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FROM FIRST PIECE TO LAST LAP – Emmanuel Vermette’s long road to victory

Mon, 25 May 2026 17:49:11 +0000

In the Summer of 2021, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens were ready to turn the page on a couple of seasons that featured both impressive successes and constant setbacks. With the cloak of the pandemic covering everything, the organization took its first step back to the top by investing its first pick in that year’s Draft – second round, 35^th overall – on a kid who, like the rest of that year’s class of prospects, barely saw the ice over the previous year. That kid was Emmanuel Vermette. Now, the 21-year-old young man reflects on five seasons of growth in a blue and white sweater, how it all began, and how he got what he needed in taking those first tricky steps into the world of major junior hockey. “For me, as a power forward coming in at 16, not having played the season before, it was hard,” Vermette recalls. “It took me a bit more time than some others to adapt and be able to play my game. But Yanick and our coaching staff were really great. They were really patient with me and I had all the support I needed from them.” Head Coach Yanick Jean has seen a fantastic progression in the guy who now wears the ‘C’ for this year’s QMJHL champions. Part of the credit goes to both Vermette’s willingness to be better and the past players who helped him reach the level he’s now achieved. “He’s taken some huge steps,” Jean points out. “The challenge for Emmanuel was consistency. He came to us straight out of (the U15 level) and it was tough for him at times. But he’s grown so much as a player and especially as a leader. Guys like (former Saguenéens captains) Jonathan Desrosiers and Kassim Gaudet really helped him along the way.” Vermette has indeed come a long way, reaching the point-per-game plateau for the second straight campaign and posting ten goals in the Sags’ championship charge. The winger from Québec City, Quebec capped off that run with a goal and an assist in Chicoutimi’s game six triumph over Moncton on home ice. Much like his Head Coach, Vermette is quick to credit those who have surrounded him over the years in the club’s title quest, as well as those who make sure the group maintains that goal. “It’s really important for us to have not only good players here but great people, too,” he explains. “Yanick makes sure that every player that comes through here is a good person before everything. This year, we brought in some guys that were captains or assistants on other teams and, of course, they were going to have to take a smaller role with us. But everybody was aware of that, and every guy that came through here was ready for it and ready to accept it. It made things really easy, having everybody on the same page. Everybody had the same goal, so it all fit together perfectly.” They also endeared themselves to the fans in Chicoutimi, whose desire for a Gilles-Courteau Trophy after a 32-year drought was finally realized. Vermette has experienced the last half-decade of those ups and downs with those passionate fans, many of whom had tears in their eyes when the trophy made its appearance at center ice on the evening of May 17. He fully understands what this triumph means to those who’ve supported him these last few years. “It's a hockey town,” Vermette says. “The whole city lives through the Sags and the atmosphere is incredible. Through the years, we had some tough years and, still, the fans were always behind the team. It's a great city to play junior in. Everything here is top-notch.” And so it was, in front of those emotional boosters, that Vermette became just the third player in the over five-decade long history of the Saguenéens franchise to be handed the QMJHL’s championship trophy to hold aloft. What goes through a five-year player’s mind when he gets to hold it over his head? “First of all, it's a dream come true,” Vermette says without hesitation. “It's something I've wanted to live ever since I was young. The first thing that came to my mind was my parents. They've done so much for me ever since I've been a kid, all the hours and the time they put in me. It's something I can never pay them back for and that's why I love them.” Vermette also doesn’t hesitate when he thinks of all he will miss as he departs the place he’s called his second home over the past few years, first for Kelowna, BC and the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, then for the next steps in his personal and hockey lives. The rink, the people, his brothers on the ice. All of it is top of mind. And all of it reflected in the comments of his proud Head Coach, who made him the first building block of an eventual title-winner. “After five years, we’ve created a great bond. I’ll be sad to see him go. But at the same time, he’s got some great tools that he can now use for life.”

Memorial Cup: The Saguenéens win in overtime

Mon, 25 May 2026 04:35:42 +0000

Twenty-four hours after their loss to Everett Silvertips, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens bounced back in the right way and defeated the host Kelowna Rockets, 3-2, in overtime in their second game of the Memorial Cup tournament on Sunday night. Liam Lefebvre played the hero at 5:28 of the overtime period with his second goal of the game. The game carried major importance for both teams. The Saguenéens had dropped a 5-3 decision to Everett on Saturday, while the Rockets had suffered a 5-0 loss to the Kitchener Rangers on Friday. In Memorial Cup history, only one team has ever won the Canadian championship after starting the tournament with two losses: the Windsor Spitfires in 2009. Two goals were disallowed in the first period. The first came from the Rockets after Lucas Beckman was bumped before the puck crossed the goal line. The second was waved off for the Sags because Liam Lefebvre made a hand pass to Nathan Lecompte, who then scored. Lefebvre redeemed himself moments later. He took a pass from Maxim Schafer, broke in alone and beat goaltender Josh Banini with a backhand shot high into the net at 14:38. A beauty! The tight checking continued in the second period. Tij Iginla, a prospect of the Utah Mammoth, scored the Rockets’ first goal of the tournament and tied the game at 6:29. Anton Linde restored the Saguenéens’ one-goal lead by tipping a shot from Nathan Lecompte with 5:59 remaining in the third period. The puck crossed the goal line by barely an inch before Josh Banini swept it out of the net, but the goal was understandably awarded. But just 1:49 later, defenseman Mazden Leslie forced overtime by finishing off a play set up by Tomas Poletin. More details on the game HERE. — The Chicoutimi Saguenéens (1-1) will enjoy a day off on Monday before facing the Kitchener Rangers (1-0) on Tuesday night. The Rangers, meanwhile, will take on the Everett Silvertips (1-0) on Monday night. As for the Kelowna Rockets (0-2), they will not play again until Wednesday against Kitchener. That matchup will conclude the preliminary round.

MAN OF CULTURE – Yanick Jean’s return to the top full of learning experiences

Sun, 24 May 2026 16:52:41 +0000

When Yanick Jean returned home to Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean 12 seasons ago to assume the role of Head Coach and General Manager of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, bringing a championship back to the region was obviously the top priority. After all, Jean knows the feeling all too well. He was a defenseman with the 1994 squad, the last Sags club that won a championship. Until around a week ago, that was one of only two Chicoutimi clubs to emerge from the QMJHL as title holders. Does Jean see any similarities between the club he toiled on the back end for and the one he cultivated on draft floors, in trade talks and behind the bench? “The chemistry is very similar,” Jean confirms. “Once you win, you’re brothers for life.” For Jean, the talent he currently has assembled in Chicoutimi is obvious to anyone who has ever watched a game or read a stat sheet. But it’s the atmosphere around this group that the 50-year-old from Alma, Quebec has worked particularly hard at nurturing as the Saguenéens rose steadily through the standings over the past half decade. “We’ve stressed a culture that is positive,” Jean points out. “We want to make it fun to be here.” Of course, nothing is more fun than winning. But the last time Jean attempted to build a winner, it was a global pandemic, not a rival team, that derailed the Sags’ chances. The 2019-20 edition never had the opportunity to test its playoff mettle thanks to COVID related shutdowns. Still strong the following year, the club was stopped in the Semi-Finals during the “bubble” playoffs held in Quebec. It was a period of time that tested Jean and the Saguenéens’ resolve while also reenforcing the mantra the club and its Head Coach are quick to tout. “It took a while to get over it but eventually, we turned the page,” Jean recalls. “In fact, when you have to live it, you realize how important culture is. It makes you enjoy the process more. It’s not like the last five years have all been rough, but we appreciate the steps it took. But still, culture has to be number one. Even if things don’t work out in the end, you’ll still enjoy the process.” The process has not only included the methodical drafting and development of key players. There have also been targeted acquisitions from around the league. Not just top players; top people as well. Four of the players picked up by the club – forward Mavrick Lachance and blueliners Tomas Lavoie, Alexis Bernier and Jordan Tourigny – were all members of their former team’s leadership groups. That’s not a coincidence. “We’d done our homework for years,” Jean explains. “We followed all of these guys up close. The list of players we had an eye on was a short one. We didn’t just want guys who were talented, we wanted them to be able to leave their egos at the door.” Egos at the door is a statement Jean has made for years. This time around, the meaning held particular significance. This is a Saguenéens club that made more significant in-season changes that ever before in Jean’s time with the club. An understanding needed to be reached when dealing with a group of teenagers who’ve known nothing but being the biggest fish in their previous ponds. “It’s about role acceptance,” Jean says. “We’ve got guys like Colby Train and Gryphon Watson-Bucci who are 19-year-olds that are only stepping into the lineup if we have injuries. Other guys that were used to playing 30 minutes are playing 22 here. We asked everyone, ‘Are you willing to see your ice time cut?’. Everybody said yes.” What these players inevitably signed up for was a championship season. In the end, no one remembers who played the most minutes or was on the ice for the most defensive zone draws. But flags fly forever. The names on this year’s Chicoutimi roster will be reflected in the banner – perhaps banners – that will hang from the rafters at the Centre Georges-Vézina next fall. No one in the organization has a greater appreciation for this that the man who runs the show. “We had about 10 or 12 guys from the ’94 team in the rink at one point or another during the Final,” Jean mentions with pride. “The bunch of guys we have here, 30 years from now, they’ll look back on this the same way that group does now.” (Photo credit : Steve Dunsmoor)

Memorial Cup: the Saguenéens start with a loss

Sun, 24 May 2026 04:01:20 +0000

Six days after capturing the Gilles-Courteau Trophy, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens opened their Memorial Cup tournament Saturday night with a 5-3 loss to the Everett Silvertips, champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The game got off to a rough start for the Saguenéens, as Jesse Heslop gave the Silvertips a 1-0 lead just 74 seconds into the contest. Christophe Berthelot responded eight minutes later, pouncing on a rebound from an Alexis Bernier shot. Then, at 5:39 of the second period, Alex Huang gave the Sags a 2-1 lead with a laser of a shot that beat goaltender Anders Miller over the right shoulder. But just 33 seconds later, Lukas Kaplan tied the game on a shot from the left wing that Lucas Beckman — beaten under the left arm — would likely want back. That goal proved to be the turning point of the game in Everett’s favour. The Silvertips increased the pressure and, at 13:55 and 14:45, scored twice in a span of 50 seconds to take a 4-2 lead. Zackary Shantz and Carter Bear were the goal scorers. The Sags, who had erased a 4-0 deficit in Game 5 of the Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final against Moncton, were unable to complete another comeback against Everett. Maxim Massé gave the Sags a glimmer of hope by making it 4-3 with 28 seconds remaining, after Beckman had gone to the bench, but Matias Vanhanen found the back of the empty net seven seconds later. More details on the game HERE. -- The Saguenéens will play their second game of the Memorial Cup tournament Sunday night at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) against the host team, the Rockets. Kelowna also dropped its opening game on Friday, falling 5-0 to the Kitchener Rangers.

TRUE BLUE – The Sags’ journey to the 2026 Memorial Cup

Fri, 22 May 2026 19:05:18 +0000

With the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota set to kick off on Friday night in Kelowna, British Columbia, the field that began with 61 CHL clubs in September has been whittled down to four. This year’s QMJHL representatives, the 2026 Gilles-Courteau Trophy Champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens, join the OHL Champion Kitchener Rangers, WHL title holder Everett Silvertips and host Kelowna Rockets in a final battle for junior hockey supremacy. The Saguenéens entered the season as strong championship contenders this year as Head Coach and GM Yanick Jean and his staff methodically built a well-balanced nucleus over a five-season span. The first addition to this building process, back in 2021, was current Sags captain Emmanuel Vermette. As the club began its climb up the standings, it also drafted or acquired top-end talent in the form of this season’s League MVP Maxim Massé, two-way forward Christophe Berthelot and, through a trade in the middle of the 2022-23 campaign, offensively gifted center Thomas Desruisseaux. The build went into overdrive at the 2023 QMJHL Draft, with the addition of winger Émile Guité, center Nathan Lacompte and defenseman Alex Huang with picks two, four and five, respectively. The following day, in the Draft’s fifth round, goaltender Raphaël Précourt donned the blue and white for the first of many times. This season, the Saguenéens made it apparent that this was their year. By the time the dust had settled on the trade period, the club had bolstered its lineup at all three positions. Lucas Beckman provided arguably the best goaltending depth in the league while Mavrick Lachance brought his puck skills and leadership to the fold. But it was on the blue line where the Sags went from great to outstanding. Tomas Lavoie, Jordan Tourigny and Alexis Bernier were dropped onto the big ice surface in Chicoutimi and simply shut things down. Just as important as any on-ice accomplishments, all of these skaters acquired mid-season had worn a letter with their previous clubs. Battling the Moncton Wildcats for first place overall throughout the second half, the Saguenéens would fall one point short of the Jean-Rougeau Trophy with an impressive 49-10-3-2 record and 103 points, Chicoutimi’s best regular season result in twenty years and the second-highest point total in the club’s 53-season history. The Sags led the league in goals scored, fewest goals against, power play and penalty killing efficiency during the year, the first club since the 1997 Memorial Cup Champion Hull Olympiques to pull off that feat. All of the Saguenéens’ abilities were on display throughout the 2026 postseason as well. In their first round encounter against the Halifax Mooseheads, only a 2-1 squeaker in Game 2 provided any drama. The Sags outscored the Mooseheads 24-4 en route to a four-game sweep, the first playoff encounter between the two teams since the 1997 Conference Finals, a date which would prove prophetic for this year’s Saguenéens. Round two saw Chicoutimi matched up against one of its chief rivals, the Québec Remparts. An up-and-coming group, the Sags bottled up the Remparts, allowing just two goals in yet another four-game sweep, including back-to-back road shutouts in Games 3 and 4. The first notable test for this versatile group came in the Semi-Finals versus the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Indeed, the opening game of the series saw the Huskies relinquish home ice advantage from Chicoutimi with a 3-1 triumph. However, the Saguenéens would remain unfazed, capturing four of the next five contests and advancing to the league Final for the first time since that previously noted 1997 campaign. The Gilles-Courteau Trophy Final was a repeat of the clash for the Jean-Rougeau Trophy. The defending champion Wildcats drew first blood with a 5-2 victory in Game 1. The Sags answered back right away, erasing a 1-0 deficit in the second game to earn a 3-2 win. Game 3 in Chicoutimi was a roller coaster of unexpected events; holding a 4-2 lead midway through the third, Moncton found the back of the net twice, including once on a baffling dump-in attempt, to send the game to overtime. Despite two power play opportunities and a number of Grade ‘A’ chances for the Cats, Chicoutimi took a 2-1 series lead on a goal by Desruisseaux which was confirmed upon video review. Moncton would knot the series up again with a hard fought 4-3 victory in Game 4. If Game 3 was the undercard for weird and wild events, Game 5 was the main event. Trailing 4-0 in the second period and forced to deal with a fire alarm during the first intermission, the Sags reeled off six goals in the third period to sound their own alarm at the Avenir Center with a thrilling 7-6 triumph. It was the first time in 45 years a ‘Q’ team erased a four-goal deficit in the Final to earn the win. That momentum propelled the Saguenéens back home where, on Sunday night, a 5-1 triumph delivered a QMJHL title to the organization for the first time in 32 years. The Sags rolled to a 16-4 postseason record by, literally, rolling. Deploying four lines and six defensemen with regularity, the club featured 12 players who reached double-digit points, led my Massé’s 24. An incredible 15 players recorded a point on the power play, while 12 different skaters were credited with a game-winning tally. In net, Beckman took the reins during the postseason, recording three shutouts and leading the league in goals against average. This will be the Saguenéens’ fourth trip to the Memorial Cup. In both 1991 and 1994, the club, as league title holders, reached the tournament Semi-Final. The 1997 tournament saw the club, as the second QMJHL representative, go winless. The four participants at this year’s event have combined for 14 previous tournament appearances; only the Silvertips are making their Memorial Cup debut. The Saguenéens make their debut at the 2026 Memorial Cup Presented by Kubota on Saturday night when they face Everett. This will be followed by clashes on Sunday and Tuesday against Kelowna and Kitchener, respectively. All games get underway at 9pm ET/10pm AT and will be broadcast via TSN and RDS.

2026 Memorial Cup | Meet the Saguenéens’ NHL Prospects

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:45:42 +0000

Today marks the official kickoff of activities surrounding the 2026 Memorial Cup tournament presented by Kubota Canada! This year, the QMJHL will be proudly represented by the 2026 Gilles-Courteau Trophy champions, the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. This will be the Sags’ fourth appearance at the national championship, having previously competed in the 1991, 1994 and 1997 tournaments. Led by head coach Yanick Jean, the QMJHL champions rely on an impressive core of seven players who have already been drafted by National Hockey League (NHL) teams. Let’s take a look at the NHL prospects currently playing for the Saguenéens:

Lucas Beckman – Ottawa Senators (4th round, 97th overall | 2025)
Alexis Bernier – Seattle Kraken (3rd round, 73rd overall | 2024)
Émile Guité – Anaheim Ducks (5th round, 159th overall | 2025)
Alex Huang – Nashville Predators (4th round, 122nd overall | 2025)
Tomas Lavoie – Utah Mammoth (3rd round, 89th overall | 2024)
Maxim Massé – Anaheim Ducks (3rd round, 66th overall | 2024)
Maxim Schäfer – Washington Capitals (3rd round, 96th overall | 2025)

In addition to these prospects who were already selected in the NHL Draft, the Saguenéens also have six players on their roster who have participated in professional training camps. Here are the players who gained some invaluable experience during these camps:

Peteris Bulans – Vegas Golden Knights (2025)
Thomas Desruisseaux – Anaheim Ducks (2024)
Mavrick Lachance – Boston Bruins (2025)
Nathan Lecompte – New Jersey Devils (2025)
Jordan Tourigny – Winnipeg Jets (2023) and Minnesota Wild (2024, 2025)
Emmanuel Vermette – Boston Bruins (2025)

The Saguenéens kick off their Memorial Cup preliminary round with a matchup against the Everett Silvertips on Saturday night. They’ll play the Kelowna Rockets the very next day, before facing the Kitchener Rangers on Tuesday. All games are scheduled at 10 p.m. AT and will air live on both TSN and RDS.

2026 Memorial Cup point system and overtime rules

Thu, 21 May 2026 13:56:17 +0000

Ahead of the start of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., it's worth a quick reminder of the tournament's point system and overtime rules. Two points are awarded to the winning team in each round-robin game of the Memorial Cup, regardless of whether the team wins in regulation time or overtime, while the losing team will not receive a point in regulation or overtime. Overtime in the round-robin will continue to be played in a 3-on-3 format in 20-minute periods until a winner is decided. The intermissions between the third period and overtime and each additional overtime period are 15 minutes. There are no TV timeouts during overtime although a quick scrape in front of the nets and benches will be done at the first stoppage after the 10-minute mark should the overtime continue. It is worth noting that these overtime rules differentiate slightly for the tie-breaker, semi-final and championship games of the Memorial Cup where overtime is played in a 5-on-5 format in 20-minute periods until a winner is decided. Additionally, the following formula will be used to decide final standings:

If two teams tie for the final playoff position, at the conclusion of the single round robin series of games, a sudden death game between the two tied teams shall be played with the winner to advance to the semi-final game. The home team, in the sudden-death game, shall be the team that won the round robin game between the two teams.
In the event three teams should tie for the final playoff place position at the conclusion of the single round robin series of games, the game each team played against the first-place team shall be removed from their records. The tie breaking formula shall be as follows: Add each team’s goals for with their goals against which sum you divide into such team’s goals for. The team with the highest percentage gains the higher position in the standings and an automatic berth as home team in the semi-final game. The remaining two teams shall play a sudden-death game with the winner to advance to the semi-final game. The home team in the suddendeath game will be the team that won the round robin game between the two teams.
In the event following this mathematical exercise all three teams should remain tied, the game each team played against the first place team shall be added to their records. The same formula from 2 (i) will be applied to finalize the rankings of the three teams. In the event that two teams still remain tied after 2 (ii), the round robin game between the two teams will determine their order of position.
In the event that two teams shall be tied for a playoff position, other than the final playoff spot, the game between the two teams in the round robin shall determine the higher ranked team. In the event three teams should be tied for first place at the conclusion of the single round robin series of games, the game each team played against the fourth place team shall be removed from their records. The tie breaking formula shall be as follows: Add each team’s goals for with their goals against which sum you divide into such team’s goals for. The team with the highest percentage gains the higher ranking in the standings and an automatic berth as the home team in the Memorial Cup Championship game. The remaining two teams shall play in the semi-final game. The home team in the semi-final game will be the team that won the round robin game between the two teams.
In the event following this mathematical exercise, all three teams remain tied for first place, the game that each team played against the fourth placed team shall be added to their records. The same formula from 3 will be applied to finalize the rankings of the three teams. In the event that two teams still remain tied after 3 above, the round robin game between the two teams will determine their order of position.

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+.

Chicoutimi wins its third QMJHL title

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:56:27 +0000

After a 32-year wait, the Chicoutimi Saguneens are back on top of the QMJHL. The Sags secured the third Gilles-Courteau Trophy in franchise history after a Game 6 win over the Moncton Wildcats. In defeat, Moncton's Gabe Smith (UTA) was awarded the Guy Lafleur Trophy as QMJHL Playoffs MVP after he led the league in both goals (19) and points (33) in the postseason. As for Chicoutimi, regular season MVP Maxim Masse (ANA) led the team in postseason scoring with 24 points. Mavrick Lachance registered one point fewer while Nathan Lecompte tallied 20 points. The club had a pair of players reach double digits in goals in Lachance and captain Emmanuel Vermette. In goal, Lucas Beckman (OTT) was outstanding as he won all 16 postseason games and recorded a 1.98 GAA and .918 save percentage.. As QMJHL champions, the Sags will join the Kelowna Rockets, the WHL's Everett Silvertips and the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota that will take place May 21 – May 31. The Sagueneens were one of the top clubs in the CHL all-season long; they were ranked all 26 weeks and held the no. 1 spot on three occasions. Their 321 goals for and 150 goals against both led the CHL while their 49 wins were the second most in franchise history. In the first round of the QMJHL Playoffs, the Sagueneens stormed past Halifax in a four-game sweep where they outscored the Mooseheads 24-4. In Round 2, they swept Quebec where they conceded just two goals all series while Beckman posted back-to-back shutouts in Game's 3 and 4. In the third round, they needed six games to eliminate Rouyn-Noranda. After Chicoutimi and Moncton split the first two games of the QMJHL Finals, the Sags jumped ahead 2-1 after Thomas Desruisseaux had the overtime winner in Game 3. After the Wildcats levelled the series in Game 4, the Sags stole Game 5 after a stunning comeback that saw them win 7-6 having once trailed 4-0. In Game 6 Sunday, five different skaters had goals as the Sags won 5-1. Chicoutimi will open its 2026 Memorial Cup campaign on May 23 against Everett before they battle hosts Kelowna a day later. They close out their round-round on May 26 against Kitchener. The 2026 tournament will be Chicoutimi's fourth appearance at a Memorial Cup after 1991, 1994 and 1997. The club have never won a Memorial Cup in franchise history. 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 vs. Kelowna — 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT 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 (Photo credit: Vincent Ethier) https://youtu.be/jYySs3Gff9c?si=-yCDg7nm37Ib2rZO

Tournament field set for 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:54:26 +0000

All games from the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C., will air live in Canada on TSN and RDS, in the United States on NHL Network, and stream on Victory+ outside of Canada.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is excited to announce the field for the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, which will take place May 21-31 in Kelowna, British Columbia. In addition to the host Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup will feature the WHL champion Everett Silvertips, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) champion Kitchener Rangers, and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) champion Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The three league champions secured their spots by capturing their respective titles, with Everett winning its first-ever Ed Chynoweth Cup, Kitchener claiming its fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup, and Chicoutimi earning its third Gilles-Courteau Trophy — and first in 32 years. The opening game of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota is scheduled for Friday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET, when the host Rockets face the OHL champion Rangers. The complete tournament schedule can be found below. This year’s 106th edition of the Memorial Cup marks the return of the CHL’s championship event to the Okanagan for the first time since 2004. Held over 11 days, the tournament will see the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL champions join the host Rockets in a four-team round-robin tournament to determine the 2026 CHL champion. 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+. Host – Kelowna Rockets (sixth Memorial Cup appearance – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2026; one Memorial Cup title – 2004) The Kelowna Rockets are set to make their sixth Memorial Cup appearance as hosts of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, bringing the tournament back to Kelowna for the first time since 2004. Kelowna’s six Memorial Cup appearances since 2000 are the second-most of any club across the CHL over that span, underscoring the Rockets’ sustained place among junior hockey’s premier programs. Led by General Manager Bruce Hamilton and Head Coach Derrick Martin, the Rockets enter the tournament after finishing the regular season with a 38-21-6-3 record before sweeping longtime B.C. Division rival Kamloops in the opening round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Kelowna then pushed WHL regular-season champion Everett in the second round, falling in five games to the eventual Ed Chynoweth Cup-winning Silvertips. Now back on home ice at the Memorial Cup, the Rockets will look to capture the franchise’s second Memorial Cup title — and first since winning it all as hosts in 2004. Kelowna is led by Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla, who posted a team-leading 90 points (41G-49A) in 48 regular-season games while ranking second across the CHL in scoring rate at 1.88 points per game — the highest mark by a WHL skater in 2025-26. San Jose Sharks prospect and captain Carson Wetsch also turned in a career year with 72 points (22G-50A) before signing his entry-level contract ahead of the Memorial Cup, while Los Angeles Kings prospect Vojtech Cihar, the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship MVP, made an immediate impact after joining Kelowna and led the club with 13 points (6G-7A) in nine playoff games. In goal, 2026 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Harrison Boettiger gives Kelowna a steady presence, highlighted by a strong first-round performance against Kamloops. With NHL-drafted talent throughout the lineup — including Iginla, Wetsch, Nashville Predators prospect Hiroki Gojsic, New York Islanders prospect Tomas Poletin, Cihar, Montreal Canadiens prospect Hayden Paupanekis, Vancouver Canucks prospect Parker Alcos, and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Peyton Kettles — along with a key draft-eligible player in Boettiger, the Rockets bring high-end skill, depth, and a familiar championship stage to their pursuit of another historic Memorial Cup run in Kelowna. WHL Champions – Everett Silvertips (making their first-ever Memorial Cup appearance in 2026) The Everett Silvertips are set to make their first-ever Memorial Cup appearance after capturing the franchise’s first Ed Chynoweth Cup with a 4-1 series win over the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien. Since joining the WHL in 2003-04, Everett had twice reached the league final — in its inaugural season in 2004 and again in 2018 — but had never broken through. Guided by WHL Coach of the Year Steve Hamilton, who earned his first WHL title as a head coach, the Silvertips delivered a dominant 16-2 playoff run, sweeping Portland and Penticton, defeating Memorial Cup-host Kelowna in five games, and clinching the championship with a 7-2 win over Prince Albert in Game 5. Everett’s breakthrough followed one of the strongest regular seasons in modern WHL history, as the Silvertips captured a second straight Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy with a franchise-best 57-8-2-1 record. Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen led the way offensively with 27 points (14G-13A) in 18 playoff games on his way to WHL Playoffs MVP honours, becoming just the second European player to win the award after Leon Draisaitl with Kelowna in 2015, and the fifth European player across the CHL to be named MVP of his league’s playoffs. Miettinen’s line with Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Matias Vanhanen was central to Everett’s attack, with Bear recording 22 points (7G-15A) and Vanhanen adding 24 (12G-12A). On the blueline, 16-year-old and top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Landon DuPont elevated his game in the absence of injured captain Tarin Smith, posting 23 points (5G-18A) in 18 playoff contests. Florida Panthers prospect Shea Busch delivered a hat trick in the Game 5 clincher, while midseason acquisition Anders Miller was the goalie of record in all 18 playoff games, finishing 16-2. Built by General Manager Mike Fraser, Everett’s roster features five NHL-drafted prospects — Miettinen, Bear, Busch, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Luke Vlooswyk, and Smith — along with notable NHL Draft prospects Vanhanen, DuPont, and Brek Liske. Now, after finally breaking through as WHL Champions, the Silvertips head to Kelowna looking to complete the greatest season in franchise history by capturing their first Memorial Cup title. OHL Champions – Kitchener Rangers (seventh Memorial Cup appearance – 1981, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2003, 2008 & 2026; two Memorial Cup titles – 1982 & 2003) The Kitchener Rangers are set to make their seventh Memorial Cup appearance — tied for the second-most since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972 — after capturing the franchise’s fifth J. Ross Robertson Cup with a sweep of the Barrie Colts in the 2026 OHL Championship Series presented by Nissan. Kitchener sealed its first OHL title since 2008 with a 4-2 win in Game 4 at Sadlon Arena, as Christian Humphreys tipped home the eventual game-winner midway through the third period before Sam O’Reilly added an empty-netter to secure the championship. Built by General Manager Mike McKenzie and guided by Head Coach Jussi Ahokas, the Rangers finished the postseason with a dominant 16-2 record, sweeping Saginaw in the opening round, defeating the Soo Greyhounds and Windsor Spitfires in five games apiece, and closing out Barrie in four straight to return to the Memorial Cup for the first time in 18 years. Kitchener’s championship run was powered by one of the deepest lineups in the CHL, featuring 12 NHL-drafted players and high-end talent throughout the roster. Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly led the way with 28 points (17G-11A) in 18 playoff games on his way to Wayne Gretzky “99” Award honours as OHL Playoff MVP, capping a standout season in which he also captured the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player. In doing so, O’Reilly became just the seventh player in OHL history to win the Red Tilson Trophy and the Wayne Gretzky “99” Trophy in the same season. By winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup, O’Reilly and Los Angeles Kings prospect Jared Woolley became just the second and third players in OHL history since 1980 to win three consecutive OHL championships, joining Scott Timmins (2008-10) as the only players to achieve the feat. Colorado Avalanche prospect Christian Humphreys was a key offensive driver and delivered the championship-clinching goal, while Nashville Predators first-round pick and captain Cameron Reid anchored the Rangers from the back end before accepting the J. Ross Robertson Cup. Kitchener also received major contributions from Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham, New York Islanders prospect Luca Romano, Ottawa Senators prospect Luke Ellinas, Vancouver Canucks prospect Gabriel Chiarot, and a deep drafted group that included Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Matthew Hlacar, Montreal Canadiens prospect Andrew MacNiel, San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch, and Ottawa Senators prospect Matthew Andonovski. Now, the Rangers head to Kelowna looking to add a third Memorial Cup championship to one of the OHL’s most decorated résumés. QMJHL Champions – Chicoutimi Saguenéens (fourth Memorial Cup appearance – 1991, 1994, 1997 & 2026) The Chicoutimi Saguenéens are set to make their fourth Memorial Cup appearance — and first in nearly 30 years — after capturing the franchise’s third Gilles-Courteau Trophy with a six-game victory over the Moncton Wildcats in the 2026 QMJHL Championship Series. The title marked Chicoutimi’s first QMJHL championship in 32 years, dating back to 1994, and capped a dominant playoff run that saw the Saguenéens sweep Halifax and Québec, defeat Rouyn-Noranda in six games, and outlast Moncton in the final. Built and guided by Head Coach and General Manager Yanick Jean, the QMJHL’s all-time winningest head coach and the 2025-26 Maurice-Filion Trophy recipient as General Manager of the Year, Chicoutimi turned one of the most complete seasons in franchise history into its long-awaited return to the Memorial Cup. The Saguenéens’ championship followed a standout regular season in which they finished just one point shy of first overall in the QMJHL while leading the QMJHL in both goals for and goals against. Chicoutimi captured the Luc-Robitaille Trophy as the QMJHL’s top offensive team with 321 goals and the Robert-Lebel Trophy as the league’s top defensive club after allowing just 150, while its 49 wins ranked second in franchise history. Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Massé led the way after a career-defining campaign in which he won the Michel-Brière Trophy as QMJHL MVP and the Jean-Béliveau Trophy as the league’s top scorer with 102 points, including a CHL co-leading 51 goals. Massé continued to drive the offence in the postseason, leading Chicoutimi with 24 points (6G-18A), while Mavrick Lachance, Nathan Lecompte, captain Emmanuel Vermette, Anaheim Ducks prospect Émile Guité, Washington Capitals prospect Maxim Schäfer, and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Liam Lefebvre helped give the Sags scoring depth throughout the lineup. Ranked No. 38 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Lefebvre finished the postseason with 12 points, including points in seven of his final 10 outings. On the back end, Nashville Predators prospect Alex Huang anchored a blue line strengthened by Utah Mammoth prospect Tomas Lavoie, Seattle Kraken prospect Alexis Bernier, and veteran Jordan Tourigny, while Ottawa Senators prospect Lucas Beckman was outstanding in goal, winning all 16 of Chicoutimi’s playoff victories with a 1.98 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. With seven NHL prospects across the roster and elite talent in every position group, the Saguenéens head to Kelowna looking to complete their first Memorial Cup championship run in franchise history. _ SCHEDULE Round-Robin – Game 1 – Friday, May 22 – Kitchener vs. Kelowna (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Round-Robin – Game 2 – Saturday, May 23 – Everett vs. Chicoutimi (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Round-Robin – Game 3 – Sunday, May 24 – Kelowna vs. Chicoutimi (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Round-Robin – Game 4 – Monday, May 25 – Everett vs. Kitchener (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Round-Robin – Game 5 – Tuesday, May 26 – Chicoutimi vs. Kitchener (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Round-Robin – Game 6 – Wednesday, May 27 – Kelowna vs. Everett (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Tie-Breaker (*if necessary) – Thursday, May 28 (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Semi-Final – Friday, May 29 (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) Championship Final – Sunday, May 31 (7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT)

Important QMJHL Entry Draft Ticket Information

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:52:31 +0000

HALIFAX, NS, May 19, 2026 - Hockey fans from across Atlantic Canada and beyond will descend on Halifax this June as the city hosts the 2026 QMJHL Draft, presented by Fenplast, for the first time ever. The two-day event will take place June 5–6, 2026 at the iconic Scotiabank Centre, marking an historic milestone in the Halifax Mooseheads franchise’s 32-year history. Click Here for Event Info "We are so excited to bring the QMJHL draft to Halifax. This has been one of the goals since our ownership began, and these few days will truly showcase the city at its finest,” said Sam Simon – Chairman/Owner and Peter Simon – President of Simon Sports. "An event of this magnitude is only possible through the tireless dedication of our local organizing committee. We extend our sincerest gratitude to every member for their efforts in bringing this vision to life. Most importantly, we look forward to demonstrating why Halifax is home to the best fanbase in the world. Our fans' unmatched passion is the heartbeat of this team and will undoubtedly make this a historic and unforgettable draft weekend for Moose Country." The annual draft serves as the league’s premier selection event for players aged 15-17, and will bring together all 18 QMJHL teams, draft-eligible players and their families, league officials, partners, media, and fans from across Atlantic Canada, Québec, and the United States. Attendance is expected to reach approximately 10,000 throughout the weekend, with most participants travelling from outside Nova Scotia. The 12-round process begins with the first round on Friday evening at 7:30pm (doors at 6pm) for the selection of the top 18 prospects. The Halifax Mooseheads hold 14 picks in the Draft, including third and seventh overall picks in the first round, plus four second-round selections. The second round begins on Saturday, June 6, at 10am (doors at 9am). Each day of the Draft is free to attend; with General Admission tickets becoming available for fans at 10am AT on Thursday, May 28^th at Ticketmaster.ca. Fans are invited to enjoy an outdoor DJ party taking place at the Duke and Carmichael Street entrances from 6–7pm on Friday evening, kicking off a celebration of hockey and community in downtown Halifax. “Halifax is incredibly proud to host the QMJHL Entry Draft for the very first time. There’s a real energy that comes with moments like this — and there’s no better place to celebrate the next generation of hockey talent than here in Halifax, a region where our connection to hockey runs deep We’re excited to welcome players, families, fans, and teams to our community and showcase the passion, hospitality, and spirit that make this region such a special place.” — Mayor Andy Fillmore, Halifax Regional Municipality. The Draft is expected to generate significant economic and tourism benefits for the region while further strengthening Halifax’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events. Both days of the Draft can be watched live on Eastlink Community TV and streamed live via FloHockey, with highlights on the official QMJHL YouTube Channel. Follow the Halifax Mooseheads on Instagram, Facebook and X for exclusive interviews and information. Additional event details will be announced closer to the event date. View the final list of prospects here. View the complete Draft Order here.