 54 shots he faced – as well as two shootout attempts – in two victories, while Brian Cooke stopped 28 of 29 to earn Sunday’s win in Erie. With their second consecutive three-game week, the Knights schedule won’t slow down quite yet. They’ll head down Highway 402 on Wednesday to take on Sarnia and then host them on Friday. A Saturday-night battle against Owen Sound at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre will cap off London’s weekend. Game this week: @ Sarnia (Oct. 21), vs. Sarnia (Oct. 23), @ Owen Sound (Oct. 24) 3. Québec Remparts (QMJHL) While their weekend started with their seven-game win streak being snapped by Gatineau, the Remparts (8-2-0-0) rebounded with an 8-3 victory over Victoriaville to end it. Patrick Déniger stopped 23 of 24 shots in Friday’s loss, with the only goal against coming on a penalty shot, then he came back with a 32-save performance in Sunday’s win. After being shut out on Friday, their eight-goal outburst came courtesy of two goals from Egan Beveridge, three points from Samuel Sramaty (1G-2A) and Alex Desruisseaux (3A), and a goal and assist each from James Scantlebury, Carter Meyer, Maddox Labre and Mavrick Rousseau-Hamel. This week, the Remparts head northwest for three games in three nights, the first against Rouyn-Noranda and then back-to-back games against the QMJHL-leading Val-d’Or Foreurs. Games this week: @ Rouyn-Noranda (Oct. 23), @ Val-d’Or (Oct. 24), @ Val-d’Or (Oct. 25) 4. Spokane Chiefs (WHL) The Chiefs (8-1-0-0) came away from the week with four points after a 7-1 defeat of Everett – their third win over them this season – and a 3-2 shootout victory in Seattle. Chase Harrington (3G-4A) had a hat trick and five points against Everett, while Owen Martin (4G-2A) had a pair of goals and four points, and Parker Colmer (1G) and Matěj Tománek (1G-1A) each scored their first WHL goals. Saturday’s game in Seattle saw two more goals from Martin and two more assists from Harrington, then Tyus Sparks (3A) scored the only shootout goal between 10 combined shooters on both teams to clinch the victory. Carter Esler (1.53 GAA and .941 save percentage) stopped 58 of 61 shots and all five Thunderbirds in Saturday’s shootout in two wins. The Chiefs will host Portland in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday – their second time playing the Winterhawks twice in two days this season – after sweeping this season’s first edition in early October. Games this week: vs. Portland (Oct. 23), vs. Portland (Oct. 24) 5. Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL) Riding a six-game winning streak and leading the QMJHL, the Foreurs (10-1-1-0) make their season debut in the top 10 this week. A road trip out east last week that included four games – two against teams that have appeared in the top 10 this year – could’ve spelt trouble for the Foreurs, but instead they collected all eight possible points to put them five points clear of Sherbrooke for top spot in the QMJHL’s western conference. They started the week with a 10-0 statement win in Charlottetown that featured Vincent Moreau’s first QMJHL shutout, Jordan Labelle’s first QMJHL hat trick, four points from QMJHL points leader Phillippe Veilleux (4G-4A) and three-point nights from Anthony Paré (1G-3A), Benjamin Cosette Ayotte (3A), Nathan Brisson (4A) and Gabriel Provencher (1G-3A). After scoring twice against the Islanders, QMJHL goal-scoring leader Maxime Sauthier (4G-2A) had three points and one of two shootout goals in Friday’s 4-3 shootout win in Halifax, then Veilleux’s third goal of the weekend gave the Foreurs a 2-1 lead that they never looked back from with less than seven minutes to go in Moncton. Finally, they capped off the weekend with a 3-1 win in Saint John, with Sauthier’s fourth goal of the week proving to be the game winner. In three wins, Moreau (1.83 GAA and .933 save percentage) stopped 67 of 69 shots, with Arseni Radkov (2.32 GAA and .913 save percentage) stopping 33 of 34 shots in Sunday’s win. After their busy week, the Foreurs return home for a pair of behemoth matchups with the No. 3-ranked Québec Remparts. Games this week: vs. Québec (Oct. 24), vs. Québec (Oct. 24) 6. Ottawa 67’s (OHL) Weekend victories over Brampton and Oshawa pushed the 67’s (7-1-2-0) points streak to seven games and win streak to four as they jumped into a conference-leading .800 points percentage. In the first half of the Seaway Shootout in Cornwall on Friday, the 67’s rallied twice from two first-period deficits to defeat the Steelheads 6-2. Ondrej Ruml’s (2G-1A) second goal of the night wound up being the game winner, while Andrew Laurin (1G-1A) and Nic Whitehead (1G-1A) each had two points. Returning home on Saturday to face Oshawa, Spencer Bowes (3G) scored with five minutes left to tie the game and then scored the overtime winner just over a minute into the extra frame. Noah La Gambina stopped 23 of 25 shots in Cornwall on Friday, while Jaeden Nelson (2.24 GAA and .924 save percentage) stopped 22 of 24 on Saturday to put him into a tie for the OHL wins lead with six. The 67’s will take on Kingston in a home and home this weekend, starting at the Slush Puppie Place on Friday night before a Sunday rematch in Ottawa. Games this week: @ Kingston (Oct. 23), vs. Kingston (Oct. 25) 7. Victoria Royals (WHL) After a 5-2 win in Lethbridge on Wednesday to improve their record to 6-1, the Royals (6-3-0-0) dropped the last two games of their eastern road swing to Red Deer and Edmonton, dropping them to the seventh spot in this week’s rankings. Cole Prelusky (3.09 GAA and .902 save percentage) stopped 28 of 30 shots in Lethbridge, while 2027 NHL draft-eligible Ludovic Perreault (2G-1A) had a goal and an assist to lead the way offensively. Two nights later, Perreault scored again while Cameron Schmidt (1G-3A) and Miles Cooper (1G-3A) each had two points in a 9-4 loss to Red Deer. 2024 8^th overall WHL Prospects Draft selection Jacob Schwartz had his first goal of the year to go along with an assist in Sunday’s narrow defeat to Edmonton. Following up a tough finish to the road trip, the Royals will host Kelowna in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday night as they look to get back into the win column. Games this week: vs. Kelowna (Oct. 23), vs. Kelowna (Oct. 24) 8. Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) The Wheat Kings (8-3-0-0) saw their five-game winning streak snapped by Medicine Hat on Saturday but bounced back the next day with a 5-4 overtime win against Prince Albert to hold onto the top spot in the WHL’s eastern conference. Kris Muissu (1G-1A) had Brandon’s only goal in their 8-1 loss to the Tigers, then assisted on the game-tying goal in their comeback victory against the Raiders. Jaxon Jacobson’s hat trick led the way back for the Wheat Kings, while Cruz Jim’s first goal of the season was the deciding factor just over a minute into overtime. A trio of assists on the weekend from Chase Surkan (3A) kept his hot start going, while Joby Baumuller’s (1G-1A) team-leading seventh goal contributed to the Wheat Kings three-goal third period against Prince Albert to send the game to overtime. They’ll host Seattle and Everett this weekend as they enjoy their second two-game home stand in as many weekends. Games this week: vs. Seattle (Oct. 23), vs. Everett (Oct. 25) 9. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) It was an up-and-down weekend for the Tigers (5-3-0-1), who fell to Regina 6-1 on Friday before rebounding with an 8-1 defeat of the No. 8-ranked Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday. Luke Cozens (3G-1A) had the lone Tigers goal in Regina, then scored two more in their offensive outburst in Brandon. Owen Hayes (1G-1A) and Jake Burmis (1G-1A) each scored their first WHL goals in the win, while Riley Steen (1G-2A), Dayton Reschny (1G-2A), Josh Evaschesen (1G-2A), Markus Ruck (1G-1A) and Kadon McCann (2A) each had multi-point efforts. After a tough start in Regina, Carter Casey (2.93 GAA and .903 save percentage) bounced back with a 32-save effort to earn the win in Brandon. Medicine Hat will take on a Calgary team that is just one point back of them in a home-and-home matchup this weekend. Games this week: @ Calgary (Oct. 23), vs. Calgary (Oct. 24) 10. Newfoundland Regiment (QMJHL) With three straight wins to jump into the top spot in the QMJHL’s eastern conference, the Regiment (9-3-1-0) make their debut in the CHL top 10 this week. They opened the week by blanking Baie-Comeau 2-0, featuring a Louis-Antoine Denault (2.98 GAA and .902 save percentage) shutout and two goals from Louis-François Bélanger, and completed their two-game sweep of the Drakkar behind a pair of two-goal performances from 2028 NHL draft prospect Benjamin Veitch (3G-3A) and Tyson Goguen (2G-3A). Four different scorers brought the Regiment a 4-2 victory in Drummondville to close out the weekend, including another goal from Veitch and a goal and an assist each from Matthew Frost (1G-2A) and Ryan Dwyer (1G-1A). They’ll host the Victoriaville Tigres for two games this weekend as they look to extend their lead on the uber-competitive QMJHL eastern conference. Games this week: vs. Victoriaville (Oct. 24), vs. Victoriaville (Oct. 25)

Elite Prospects’ Sean Shapiro predicts 2026 Team CHL roster

Matt Tidcombe — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:56:53 +0000

Predictions for Team CHL's roster for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge continue to come thick and fast with the latest courtesy of Elite Prospects' Sean Shapiro. A strong forward contingent is already locked in after the early selections of Brock England (Seattle/WHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John/QMJHL), Carter Meyer (Quebec/QMJHL) and Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw/OHL) for the two-game series against the USNTDP on Dec. 1-2. But in Shapiro's mind, they will be supported by strong options that include Jamie Glance (Saint John/QMJHL) and Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph/OHL). Shapiro is also the first media member to give a nod to Penticton's Latvian forward Roberts Naudins while he also has a spot for Spokane's Gavin Burcar. https://twitter.com/eliteprospects/status/2112211326462574856 On the blue line, Shapiro names the usual suspects such as Brock Cripps (Prince Albert/WHL) and Malik I'Italien (QMJHL) but has found a spot for Kitchener's Alex Forrest and Wenatchee's Boston Tait. Between the pipes, Shapiro selected Vilmer Salén Forsberg (Brantford/OHL) and Eric Tu (Calgary/WHL). Tickets for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris are available by clicking here.

About the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris

Now in its third year, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge brings together many of the top NHL Draft-eligible players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for a two-game series against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. Across the first two editions of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, 42 of the 44 Team CHL players were subsequently selected in the NHL Draft, including 27 in the first round: 16 from the inaugural 2024 event and 11 from the 2025 edition.

The Hockey News’ Tony Ferrari predicts 2026 Team CHL roster

Matt Tidcombe — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:00:33 +0000

The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari is the latest media member to take a crack at what the Team CHL roster may look like for December's CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris. Four forwards have already been selected in Brock England (Seattle/WHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John/QMJHL), Carter Meyer (Quebec/QMJHL) and Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw/OHL) but Ferrari is confident in the inclusion of Kayden Stroeder (Edmonton/WHL), Jaakko Wycisk (Guelph/OHL) and Jamie Glance (Saint John/QMJHL), among others. https://twitter.com/TheHockeyNews/status/2110483446405501068 On the back end, Ferrari pinpoints Brock Cripps (Prince Albert/WHL), Levi Harper (Saginaw/OHL), Malik L’Italien(Halifax/QMJHL) and Vladimir Sktyrkhunov (Shawinigan/QMJHL) as players he feels will certainly represent Team CHL. As for goalies, Ferrari went with Patrick Déniger (Québec/QMJHL) and Carter Esler (Spokane/WHL) for the two-game series against the USNTDP on Dec. 1-2. Tickets for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris are available by clicking here.

About the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris

Meet Team CHL: Brock England turns speed into offence

Matt Tidcombe — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:06:57 +0000

After a standout rookie season in Seattle and two gold medals with Canada, the Thunderbirds forward brings his pace and scoring touch to the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris.

Brock England needed just 84 seconds to make his mark on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup final. Taking a drop pass from Liam Pue, the Seattle Thunderbirds forward opened the scoring for Canada against the United States. Before the first period was over, he had scored again, helping his country toward an 8–1 victory and a gold medal in Edmonton. It was another example of the offensive impact England had already made during his first full season in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Now, the 17-year-old from Red Deer, Alta., will bring that game to another prominent stage. England was among the first four players named to Team CHL on September 23 for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris. He joins Saginaw Spirit (OHL) forward Dima Zhilkin, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) centre Alexis Joseph and Québec Remparts (QMJHL) centre Carter Meyer for December’s two-game series against the U.S. National Under-18 Team. https://twitter.com/SeattleTbirds/status/2111654802707087773?s=20 “He is a dynamic player who can bring you out of your seat,” NHL Central Scouting’s John Williams told NHL.com. For Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, England’s skating is a defining quality. He ranked the Seattle forward sixth in his October 9 assessment of the 2027 NHL Draft class, calling him “the best skater in the draft right now.” Ellis highlighted how England uses his feet to pressure opponents, recover possession, and generate chances. With the puck, he also sees a playmaker who can deliver passes into dangerous areas and create on the power play. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button also placed England sixth on his September list, putting him among the leading prospects to watch as his draft season unfolds. Seattle has watched that potential take shape since selecting England 11th overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. He developed in the Red Deer Rebels minor hockey program before moving to Edge School, where he earned CSSHL First-Team All-Star recognition in consecutive seasons. Playing at the U18 Prep level as a 15-year-old in 2024–25, England led Edge with 58 points in 36 games. He also received his first opportunity with the Thunderbirds, scoring in his WHL debut at Tri-City on January 10, 2025, before gaining experience in five playoff games that spring. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2111192960133980448?s=20 His first full season brought a much larger contribution. England recorded 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 64 games in 2025–26, leading all 2009-born WHL skaters in goals and points. He produced 17 multi-point performances, including five consecutive outings in November during which he collected 12 points. His 21 goals were the most by a 16-year-old Thunderbirds rookie since Patrick Marleau scored 32 in 1995–96. England finished the season as Seattle’s Rookie of the Year. The responsibility behind those results also caught the attention of Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala. Writing ahead of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Bukala noted that England averaged more than 16 minutes per game with Seattle and could contribute on the penalty kill alongside his offensive work at even strength and on the power play. “He’s a competitive player who doesn’t cut corners with his overall approach to the game in all three zones,” Bukala wrote. England has demonstrated that ability to contribute in different situations while representing Canada. At the 2025 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Truro, N.S., he recorded two goals and five assists in five games as Canada Red captured gold. Both goals came in a 4–1 semifinal victory over Czechia, including a late shorthanded effort that helped secure Canada Red’s place in the final. https://twitter.com/SeattleTbirds/status/2102782859933257841?s=20 Joseph captained that team, beginning a connection the pair would renew at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup the following summer. England opened that tournament with two goals in a 7–3 victory over Switzerland, again scoring while Canada was shorthanded and earning his team’s Player of the Game recognition. He finished with four goals and five points in five games, capped by his two-goal performance in the final. Those appearances also showed he could adjust his role within a talented lineup. In his projected Team CHL roster for Daily Faceoff, Ellis identified England as one of Canada’s standouts while playing on the wing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and suggested he could fill a similar role in December. That versatility could give Team CHL another option when its forwards come together. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2082953442553979324?s=20 England’s selection continues a longstanding Seattle presence at the CHL’s prospect showcases. He is set to become the 27th Thunderbird to participate across the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and CHL USA Prospects Challenge, following a group that includes Marleau, Shea Theodore and Kevin Korchinski. More recently, Braeden Cootes represented Seattle at the inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge in 2024 before being selected 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Across the event’s first two editions, 42 of the 44 Team CHL participants were subsequently drafted, including 27 in the first round. For England, December represents another opportunity to measure his progress while continuing to build his game in Seattle. “It’s a big year for sure, and this is just another stop along the way, and I’m just trying to prove myself and improve my game,” said England. The 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris opens December 1 at the Georges-Vézina Centre in Chicoutimi before moving to the Vidéotron Centre in Québec City on December 2. Tickets are available at CHL.ca/ProspectsChallenge.

MyHockeyHero: Kohyn Eshkawkogan on his Indigenous roots, his hockey journey and growing up on Manitoulin Island

Matt Tidcombe — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 18:09:22 +0000

Photo credit: Brandon Taylor / OHL Images With the CHL’s 51^st season now in full swing, the MyHockeyHero podcast (available on Apple Podcast, Spotify and Amazon Music) has returned, with this season's first guest being Ottawa 67’s (OHL) defenceman Kohyn Eshkawkogan. He sat down with Dean Barnes to speak about his hockey journey, his Indigenous roots on Manitoulin Island and where he hopes to take it all from here. Growing up in Little Current, Ontario, Eshkawkogan has family from across Manitoulin Island and its First Nations communities. Eshkawkogan, himself, is a part of the M’Chigeeng First Nation, but his family has also hailed from the Wikwemikong and Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation communities. Eshkawkogan enjoys having family from across the island and has learned plenty about the cultures and practices of the communities within it. With the podcast occurring on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Eshkawkogan’s story and that of those that helped shape him carried even more meaning. His reflection included both listening and speaking on the subject, both of which carried immense importance. Part of the speaking has been educating his teammates in Ottawa on the subject, but a part of the listening aspect has included hearing about his great-grandmother’s time in the residential schools and understanding why it was difficult for her to speak about. “I never lived near her, so when I would go up and visit, I would ask her, but I was a young kid,” said Eshkawkogan of these early conversations. “I didn’t understand the trauma she went through. So, it was a hard time. She didn’t share much.” As Eshkawkogan processed the way in which the questions he asked were often difficult to answer, he learned what these experiences did for him. They taught him the value of having a willingness to accept what others have been through, having an openness to learn and taking the time to be understanding. Growing up in his community on Manitoulin Island and learning about his culture and the reality of the events that occurred at the residential schools has given Eshkawkogan an opportunity to educate others, which he’s done with his 67’s teammates. He credited Dave Cameron – his head coach in Ottawa – and his teammates for being open-minded and supportive toward hearing his story. And part of the education he’s been able to provide his teammates has included sharing and teaching about his culture through team visits to Manitoulin Island, something that Eshkawkogan eagerly approved when Cameron asked if he’d be open to it. “We were sharing the culture and just little teachings, learning about eagle staffs and flags and what each part of those mean,” Eshkawkogan shared about the experience. “Everything has a meaning in our culture, so just learning what one eagle feather means can mean something different to another one.” What has made the experience even more special for Eshkawkogan has been the absorption his teammates have demonstrated from the experiences. He specifically mentioned Frankie Marrelli and his interest in taking part in another smudge, which Eshkawkogan explained is how they cleanse themselves of negative energy in their culture. The experiences with his teammates on Manitoulin Island could be looked at as a full circle moment for Eshkawkogan, who may have wound up in Lansdowne and the Ottawa 67’s barber poles, but Little Current was where it started. Growing up, he had the athleticism and sporting experience of both of his parents to lean on as he started his hockey journey. His mother was a figure skater and his father, who coached him with the Manitoulin Panthers, played hockey. His father was also the one to convince him to play defence instead of his initially-desired position of forward, something he quickly agreed to when he learned about the extra ice time. And he had his older sister too, whom Eshkawkogan credits as his early inspiration for wanting to play while growing up. He always wanted to play with her, and with her being two years older than him, that meant putting in extra work, which he did in order to play with her every second year. The Little Current Flyers were the team that Eshkawkogan began his hockey career with before playing for the Panthers until Major Atom, but Sudbury was where the road eventually led him as he advanced to higher levels of hockey. His arrival to the region saw him play AA off the bat, but he advanced to playing AAA for the Nickel City Sons. After three years there, he made the move south to Toronto to attend The Hill Academy and play hockey. He always knew that good grades were important, evident by his OHL (East) Academic Player of the Month award in December 2024, but his on-ice aspirations were given an extra jolt of optimism after joining the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). “I think major bantam is when I first realized, when I moved to Toronto to play hockey. I was playing for the Reps Hockey Club at the time and my agent was telling me, ‘maybe you’ll get drafted, maybe it’ll be a later round’,” Eshkawkogan said of when he learned he was a legitimate OHL draft prospect. “I started talking to different teams in the GTHL to hear what they had to say about next year. I picked the North York Rangers for my OHL draft year and that’s when I first realized I can get drafted to the OHL pretty high. That’s when it all clicked for me.” It was in 2024, after that highly-spoken-about season with North York, that Eshkawkogan was drafted by the 67’s with the 21^st overall pick of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. He reflected on the unique feeling of having people he had never met reach out to congratulate him and say they had followed his hockey journey. But wherever Eshkawkogan has gone, whether on Manitoulin Island, with the 67’s in Ottawa or anywhere in between, his roots have always been important to him. Playing for Team Ontario at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship, Eshkawkogan’s team fell just short of gold, instead taking home a silver medal. So, when he returned the next year – shortly after being drafted – and won gold, it meant that much more. “Winning gold with that group of guys, where some had lost the year before with me, it was really special,” Eshkawkogan said of the experience. “I just got drafted when I won the gold medal with that team. So, I know younger kids were looking up to me, and they were going to be following along. So just always putting in your best effort and trying to be that role model for the next generation,” he continued while considering the impact he could have on others. Accomplishments are something that Eshkawkogan has plenty of. From physical accolades to the part he’s played as a role model in his community, he’s listened, learned and used his knowledge and lived experience to educate those around him. So, when the next accomplishment he hoped to achieve involved adapting to the OHL game and eventually the NHL, he continued to learn. “For defencemen I looked up to, it’s Cale Makar. I’d say he’s what everyone should strive to be on the offensive side,” Eshkawkogan said of the influential figures on his game as he developed as a defenceman. “But growing up, I would watch those old Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em videos and stuff and my favourite player was Bobby Orr.” He knew that he’d eventually have to play much bigger and more talented players and he continued to absorb information from those around him. Some of the most important growth he has experienced came from his international experience representing Canada at the U17 World Hockey Challenge and U18 World Hockey Championship. He credited others for helping improve his ability and understanding of the game, including Soo Greyhounds head coach Drew Bannister (his head coach at the U18s), who played parts of six seasons in the NHL and coached there for two, and teammates from Canadian national teams like Landon DuPont and Carson Carels. But for now, his goal is simple. It’s to focus on the present and win a Memorial Cup. “We have high expectations for ourselves,” he explained. “A good majority of our team is coming back and we have that experience of losing in the second round. We’re really hungry to make it to the Memorial Cup.” Eshkawkogan’s advice to young players in today’s game, something he admitted he’d say to his younger self, was simple and honest. “If you put your mind toward something and work hard at it, you’re going to get rewarded. It might not be the NHL. The NHL is the main goal, but if you’re playing pro hockey in Europe, that’s amazing. And just being able to play hockey, you’re playing a kid’s game at the end of the day. You’re going to have lots of fun doing it and you don’t want to take it for granted.” To view clips from the MyHockeyHero podcast and its guests, follow the show on Instagram at @myhockeyhero_. To see some of the unique hockey cards from Barnes’ extensive hockey card collection, follow @diversityhcokeycards. For further information on Dean Barnes, the MyHockeyHero podcast and more, please visit MyHockeyHero.com.

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis predicts 2026 Team CHL roster

Matt Tidcombe — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:49:28 +0000

Team CHL’s roster for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris will be unveiled by the end of the month and with it, predictions on who will suit up in Chicoutimi and Quebec City are beginning to roll in. The first of which comes from Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis who has made his prediction for Team CHL's 22-man roster for the two-game series against the USNTDP on Dec. 1-2. https://twitter.com/SEllisHockey/status/2110365483731923171 On the forward group, Ellis wrote "it does have unbelievable depth. This was one of the tougher groups to manage because there were so many legit first-round candidates to choose from." Four forwards have already been selected in Brock England (Seattle/WHL), Alexis Joseph (Saint John/QMJHL), Carter Meyer (Quebec/QMJHL) and Dima Zhilkin (Saginaw/OHL) but Ellis' list adds in some additional high-end talent in James Scantlebury (Quebec/QMJHL) who sits second in Q scoring as well as Ryan Kaczynski (Soo/OHL) whose eight goals in nine games are tied for fifth most in the OHL. On the back-end, Ellis names what he calls three 'safe bet' first-round selections in Brock Cripps (Prince Albert/WHL), Levi Harper (Saginaw/OHL) and Malik L'Italien (Halifax/QMJHL) while his two goalies are Vilmer Salén Forsberg (Brantford/OHL) and Eric Tu (Calgary/WHL). Tickets for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris are available by clicking here.

About the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Primaris

2026 Memorial Cup Generates Record $50.9 Million in New Spending for Greater Kelowna

Matt Tidcombe — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:46:13 +0000

T1 Agency study highlights visitor spending, while charitable support, scholarships and arena upgrades extend the tournament’s community legacy

The 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota generated an estimated $50.9 million in new spending in Greater Kelowna, the largest recorded economic impact for a Memorial Cup host community, according to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The findings of the economic impact study, conducted by T1 Agency, were announced today by the CHL and the Kelowna 2026 Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee. Hosted by the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets from May 21–31, the CHL’s championship event drew sellout crowds throughout the tournament at Prospera Place, with 47,780 tickets sold. The 11-day event culminated with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers capturing their third Memorial Cup championship. “The Memorial Cup showcases the best of the best from across the CHL, and Kelowna demonstrated the immense value this event can bring to a community,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “From sellout crowds and visitor spending to support for local charities, students and community facilities, the impact reached well beyond the rink. That is the legacy we want our championship to leave in the communities that welcome us.” Commissioned by the CHL, the study examined spending attributable to the tournament in Greater Kelowna, drawing on more than 500 survey responses. According to its findings, many visiting fans stayed for a week or longer, combining their time at the rink with local experiences such as wine tours, golf, boating and hiking, extending the event’s benefits to businesses throughout the region. “The results of the impact assessment of the 2026 Memorial Cup are very positive. The Memorial Cup is clearly a mega-event in Canada, one that brings in thousands of people and millions of dollars to its local market,” said Norm O’Reilly, Partner, T1 Agency. “For 2026, Kelowna was an excellent destination for an event like this. Visitors travelled from far and wide, spent across a range of local businesses and tourism experiences, and were highly satisfied with their stay. That combination generated considerable benefits for businesses and the broader community.” Beyond visitor spending, the tournament’s community contributions total $137,000 in charitable support and scholarship funding, including $50,000 for Kelowna Minor Hockey to help families cover registration and equipment costs, and $37,000 for the Child & Youth Advocacy Centre of Kelowna. The Memorial Cup Legacy Scholarship Program will provide $50,000 of that total in funding to students at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College over the next five years. Launched in 2022, the program already supports students in Saint John, Kamloops, Saginaw and Rimouski, and will expand to Guelph following the 2027 Memorial Cup. The event also helped accelerate improvements to Prospera Place. As part of preparations for the tournament, the City of Kelowna invested $3.8 million in venue upgrades, including a new centre-hung LED video board, a professional audio system, more than 75 new screens, arena-wide Wi-Fi, two new electric ice resurfacers and upgraded media facilities. These improvements will continue to serve the Rockets, other arena users and future events. “We’re thrilled at the results of the economic impact study. We saw the excitement throughout the tournament, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that reflected in such a significant benefit for our local economy,” said Steve Thomson, Co-Chair, 2026 Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee. “This result is a credit to our community partners, local businesses, volunteers and everyone who helped welcome fans to Kelowna. As an organizing committee, we couldn’t be prouder of what our community accomplished together.” The 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will be hosted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm in Guelph, Ontario, from May 20–30, 2027. About the Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is the Canadian Hockey League’s iconic championship event, bringing together the league champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host team, in a four-club round-robin tournament to crown the CHL champion. First awarded in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become one of the most storied and prestigious trophies in hockey, shaping more than a century of junior hockey history in North America. Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to honour Canadian soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, the trophy was rededicated in 2010 to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, the Memorial Cup stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride, while showcasing the best junior hockey talent in the world.