[{"id":268115,"date":"2026-05-31T21:41:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T03:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/whl\/?p=268115"},"modified":"2026-05-31T22:09:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T04:09:42","slug":"silvertips-concede-in-memorial-cup-final-to-ohls-kitchener-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chl.ca\/whl\/article\/silvertips-concede-in-memorial-cup-final-to-ohls-kitchener-rangers","title":{"rendered":"Silvertips concede in Memorial Cup final to OHL’s Kitchener Rangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kelowna, B.C.-\u00a0<\/strong>A historic season for one of the WHL’s most consistent clubs has come to an end.<\/p>\n

After setting a franchise record for wins (57), collecting a second-straight regular season title and the club’s first WHL Championship, the Everett Silvertips fell 6-2 to the Kitchener Rangers in the Memorial Cup Final.<\/p>\n

“We rode this train as long as we could,” 2026 WHL Coach of the Year Steve Hamilton said. “We played 91 games and never lost back-to-back. I don’t know if any other teams can say that. Incredibly proud of our group. I mean, we’re WHL champions. This is the greatest team in Everett Silvertips history.”<\/p>\n

NHL Draft-eligible Matias Vanhanen (NHL CSS: 54) and Landon DuPont, the WHL’s first exceptional-status defenceman, were also named to the 2026 Memorial Cup All-Star Team.<\/p>\n

Everett reached the title match in its tournament debut, despite having the fewest NHL prospects (five) of any of the four participating teams.<\/p>\n

Vanhanen and Detroit Red Wings first-round pick Carter Bear netted the team’s pair against the OHL champs.<\/p>\n

The Blueshirts were first on the board in front of a sold-out crowd at Prospera Place.<\/p>\n

Alexander Bilecki drove a long shot on net, where Ottawa Senators pick Luke Ellinas was all alone to tip a shot off his skate and past Anders Miller.<\/p>\n

But the Silvertips answered back on the very next shift.<\/p>\n

Vanhanen burst over the blue line before passing off to DuPont, who whipped a shot on San Jose Sharks prospect Christian Kirsch.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly attempted to collect the rebound, but Vanhanen was in a perfect position to swat the loose puck into the net for his fourth goal of the tournament.<\/p>\n

With the primary assist, DuPont tied former Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa for most points by an exceptional-status skater in the Memorial Cup with five.<\/p>\n

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WHAT A RESPONSE FROM THE TIPS!!! \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8<\/p>\n

Matias Vanhanen (2026 #NHLDraft<\/a> Eligible Prospect) gets his 4th of the #MemorialCup<\/a> and evens things up. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 TSN 1\/3\/4 | RDS
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 NHL Network | Victory+@WHLsilvertips<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3f3Y6qat2f<\/a><\/p>\n

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 31, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n