Knights return home to championship celebration
After a thrilling 17th straight win to capture the 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup title in overtime on Sunday in Red Deer, the London Knights and their fans were ready to celebrate.
Upon landing on Monday afternoon, the Knights were met by a large crowd of fans and supporters in downtown London as the entire team took centre stage at the Victoria Park band shell to share the moment with observers young and old.
“This is what the kids all played for,” said Knights head coach Dale Hunter from the podium. “What you see out here today with all the fans here supporting us. You still supported us win or lose, we started the playoffs off a little slow, but we came back.”
LONDON KNIGHTS MASTERCARD MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION:
Hunter considers the overtime win over Rouyn-Noranda as one of the most intense games he’s ever been a part of.
“We played a very tough team,” he said. “It was the game of all games and it might be one of the best Memorial Cup Finals ever, I got more grey hair because of it,” he laughed, “but kids dug deep… you need character to win, and that is what these guys all have. We’re very proud of them.”
Knights general manager Basil McRae took the opportunity to thank the team’s hockey operations, business and support staffs.
“It’s a team effort and we’re very fortunate to have a great team here starting with our trainers who work endless hours,” he said. “A lot of our coaches in the back office put in a lot of hours doing tape, video and analytics, we have a hard-working team of scouts and a lot of staff who stayed back here in London. We’re thankful for all of them.”
The Knights bring the MasterCard Memorial Cup title back to the OHL, marking just the second time since the inauguration of a tournament format in 1972 that OHL teams have won consecutive championships.
(Photo: Andrew Stephenson/Shake Media)