2015 Memorial Cup starts Friday!

[Axeman33]

On friday, the 2015 Memorial Cup starts up.

The host city, Quebec Remparts made it all the way to the Presidents Cup (QMJHL trophy) final and lost in double overtime in game seven to the Rimouski Oceanic. With Quebec already the host city, both teams were guaranteed to make the Mem Cup, but still nice to see both want to win the Q title.

The OHL will be represented by the Oshawa Generals and the WHL will be represented by the Kelowna Rockets.

Plenty of talent to watch. I enjoy watching the draft eligible as much as I do the kids already drafted. This should be a fantastic tournament. Lots of high end talent and skill.

I am going to predict an Oshawa win this year but really, all four teams are quality teams and anyone would win it.

Looking at Quebec:

Record: 40-25-3, 83 points, 4th place in the QMJHL, Lost in QMJHL Presidents Cup Final game seven game overtime to the Oceanic.

NHL Drafted Prospects: Adam Erne (Tampa Bay), Zachary Fucale (Montreal), Anthony Duclair (Phoenix), Marco Roy (Edmonton), Ryan Graves (Rangers)

Top Draft Eligibles: Dmytro Timashov, Vladimir Tkachev, Callum Booth

Looking at Rimouski:
Record: 47-16-5, 99 points, 1st place in the QMJHL, Won QMJHL Presidents Cup with a seven game victory over the Quebec Remparts.

NHL Drafted Prospects: Samuel Morin (Philadelphia), Frederik Gauthier (Toronto), Jan Kostalek (Winnipeg), Phillippe Desrosiers, Christopher Clapperton (Florida)

Top Draft Eligibles: Simon Bourque

Lokoing at Oshawa:

Record: 51-11-6, 108 points, 2nd place in OHL, Won the J. Ross Robertson Cup 4-1 over Erie.

NHL Drafted Prospects: Michael Dal Colle (Brooklyn) Michael McCarron (Montreal), Cole Cassels (Vancouver), Hunter Smith (Calgary) Tobias Lindberg (Ottawa), Matthew Mistele (Los Angeles), Josh Brown (Florida),

Top Draft Eligibles: Mitchell Vande Sompel

Looking at Kelowna:

Record: 53-13-6, 112 points, 2nd in the WHL, Won the Ed Chynoweth Cup 4-0 over Brandon.

NHL Drafted Prospects: Madison Bowey (Washington), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Rourke Chartier (San Jose), Justin Kirkland (Nashville), Tyrell Goulbourne (Philadelphia)

Top Draft Eligibles: Nick Merkley

[STLblues]

I wish there was better coverage of this in the US......a shame to miss it

[Big Ev]

Vince Dunn was actually kicked off the team and sent home during the regular season lol.

[MarmotKing]

Go Oceanic!

[Axeman33]

Vince Dunn was actually kicked off the team and sent home during the regular season lol.

Yes indeed he was. Fixed! Thanks.

[Zorro]

The games have been great so far.. The two QMJHL teams have really impressed me.. Oshawa had a huge OT win last night.. That Cassels kid looks good.. Kelowna needs a win tonight badly..

[Godin]

Thanks for the info Axeman. Watched the game last night and Oshawa looked really good. Dominant most of the time. Appleby didn't have his best game either. Both teams have speed.

[Godin]

Surprised tonights game between the 2 Quebec teams is far from sold out in the 15000 seat arena.

[Zorro]

Oshawa vs. Kelowna.. Finally!! The two Quebec teams were quick/flashy but these two teams are the cream of the crop!!

[Big Ev]

whl vs ohl. The real leagues.

[Zorro]

Who wins tonight?? Oshawa or Kelowna??

[Axeman33]

whl vs ohl. The real leagues.

I guess the team from the Q winning three of the last four Mem Cups were all flukes.

[CascadeFilly]

Who wins tonight?? Oshawa or Kelowna??

You know I'm hoping for a strong game from Morrissey! Kelowna 5-3.

I guess the team from the Q winning three of the last four Mem Cups were all flukes.

Zing!

[rainydrinkwater]

Pace has picked up nicely here toward the end of the 2nd period. Good game. Should be a great finish!

[Godin]

Interesting. It was just noted that Kelowna players have played a total 37 NHL games compared to Oshawa's zero.