The Memorial Cup is here, and the battle for junior hockey’s holy grail begins Friday night in Kelowna. There are plenty of storylines to dig into from first time appearances on the back of incredible performances to go with a three decade drought being snapped to catapult a team to the first appearance in the show since the 1990s!
There is a ton to dissect, so without further adieu, let’s get into it!
https://x.com/CHLHockey/status/2056475517457400263
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Kelowna Rockets (38-21-6-3) – 2026 Memorial Cup Hosts
Coach: Derrick Martin
Memorial Cup championships: 2004
League Championships: 2003, 2005, 2009, 2015
How they got here:
The Kelowna Rockets are still alive on their host status for the tournament. Eliminated in round two of the WHL playoffs, the Rockets are against the headwinds of history. Since the start of the host-era of the tournament in 1983, a host participating without a league championship have won just nine times, and just twice has a team won without reaching it to their league conference finals (2017 Windsor Spitfires, 2022 Saint John Sea Dogs). It will be an uphill battle to reach the top, but they have rest on their side and as good a shot as any with great talent at the top of the lineup. Not to mention a favourable home crowd.
NHL prospects: (Team, Draft Position, Draft Year)
Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth, No. 6, 2024)
Peyton Kettles (Pittsburgh Penguins, No. 39, 2025)
Vojtech Cihar (Los Angeles Kings, No. 59, 2025)
Carson Wetsch (San Jose Sharks, No. 82, 2024)
Hiroki Gojsic (Nashville Predators, No. 94, 2024)
Thomas Poletin (New York Islanders, No. 106, 2025)
Parker Alcos (Vancouver Canucks, No. 189, 2024)
Will Sharpe (Los Angeles Kings, No. 216, 2025)
Top 2026 NHL Prospects:
None.
Leading Scorers:
Tij Iginla – 41G, 49A, 90P
Carson Wetsch – 22 goals, 50 assists, 72 points (65GP)
Mazden Leslie – 18 goals, 50 assists, 68 points (67GP)
X-Factor: Tij Iginla
The Rockets will need everything they can get from Iginla offensively in this tournament. He put up almost two points per game in the regular season, so he will need to pull his weight plus more to get the Rockets to the promised land.
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Chicoutimi Sagueneens (49-10-3-2) – QMJHL Champions
Coach: Yanick Jean
Memorial Cup championships: None
League Championships: 1991, 1994, 2026
How they got here:
Chicoutimi captured their first QMJHL title in 32 seasons, punching their ticket to the dance for the first time since 1994. The Sagueneens looked unstoppable for much of the season, and might be the team to beat at the tournament. They have it all. They have top junior talent at the top of their lineup with plenty of firepower throughout the roster
NHL prospects: (Team, Draft Position, Draft Year)
RW Maxim Masse (Anaheim Ducks, 66th Overall, 2024)
RHD Alexis Bernier (Seattle Kraken, 73rd Overall, 2024)
RHD Tomas Lavoie (Utah Mammoth, 89th Overall, 2024)
LW Maxim Schafer (Washington Capitals, 96th Overall, 2025)
G Lucas Beckman (Ottawa Senators, 97th Overall, 2025)
RHD Alex Huang (Nashville Predators, 122nd Overall, 2025)
LW Emile Guite (Anaheim Ducks, 159th Overall, 2025)
Top 2026 NHL Prospects:
C Liam Lefebvre (38th Ranked NA Skater, NHL CS)
Leading Scorers:
Maxim Masse – 51G, 51A, 102P
Thomas Deruisseaux – 24G, 52A, 76P
Alex Huang – 11G, 59A, 70P
X-Factor: Lucas Beckman
Beckman was borderline unbeatable up until the back half of the QMJHL Finals. He neared historic levels statistically and carried his team whenever they struggled offensively. He is a calm netminder who will make an impact in this tournament. But just how big could determine how far the Sags can go.
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Kitchener Rangers (47-14-5-2) – OHL Champions
Coach: Jussi Ahokas
Memorial Cup championships: 1982, 2003
League Championships: 1981, 1982, 2003, 2008, 2026
How they got here:
Not many teams in junior hockey can boast the depth the Rangers possess. With the most drafted NHL talent per any team at the tournament. They finished the postseason with a 16-2 record and completed a sweep in the championship series against the Barrie Colts. They boast what should be the greatest advantage amongst the tournament’s forward and defensive groups, and a highly regarded tactician behind the bench in Jussi Ahokas.
NHL prospects: (Team, Draft Position, Draft Year)
LHD Cameron Reid (Nashville Predators, No. 21, 2025)
C Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay Lightning via Edmonton Oilers, No. 32, 2024)
C Luca Romano (New York Islanders, No. 74, 2025)
RW Jack Pridham (Chicago Blackhawks, No. 92, 2024)
LW Luke Ellinas (Ottawa Senators, No. 104, 2024)
G Christian Kirsch (San Jose Sharks, No. 116, 2024
RHD Matthew Andonovski (Ottawa Senators, No. 140, 2025)
LHD Jared Woolley (Los Angeles Kings, No. 164, 2024)
RW Gabriel Chiarot (Vancouver Canucks, No. 175, 2025)
RHD Matthew Macniel (Montreal Canadiens, No. 189, 2025)
LW Christian Humphreys (Colorado Avalanche, No. 215, 2024)
LW Mathew Hlacar (Toronto Maple Leafs, No. 217, 2025)
Top 2026 NHL Prospects:
LHD Alexander Bilecki (#49 NA Skater, NHL Central Scouting)
G Jason Schaubel (#36 NA Goalies, NHL Central Scouting)
Weston Cameron (#196 NA Skater, NHL Central Scouting)
Jack Pridham – 46G, 44A, 90P
Dylan Edwards – 40G, 47A, 87P
Christian Humphreys – 27G, 58A, 85P
X-Factor: Sam O’Reilly
The playoff MVP almost always has to be spectacular for their team when they get to this point. But O’Reilly is mature beyond his years. He won’t blow the doors off offensively, but he will impact the game in every other way. He will be used in critical matchups and big moments. This will be a big chance for him to continue to write his legend.
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Everett Silvertips (57-8-2-1) – WHL Champions
Coach: Steve Hamilton
Memorial Cup championships: None.
League Championships: 2026
How they got here: The Silvertips had a benchmark season for their franchise by capturing their first ever Ed Chynoweth Trophy for the WHL champions after a dominating run. A 16-2 record including a steamroll of the Prince Albert Raiders to capture the title. The Silvertips boast talent top to bottom from elite drafted NHL talent to a 1OA waiting in the wings in Landon Dupont, this team has it all, They come in to the tournament as one of the favorites when they open the tournament Saturday against Chicoutimi.
NHL prospects: (Team, Draft Position, Draft Year)
LW Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings, No. 13, 2025)
C Julius Miettinen (Seattle Kraken, No. 40, 2024)
LHD Tarin Smith (Anaheim Ducks, No. 79, 2024)
LW Shea Busch (Florida Panthers, No. 128, 2024)
RHD Luke Vlooskyk (Philadelphia Flyers, No. 157, 2025)
Top 2026 NHL Prospects:
RHD Brett Liske (#44 NA Skater, NHL Central Scouting)
F Matias Vanhanen (#54 NA Skater, NHL Central Scouting)
Matias Vanhanen – 21G,66A, 87P
Carter Bear – 36G, 41A, 77P
Julius Miettinen – 35G, 41A, 76P
X-Factor: Landon Dupont
Dupont became the first defenceman in WHL history to be granted exceptional status to join the league a year early and he has not disappointed. The early consensus 2027 top prospect put up 73 points in his 16-year-old season, finished fifth in league playoff scoring and second among defenders behind Daxon Rudolph. The tournament is usually dominated by overagers and players who spent three years building up to this, but Dupont has an opportunity to set the tone heading into his draft year.
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The Memorial Cup is a special time where we get to see some of the top talent Canadian junior hockey has to offer. Thank you for tuning in for junior hockey coverage with myself and everyone at Dobber Prospects this season. Lots to come and plenty to look forward to!
Sean Crocker