OHL graduates win 2024 Stanley Cup title with Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup Champions for the first time in their 30-year history, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday in Sunrise, Fla. A total of eight former OHL players are part of the Stanley Cup-winning roster while several more names in the organization’s front office have come through the league in a playing or managerial capacity.
Carter Verhaeghe (Niagara IceDogs) opened the scoring early in the first period for Florida before Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67’s/Owen Sound Attack) picked up an assist on Edmonton’s equalizer before the expiration of the first period.
WHL graduate Sam Reinhart scored the deciding goal in the third period as the Panthers held on, halting Edmonton’s charge back from a 3-0 series deficit before a capacity crowd in South Florida.
Former Memorial Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights) finished tied for the Panthers postseason lead in scoring with 22 points (6-16–22) over 24 games. Verhaeghe trailed close behind with 21 points (11-10–21) in the playoffs.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice is a Stanley Cup champion for the first time in his 27-year NHL coaching career. The Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. native and former Windsor Spitfire and Detroit Jr. Red Wing coached Detroit to an OHL Championship in 1995.
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Erie Otters graduate led the postseason with 42 points, including an NHL record 34 assists. McDavid was MVP of the OHL Playoffs in 2015, claiming the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the Otters came up short against the eventual Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals. McDavid becomes the sixth player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy despite his team falling short.
The Panthers played to an Atlantic Division-leading 52-24-6 record during the regular season before embarking on the playoffs where they eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers before besting Edmonton in seven games.
OHL Alumni crowned 2024 Stanley Cup Champions with the Florida Panthers:
Forwards:
Sam Bennett (Kingston Frontenacs, 2012-15)
Nick Cousins (Soo Greyhounds, 2009-13)
Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack, 2014-18)
Steven Lorentz (Peterborough Petes, 2013-17)
Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights, 2015-16)
Carter Verhaeghe (Niagara IceDogs, 2011-15)
Defencemen:
Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts, 2011-14)
Goaltenders:
Anthony Stolarz (London Knights, 2012-14)
Hockey Ops./Front Office:
Head Coach – Paul Maurice (Windsor Spitfires/Detroit Jr. Red Wings, 1984-95)
Assistant General Manager – Gregory Campbell (Plymouth Whalers/Kitchener Rangers, 2000-03)
Sr. Advisor to General Manager – Rick Dudley (St. Catharines Black Hawks, 1968-69)
Amateur Scout – Jeff Twohey (Peterborough Petes/Oshawa Generals, 1980-2014)
Pro Scout – Dalton Prout (Sarnia Sting/Barrie Colts/Saginaw Spirit, 2006-11)
Chief Revenue Officer – Shawn Thornton (Peterborough Petes, 1995-97)
