Memorial Cup Top Performer: May 23, 2025

Rimouski, Que.- It’s not just any old day at work, but Bryce Pickford was right at home in his office in Game 1 of the 2025 Memorial Cup.

The 2025 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman netted two critical goals in Medicine Hat’s tournament-opening 5-4 win against the host Rimouski Oceanic on Friday night.

“The first game is, obviously, the hardest to get used to the used to- the rink, the crowd- but I thought we had a good start,” Pickford said. “They’re a really good team over there, so they gave us a run for our money. I’m just happy we found a way to win.”

Pickford’s clutch performance helped the Tabbies pull off a third-period comeback for the team’s first win at the tournament since 2007- and keep a historic streak alive.

With the Oceanic leading 2-1 late in the second period, Medicine Hat took advantage of a powerplay as Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk teed up Pickford for a deadly wrister from his usual spot above the right faceoff dot.

While Rimouski would quickly retake their lead and enter intermission 20 minutes away from a win, the Tigers came into the final frame with a renewed fervour.

Pickford struck again with a nearly identical tally from the left side just 78 seconds into the frame.

The 6-foot, 190-pound right-shot rearguard now has goals in nine straight games.

He set a modern league record (1996-present) for goals in consecutive playoff games by a defenceman with 10 tallies in eight-straight games to close out the 2025 WHL Playoffs.

The 19-year-old finished the game with six shots on net.

Pickford is ranked 100th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s final rankings ahead of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft- though that list came out prior to his electric postseason push.

“There’s lots of people watching right now,: Tigers General Manager and Head Coach Willie Desjardins said. “If you don’t play well, or you do play well, people will certainly notice. But you know, he’s played hard for us all year.

Pickford is also the only skater on Medicine Hat with previous Memorial Cup experience.

He lifted the Ed Chynoweth Cup as a rookie with the powerhouse Seattle Thunderbirds in 2023 and appeared in five games at the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, B.C.

The Tigers acquired Pickford in exchange for a trove of picks during the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft and immediately slapped an ‘A’ on his jersey at the start of the 2024-25 season.

“I brought him probably more for probably his character and his battle level,” Desjardins added. “I didn’t know he had quite this much offense, but he works on his shot all the time. He stays late and he works on that shot. So it’s good. It’s paying off for him.”

Now, Pickford and company turn their attention to some much-needed rest and preparation for Monday’s tilt against the QMJHL Champion Moncton Wildcats.

The big-cat battle goes down on May 26 at 5:00 p.m. MST.

Viewers in Canada can catch the action on TSN, while viewers outside of the country can stream the 2025 Memorial Cup for free on Victory+.