2026 Memorial Cup preview – Silvertips vs. Sagueneens – May 23
For the first time in franchise history, the Everett Silvertips will play a Memorial Cup game tonight.
Their opponent will be the Chicoutimi Sagueneens – who make their return after a 32-year absence – at 9pm ET / 6pm PT on TSN 1/5, RDS, NHL Network and Victory Plus.
“Pretty special to play here,” Everett’s Matias Vanhanen said. “I’m pumped to be here and to play against these teams.”
The Silvertips’ debut Memorial Cup campaign comes after they claimed their first WHL title just last week. Everett had twice previously reached the WHL Championship Series but fell short in 2004 and 2018. However, 2026 was different after they beat the Prince Albert Raiders in five games.
“When I came here, I never imagined we’d be playing at the Memorial Cup,” said Vanhanen who was the 31st overall pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. “We are a good team and believe in each other.
“I’m lucky to be here.”
Vanhanen forms a dynamic top line that also features fellow Finn Julius Miettinen (SEA) – who won WHL Playoffs MVP – as well as Carter Bear (DET) who was the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Across the regular season and playoffs, the trio combined for 313 points.
As for Chicoutimi, they return to the national stage for the first time since 1994. By winning their third QMJHL title, they also got Yanick Jean – the winningest coach in league history – his first ring as a head coach. The Sags defeated Moncton – last year’s QMJHL champions – in six games.
“We know we belong here, we can compete here and if we keep things simple, good things can happen,” said defenceman Jordan Tourigny.
For Tourigny, this marks his second Memorial Cup. He won a Q title with Shawinigan in 2022 and helped the Cataractes reach the semi-finals of that tournament.
“The emotion I felt at 16 I wanted to feel [again],” he said. “Being here for my last year in junior, I can’t ask for anything better.”
During the regular season, Chicoutimi’s 321 goals scored ranked second and their 150 goals against led the CHL while their 49 wins were the second most in franchise history.
In fact, both the Sags and Silvertips were one of just three CHL clubs that featured in all 26 weeks in the CHL Top 10 rankings.
While tonight is Everett’s tournament debut, the Sags are also in chase of their first Memorial Cup title in what will be their fourth appearance.
The 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota is scheduled for May 21-31 in Kelowna, B.C. Every game of the 2026 Memorial Cup will air in Canada on TSN and RDS, with live streaming available on TSN.ca, the TSN app, RDS.ca, and the RDS app. In the United States, fans can watch every game on NHL Network, while viewers outside Canada can stream the tournament live on Victory+.
2026 Memorial Cup schedule:
May 22 – Game 1: Kitchener 5-0 Kelowna
May 23 – Game 2: Everett vs. Chicoutimi — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 24 – Game 3: Kelowna vs. Chicoutimi — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 25 – Game 4: Everett vs. Kitchener — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 26 – Game 5: Chicoutimi vs. Kitchener — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 27 – Game 6: Kelowna vs. Everett — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 28 – Tie-breaker (if necessary) — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 29 – Semi-final — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT
May 31 – Final — 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
