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2016 Memorial Cup

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Silver bowl trophy with two large handles, mounted on a wide black plinth engraved with team names on silver plates.
The Memorial Cup trophy

Key Information

The 2016 Memorial Cup (branded as the 2016 Mastercard Memorial Cup for sponsorship reasons) was a four-team, round-robin format tournament that took place at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, from May 20–29, 2016. It was the 98th Memorial Cup championship and determined the champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The tournament was hosted by the Red Deer Rebels, who won the right to host the tournament over a bid by the Vancouver Giants.[1] Other teams participating were the WHL champion Brandon Wheat Kings, the OHL champion London Knights, and the QMJHL champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The tournament ended with the London Knights winning their second Memorial Cup, defeating the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 3–2 in overtime in the championship final. The Knights won 17 consecutive games to take the title, dating back to the second round of the OHL playoffs.

Red Deer was the first city in Alberta to host since 1974, and the Rebels were therefore the first Albertan host team since the tournament adopted its current format in 1983. All games were televised in Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The NHL Network televised the games in the United States.

Mitch Marner lifts the Memorial Cup over his head following the London Knights' victory.

Round-robin standings

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W L GF GA
1 London Knights (OHL) 3 3 0 20 5 Advanced directly to the championship game
2 Red Deer Rebels (WHL/Host) 3 2 1 9 9 Advanced to the semifinal game
3 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL) 3 1 2 9 13
4 Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) 3 0 3 5 16
Source: [citation needed]

Schedule

[edit]

All times local (UTC −7)[2]

Round robin

[edit]
May 20 Red Deer Rebels 2–6 London Knights ENMAX Centrium Recap  
No scoring First period 13:51 – ppAaron Berisha (1)
16:39 – Christian Dvorak (1)
18:31 – Christian Dvorak (2)
Luke Philp (1) – 19:45 Second period 13:04 – Mitch Marner (1)
16:59 – ppVictor Mete (1)
18:45 – Mitch Marner (2)
Adam Helewka (1) – 9:35 Third period No scoring
Rylan Toth 30 saves / 36 shots Goalie stats Tyler Parsons 30 saves / 32 shots


May 21 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 5–3 Brandon Wheat Kings ENMAX Centrium Recap  
A.J. Greer (1) – 14:06
Gabriel Fontaine (1) – 18:33
Timo Meier (1) – 19:36
First period 2:44 – Reid Duke (1)
Philippe Myers (1) – pp – 13:29
Timo Meier (2) – 17:10
Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 8:07 – Tyler Coulter (1)
12:14 – John Quenneville (1)
Chase Marchand 38 saves / 41 shots Goalie stats Jordan Papirny 24 saves / 29 shots


May 22 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 2–5 Red Deer Rebels ENMAX Centrium Recap  
Timo Meier (3) – pp – 4:17
Julien Nantel (1) – 8:00
First period 11:07 – Evan Polei (1)
No scoring Second period 0:40 – Adam Helewka (2)
4:46 – ppJake DeBrusk (1)
8:50 – Adam Helewka (3)
No scoring Third period 16:56 – Haydn Fleury (1)
Chase Marchand 33 saves / 38 shots Goalie stats Rylan Toth 22 saves / 24 shots


May 23 London Knights 9–1 Brandon Wheat Kings ENMAX Centrium Recap  
Christian Dvorak (3) – pp – 4:35
Cliff Pu (1) – 7:50
Aaron Berisha (2) – pp – 14:36
Matthew Tkachuk (1) – 19:29
First period No scoring
J.J. Piccinich (1) – 4:30
Christian Dvorak (4) – pp – 10:51
Max Jones (1) – 18:16
Second period 6:26 – ppStelio Mattheos (1)
Christian Dvorak (5) – 0:43
Daniel Bernhardt (1) – pp – 2:44
Third period No scoring
Tyler Parsons 24 saves / 25 shots
Brendan Burke 11 saves / 11 shots
Goalie stats Jordan Papirny 19 saves / 26 shots
Logan Thompson 3 saves / 5 shots


May 24 London Knights 5–2 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies ENMAX Centrium Recap  
J.J. Piccinich (2) – pp – 6:06
Matthew Tkachuk (2) – pp – 17:43
First period No scoring
Max Jones (2) - sh - 17:28 Second period 10:04 – ppTimo Meier (4)
Christian Dvorak (6) – pp – 6:20
Matthew Tkachuk (3) – en – 18:29
Third period 7:59 – pp – Timo Meier (5)
Tyler Parsons 30 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Chase Marchand 20 saves / 24 shots


May 25 Brandon Wheat Kings 1–2 OT Red Deer Rebels ENMAX Centrium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Tim McGauley (1) – 11:26 Second period No scoring
No scoring Third period 14:55 – Adam Musil (1)
No scoring First overtime period 3:50 – Evan Polei (2)
Jordan Papirny 30 saves / 32 shots Goalie stats Rylan Toth 33 saves / 34 shots

Playoff round

[edit]

Semi-final

[edit]
May 27 Red Deer Rebels 1–3 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies ENMAX Centrium Recap  
No scoring First period 10:51 – ppFrancis Perron (1)
11:58 – Mārtiņš Dzierkals (1)
Luke Philp (2) – pp – 13:34 Second period 5:04 – ppNikolas Brouillard (1)
No scoring Third period No scoring
Rylan Toth 24 saves / 27 shots Goalie stats Chase Marchand 36 saves / 37 shots

Final

[edit]
May 29 London Knights 3–2 OT Rouyn-Noranda Huskies ENMAX Centrium Recap  
No scoring First period No scoring
Matthew Tkachuk (4) – 9:19 Second period 9:34 – Francis Perron (2)
Christian Dvorak (7) – 15:49 Third period 9:13 – Julien Nantel (2)
Matthew Tkachuk (5) – 7:49 First overtime period No scoring
Tyler Parsons 29 saves / 31 shots Goalie stats Chase Marchand 30 saves / 33 saves

Statistical leaders

[edit]

Skaters

[edit]
Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Mitch Marner London Knights 4 2 12 14 4
Christian Dvorak London Knights 4 7 5 12 0
Matthew Tkachuk London Knights 4 5 3 8 4
Timo Meier Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 5 5 3 8 6
Francis Perron Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 5 2 6 8 0
Olli Juolevi London Knights 4 0 7 7 6
Haydn Fleury Red Deer Rebels 4 1 4 5 4
Adam Helewka Red Deer Rebels 4 3 1 4 0
Aaron Berisha London Knights 4 2 2 4 0
Max Jones London Knights 4 2 2 4 8

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltending

[edit]

This is a combined table of the top goaltenders based on goals against average and save percentage with at least 120 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA.

Player Team GP W L OTL SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
Tyler Parsons London Knights 4 4 0 0 120 7 1.78 .942 0 235
Rylan Toth Red Deer Rebels 4 2 2 0 121 12 2.99 .901 0 241
Chase Marchand Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 5 2 2 1 173 16 3.13 .908 0 307
Jordan Papirny Brandon Wheat Kings 3 0 2 1 87 14 5.16 .839 0 163

GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SA = Shots against; GA = Goals against; GAA = Goals against average; SV% = Save percentage; SO = Shutouts; TOI = Time on ice (minutes:seconds)

Awards

[edit]

Rosters

[edit]

Road to the Cup

[edit]

WHL Playoffs

[edit]
Conference Quarter-finals Conference Semi-finals Conference Finals WHL Championship
            
E1 Brandon 4
W2 Edmonton 2
E1 Brandon 4
E3 Moose Jaw 1
E2 Prince Albert 1
E3 Moose Jaw 4
E1 Brandon 4
Eastern
C2 Red Deer 1
C2 Red Deer 4
C3 Calgary 1
C2 Red Deer 4
W1 Regina 3
C1 Lethbridge 1
W1 Regina 4
E1 Brandon 4
U1 Seattle 1
B1 Victoria 4
W2 Spokane 2
B1 Victoria 3
B2 Kelowna 4
B2 Kelowna 4
B3 Kamloops 3
B2 Kelowna 0
Western
U1 Seattle 4
U1 Seattle 4
W1 Prince George 0
U1 Seattle 4
U2 Everett 1
U2 Everett 4
U3 Portland 0

OHL Playoffs

[edit]
Conference Quarter-finals Conference Semi-finals Conference Finals OHL Championship
            
2 Barrie 4
7 Mississauga 3
2 Barrie 4
3 North Bay 0
3 North Bay 4
6 Peterborough 3
2 Barrie 0
Eastern Conference
4 Niagara 4
1 Kingston 4
8 Oshawa 1
1 Kingston 0
4 Niagara 4
4 Niagara 4
5 Ottawa 1
E4 Niagara 0
Note: Pairings are re-seeded after the first round.
W3 London 4
1 Erie 4
8 Saginaw 0
1 Erie 4
7 Sault Ste. Marie 1
2 Sarnia 3
7 Sault Ste. Marie 4
1 Erie 0
Western Conference
3 London 4
3 London 4
6 Owen Sound 2
3 London 4
4 Kitchener 0
4 Kitchener 4
5 Windsor 1

QMJHL Playoffs

[edit]
Round 1 Quarter-finals Semi-finals President's Cup Championship
            
1 Rouyn-Noranda 4
16 Drummondville 0
1 Rouyn-Noranda 4
13 Blainville-Boisbriand 1
4 Val-d'Or 2
13 Blainville-Boisbriand 4
1 Rouyn-Noranda 4
6 Moncton 2
5 Gatineau 4
12 Quebec 0
5 Gatineau 2
6 Moncton 4
6 Moncton 4
11 Victoriaville 1
1 Rouyn-Noranda 4
2 Shawinigan 1
2 Shawinigan 4
15 Sherbrooke 1
2 Shawinigan 4
9 Charlottetown 2
8 Rimouski 2
9 Charlottetown 4
2 Shawinigan 4
3 Saint John 1
3 Saint John 4
14 Acadie–Bathurst 1
3 Saint John 4
7 Cape Breton 3
7 Cape Breton 4
10 Chicoutimi 2

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2016 Memorial Cup was the 98th edition of the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) national junior ice hockey championship tournament, contested from May 20 to 29 at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta.[1][2] Hosted by the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Red Deer Rebels, the event featured a four-team round-robin format among the host club and the league champions from the WHL (Brandon Wheat Kings), Ontario Hockey League (OHL; London Knights), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; Rouyn-Noranda Huskies), with the first-place team advancing directly to the final and the second- and third-place teams playing a semi-final to determine the other finalist.[3][4] The tournament showcased high-caliber play from top junior prospects, including future NHL stars such as London's Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk, and Rouyn-Noranda's Samuel Girard.[5] In the round-robin stage, the London Knights dominated with a perfect 3–0 record, outscoring opponents 20–5, while the Red Deer Rebels finished second at 2–1, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies went 1–2, and the Brandon Wheat Kings ended 0–3.[6] The championship final on May 29 pitted the undefeated Knights against the Huskies in a tense 3–2 overtime victory for London, with Tkachuk scoring both of his goals in the game, including the winner at 7:49 of the extra frame to secure the Knights' second Memorial Cup title in franchise history.[7][5] Marner was named the tournament's most valuable player after leading all players with 14 points (2 goals, 12 assists), capping a remarkable playoff run for the Knights that included a 17-game winning streak across the OHL postseason and the Memorial Cup.[5] The event, officially branded as the Mastercard Memorial Cup for sponsorship reasons, drew significant attendance and highlighted the Rebels' successful hosting efforts, including off-ice activities that enhanced community engagement.[1][8]

Background

Host and Venue

The Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) were awarded hosting rights for the 2016 Memorial Cup on October 8, 2014, following a vote by the WHL Board of Governors that favored their bid over one submitted by the Vancouver Giants.[9] This selection brought the prestigious Canadian Hockey League (CHL) championship tournament back to Alberta for the first time since 1974, when Calgary hosted the event at the Stampede Corral.[10] As the host team, the Rebels received an automatic berth in the four-team competition, joining the league champions from the WHL, Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The tournament took place at the ENMAX Centrium, a multi-purpose arena located in Red Deer, Alberta, and the primary home of the Red Deer Rebels since the team's inception in the WHL in 1992.[11] Originally constructed in 1991 with an initial seating capacity of around 6,000, the venue underwent a significant expansion between 2012 and 2013 that added 1,000 seats, 13 luxury suites, and a 40-seat club suite to better accommodate major events like the Memorial Cup.[12] By 2016, the arena's configuration for hockey supported up to 7,111 spectators, making it well-suited for CHL-level competitions with its modern ice surface, lighting, and broadcast facilities.[13] Attendance throughout the seven-game round-robin and playoff format was robust, reflecting strong local interest in the event; every contest drew more than 7,000 fans, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere at the Centrium.[8]

Dates and Format

The 2016 Memorial Cup took place from May 20 to May 29, spanning 10 days at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, and consisted of eight games in total.[14] The tournament followed the standard Canadian Hockey League (CHL) format for the event, featuring the host team and the champions from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) competing in a single round-robin stage where each of the four teams played three games. The top-seeded team after the round-robin advanced directly to the championship final, while the second- and third-seeded teams faced off in a semifinal game; the fourth-seeded team was eliminated without further play. All games were held in the Mountain Daylight Time zone (UTC-6). In the event of ties in the round-robin standings, teams were ranked first by head-to-head result, then by goal differential, and finally by goals for.[2][15] Broadcast coverage was exclusive in Canada, with all games airing in English on Sportsnet networks and in French on TVA Sports, while select matchups were also available on Sportsnet One. Every game was streamed live on Sportsnet NOW.[14][2]

Road to the Cup

WHL Playoffs

The Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs for the 2015–16 season adopted a standard 16-team format, featuring best-of-seven series across four rounds: the first round, division semifinals, conference finals, and the WHL championship final for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.[16] The playoffs commenced on March 24, 2016, and concluded with the champion's qualification for the Memorial Cup.[16] The Brandon Wheat Kings emerged as WHL champions, securing their third Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history—their first since 1996—by defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds 4–1 in the final series, which ended on May 13, 2016.[16][17] Their playoff journey began in the first round with a 4–2 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings, overcoming an 0–2 deficit to advance.[16] In the Eastern Conference semifinals, Brandon dispatched the Moose Jaw Warriors 4–1, followed by a 4–1 conference final win against the Red Deer Rebels, the eventual Memorial Cup host team.[16] The Wheat Kings then claimed the title against Seattle, winning three overtime thrillers in the first three games before closing out the series with an 8–4 victory in Game 5.[16] Throughout their 21 playoff games, the Wheat Kings demonstrated offensive prowess, scoring a total of 89 goals while allowing 62, for a plus-27 differential that underscored their dominance en route to the Memorial Cup berth.[16] Forward Nolan Patrick led the team with 13 goals and tied for the WHL playoff scoring lead with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists), earning him the WHL Finals Most Valuable Player award.[18][19] This championship victory automatically qualified Brandon as the WHL representative at the 2016 Memorial Cup.[17]

OHL Playoffs

The Ontario Hockey League's 2015–16 postseason featured the top 16 teams from its 20-member league, structured as a bracket with four rounds of best-of-seven series to determine the J. Ross Robertson Cup champion.[20] The Western Conference included eight teams, with the London Knights entering as the second seed after a dominant regular season of 51 wins and 105 points.[21] The Knights began their playoff campaign against the seventh-seeded Owen Sound Attack in the first round, overcoming an early stumble to advance in six games with a 4–2 series victory. After securing a 4–1 win in Game 1 on March 25, London dropped a 2–0 decision in Game 2 before rebounding with decisive 5–1 and 8–5 triumphs in Games 3 and 4; the series extended after an overtime loss in Game 5, but the Knights closed it out 5–2 on April 3 to move on, outscoring Owen Sound 25–15 overall.[20] This round highlighted London's resilience, as they adjusted following the two defeats to fuel a strong finish. In the quarterfinals, the Knights faced the third-seeded Kitchener Rangers and delivered a commanding sweep, winning 4–0 with a 19–11 goal differential. The series opened with a 6–3 victory on April 8, followed by 5–3 and 2–1 overtime wins, before sealing the sweep 6–4 on April 14; this marked the start of an impressive unbeaten streak that carried through the postseason.[20] The semifinals pitted London against the top-seeded Erie Otters, whom they dispatched in another 4–0 sweep, outscoring them 23–7 across the series. Key results included a 7–4 opener on April 20, then lopsided 6–1, 5–1, and 5–1 wins through April 27, showcasing the Knights' offensive firepower and defensive solidity.[20] London's dominance peaked in the finals against the Eastern Conference champion Niagara IceDogs, whom they swept 4–0 for the championship, finishing with a 17–7 goal edge. The series began with 4–1 and 6–1 victories on May 5 and 7, followed by a thrilling 6–5 overtime win on May 9, before Tyler Parsons' 18-save shutout clinched a 1–0 decision on May 11—their 16th win in 18 OHL playoff games overall.[20][22] This run included a 13-game winning streak from late in the first round through the finals, setting an OHL record at the time for consecutive playoff victories.[22] Leading the charge were forwards Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak, who combined for exceptional production in anchoring the Knights' attack. Marner, the OHL Playoff MVP, tallied 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 18 games, shattering league records for playoff assists and total points.[23] Dvorak contributed 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists), providing consistent scoring depth alongside his teammates.[23] The Knights' overall 16–2 playoff record propelled them to the Memorial Cup, where they extended their momentum to claim the national title.[24]

QMJHL Playoffs

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) playoffs in 2016 followed an 18-team format, where the top 16 teams from the regular season qualified, divided into divisions, with all rounds consisting of best-of-seven series leading to the President's Cup championship.[25] The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, who finished first overall in the regular season with a 54-9-3-2 record, embarked on a dominant path to the title. In the first round, they swept the 16th-seeded Drummondville Voltigeurs 4-0, outscoring them 33-4 across four games, including shutouts in the first three.[25] In the quarterfinals, the Huskies advanced past the eighth-seeded Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 4-1, allowing only two goals in the series while securing victories like 5-0 and 3-0.[25] The semifinals pitted the Huskies against the fifth-seeded Moncton Wildcats, whom they defeated 4-2 in a more competitive series, rallying from a 1-0 deficit with wins including 5-1 and 5-4 to clinch the series.[25] In the President's Cup final, Rouyn-Noranda faced the third-seeded Shawinigan Cataractes and prevailed 4-1, culminating in a 7-2 rout on May 12, 2016, to claim their first league championship and earn a berth in the Memorial Cup.[25][26] The Huskies' success was anchored by their league-leading defense, which surrendered the fewest goals in the QMJHL playoffs at 31 across 20 games, averaging 1.55 goals against per game.[25] Offensively, forwards like Francis Perron (12 goals, 21 assists) and Timo Meier (11 goals, 12 assists) drove the attack, while defenseman Nikolas Brouillard stood out with 5 goals and 15 assists for 20 points, highlighting the team's balanced contributions.[27][28]

Participating Teams and Rosters

Red Deer Rebels (Host)

The Red Deer Rebels, a Western Hockey League (WHL) team established in 1992, entered the 2016 Memorial Cup as the host representative after securing the hosting rights over the Vancouver Giants in 2014.[29][30] This marked the first time the Rebels hosted the event and the first Memorial Cup in Alberta since 1974.[30] During the 2015–16 regular season, the Rebels finished second in the Central Division with a record of 45–24–1–2, accumulating 93 points and qualifying for the WHL playoffs, though they did not advance to win the league championship.[31] As hosts, the Rebels assembled a roster blending experienced veterans and promising prospects, emphasizing a physical, defensive style under head coach and general manager Brent Sutter. The team featured strong leadership from captain Haydn Fleury, a towering defenseman drafted 20th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2014, who anchored the blue line with his puck-moving ability.[32] Up front, forwards like Jake DeBrusk, acquired mid-season and known for his scoring touch (12 goals in 37 regular-season games with the Rebels), added offensive firepower alongside gritty checkers such as Evan Polei.[33] The Rebels' goaltending was led by Rylan Toth, a 19-year-old netminder from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, providing stability in net. The Memorial Cup roster included:
PositionPlayerAgeHeightWeightShootsBirthplace
Goaltenders
GRylan Toth196'2"194 lbsLSaskatoon, SK
Defensemen
DKayle Doetzel206'2"194 lbsRRosetown, SK
DNelson Nogier196'3"207 lbsRSaskatoon, SK
DJoshua Mahura176'0"194 lbsLSt. Albert, AB
DAustin Strand186'3"216 lbsRCalgary, AB
DHaydn Fleury196'4"207 lbsLCarlyle, SK
DColton Bobyk196'2"198 lbsLRed Deer, AB
Forwards
FBrandon Hagel176'2"185 lbsLSaskatoon, SK
FIvan Nikolishin195'9"176 lbsLMoscow, RU
FJeffrey De Wit176'3"190 lbsRRed Deer, AB
FGrayson Pawlenchuk186'0"194 lbsLArdrossan, AB
FBraden Purtill186'0"185 lbsLWinnipeg, MB
FAdam Helewka206'2"196 lbsLBurnaby, BC
FJake DeBrusk196'1"198 lbsLEdmonton, AB
FLuke Philp205'10"181 lbsRCanmore, AB
FEvan Polei196'2"229 lbsLWetaskiwin, AB
FConner Bleackley196'0"198 lbsRHigh River, AB
FMichael Spacek185'11"187 lbsRMarianske Lazne, CZ
FAdam Musil186'4"203 lbsRDelta, BC
This lineup showcased a mix of size, skill, and international talent, with players like Nikolishin and Spacek bringing European flair to the forward group.[32] The Rebels aimed to leverage their home-ice advantage at the ENMAX Centrium, drawing on the franchise's history of success, including a Memorial Cup title in 2001, to compete against the league champions.[30]

Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

The Brandon Wheat Kings entered the 2016 Memorial Cup as the Western Hockey League champions, having captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time since 1996. During the 2015–16 regular season, the team finished first in the WHL's East Division and second overall in the league with a record of 48 wins, 18 losses, 4 overtime wins, and 2 overtime losses, accumulating 102 points while outscoring opponents 319–197. Led by head coach David Anning, the Wheat Kings demonstrated a balanced attack and strong defensive structure, earning them a spot as one of the top junior teams in Canada. Their success culminated in the WHL playoffs, where they defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 4–1 in the championship series to secure their league title. The Wheat Kings' Memorial Cup roster featured a mix of skilled veterans and promising young talents, many of whom were on the radar of NHL scouts. In goal, the team relied primarily on Jordan Papirny, who posted a 2.45 goals-against average and .919 save percentage over 46 regular-season games, backed up by Logan Thompson. On defense, standout performers included Ivan Provorov, a mobile two-way blueliner already drafted third overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015, and Kale Clague, who contributed offensively with 10 goals and 39 assists. Other key defensemen were Macoy Erkamps, providing physicality and steady play, and Mitch Wheaton, known for his shot-blocking prowess. Up front, the offense was powered by a dynamic core of forwards, highlighted by center Nolan Patrick, who led the team with 41 goals and 102 points in 72 games and was projected as the second-overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Right winger Jayce Hawryluk added grit and scoring touch with 37 goals and 91 points, while left winger John Quenneville tallied 31 goals and 102 points, forming a potent top line. Additional forwards like Reid Duke (62 points), Tim McGauley (speedy playmaker with 53 points), and Tanner Kaspick (physical presence with 40 points) rounded out a deep scoring group. The Memorial Cup roster included:
PositionPlayerAgeHeightWeightShootsBirthplace
Goaltenders
GJordan Papirny196'1"170 lbsLEdmonton, AB
GLogan Thompson186'4"207 lbsRCalgary, AB
Defensemen
DIvan Provorov186'1"225 lbsLYaroslavl, RU
DMacoy Erkamps206'0"201 lbsRDelta, BC
DJames Shearer185'10"194 lbsLBrandon, MB
DKale Clague176'0"176 lbsLRegina, SK
DJordan Thomson195'11"181 lbsRRegina, SK
DMitch Wheaton206'5"216 lbsLSherwood Park, AB
Forwards
FTim McGauley206'0"187 lbsLWilcox, SK
FTyler Coulter196'2"203 lbsLBrandon, MB
FReid Duke196'0"192 lbsRCalgary, AB
FStelio Mattheos166'1"201 lbsRWinnipeg, MB
FLinden McCorrister176'0"185 lbsLPeguis First Nation, MB
FNolan Patrick176'2"198 lbsRWinnipeg, MB
FGarrett Armour186'3"212 lbsLWinnipeg, MB
FJayce Hawryluk195'11"196 lbsRYorkton, SK
FDuncan Campbell196'3"196 lbsLBrandon, MB
FConnor Gutenberg165'9"165 lbsRBrandon, MB
FTanner Kaspick176'1"205 lbsLBrandon, MB
FTy Lewis176'0"181 lbsLBrandon, MB
This young core, including multiple NHL draft prospects like Patrick and Clague (selected 21st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2016), underscored the Wheat Kings' emphasis on developing high-end talent en route to their WHL title.[34]

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, based in the remote mining community of Rouyn-Noranda in northwestern Quebec, qualified for the 2016 Memorial Cup as champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), securing the franchise's first league title. During the 2015–16 regular season, the Huskies led the West Division and the entire league with a dominant 54–9–3–2 record over 68 games, earning 113 points and the Jean Rougeau Trophy as regular season champions while posting the QMJHL's best goal differential at +121 (302 goals for, 181 against).[35] This performance highlighted their balanced style, blending high-powered offense with the league's stingiest defense, and they clinched the President's Cup by defeating the Shawinigan Cataractes in seven games in the finals. The Huskies' success relied on a core of skilled forwards and a robust blue line, with several players earning NHL draft attention. Offensively, left winger Francis Perron emerged as a standout, leading the team and ranking second league-wide with 53 goals and 141 points in 68 regular-season games, earning him the QMJHL's regular-season MVP award.[36] Right winger Timo Meier, acquired in a mid-season trade from the Halifax Mooseheads, added 23 goals and 51 points in 29 games with Rouyn-Noranda, showcasing his power-forward presence and finishing second on the team in playoff scoring with 14 points in 22 games. Other key contributors included center Jean-Christophe Beaudin (40 goals, 101 points) and Latvian import Martins Dzierkals (31 goals), who provided speed and scoring depth. On defense, the group emphasized physicality and puck movement, led by Jeremy Lauzon (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and Philippe Myers (6-foot-6, 214 pounds), who combined for strong shutdown play while contributing offensively. Goaltending was anchored by Chase Marchand, who posted a 28–4–2 regular-season record with a 1.71 goals-against average and .932 save percentage, stepping up as the primary netminder for the playoffs and Memorial Cup.[37] The long journey from Rouyn-Noranda—over 3,000 kilometers by air to Red Deer, Alberta—added logistical strain for the Huskies, a team with deep community roots where 16 of their playoff-dressed players were homegrown prospects.[38]

Memorial Cup Roster

PositionPlayerAgeHeightWeightShootsBirthplace
Goalies
GChase Marchand206'0"181 lbsLUpper Tantallon, NS
Defensemen
DNikolas Brouillard205'11"159 lbsLSaint-Hyacinthe, QC
DPhilippe Myers186'6"214 lbsRMoncton, NB
DJeremy Lauzon186'3"225 lbsLVal-d'Or, QC
DBruno-Carl Denis195'11"181 lbsLSaint-Ubalde, QC
DAllan Caron206'2"201 lbsLSayabec, QC
DJacob Neveu176'2"205 lbsRSherbrooke, QC
DJonathan Legault186'1"201 lbsRLaSalle, QC
DZachary Lauzon176'0"187 lbsLVal-d'Or, QC
Forwards
FTimo Meier196'1"220 lbsLHerisau, Switzerland
FFrancis Perron196'0"179 lbsLLaval, QC
FAlexandre Fortin186'1"187 lbsLBlainville, QC
FJulien Nantel196'0"201 lbsLLaval, QC
FGabriel Fontaine186'2"209 lbsLMontréal, QC
FA.J. Greer196'3"209 lbsLJoliette, QC
FAntoine Waked196'1"194 lbsRSaint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
FMartins Dzierkals186'0"185 lbsLOgre, Latvia
FAnthony Wojcik175'10"181 lbsLSaint-Hubert, QC
FMathieu Boucher185'8"152 lbsLMalartic, QC
FPeter Abbandonato175'11"194 lbsLLaval, QC
FJean-Christophe Beaudin186'1"196 lbsRSaint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
[39]

London Knights (OHL)

The London Knights, champions of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), qualified for the 2016 Memorial Cup after a stellar 2015–16 regular season, where they topped the Midwest Division and finished first overall in the league with a record of 51 wins, 14 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 1 shootout loss, accumulating 105 points.[40] The team demonstrated exceptional offensive depth, scoring 319 goals while allowing 182, en route to securing the division title and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.[41] In the OHL playoffs, the Knights achieved a perfect undefeated run, winning all 16 games to claim the J. Ross Robertson Cup for the fourth time in franchise history, defeating the Niagara IceDogs 4–0 in the final series.[22] This streak highlighted their dominance under head coach Dale Hunter, with key contributions from a roster brimming with future NHL talent. The Knights' 22-man roster for the Memorial Cup was a blend of high-end skill and physicality, featuring two goaltenders, seven defensemen, and 13 forwards. Goaltender Tyler Parsons anchored the net, posting a 2.42 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in the regular season, while backup Brendan Burke provided depth.[42] On defense, Olli Juolevi, a Vancouver Canucks prospect selected fifth overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, led with his puck-moving ability, joined by Evan Bouchard, Victor Mete (Montreal Canadiens, 2016), Chris Martenet, Aiden Jamieson, Jacob Graves, and Brandon Crawley.[43] The forward group was the team's strength, powered by NHL-caliber stars like Mitch Marner, who exploded for 116 points (39 goals, 77 assists) in 57 games and was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015; Matthew Tkachuk, a gritty winger with 107 points (30 goals, 77 assists) in 57 games, taken sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in 2016; and Christian Dvorak, the OHL's leading scorer with 121 points (52 goals, 69 assists) in 59 games, drafted 58th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2014.[44] Other notable forwards included Alex Formenton, Max Jones (Edmonton Oilers, 2016), Robert Thomas (St. Louis Blues, 2017), Cliff Pu (Vancouver Canucks, 2016), Aaron Berisha, J.J. Piccinich, Daniel Bernhardt, Chandler Yakimowicz, Chad Heffernan, and Owen MacDonald.[42] This lineup was loaded with NHL prospects, seven of whom were drafted in the first two rounds between 2014 and 2017, underscoring the Knights' reputation as a development powerhouse that season.[45]
PositionPlayerAgeHeight/WeightShoots
GBrendan Burke206'4"/194 lbsL
GTyler Parsons186'1"/185 lbsL
DEvan Bouchard166'2"/200 lbsR
DOlli Juolevi176'3"/198 lbsL
DAiden Jamieson196'2"/187 lbsL
DVictor Mete175'9"/183 lbsL
DBrandon Crawley186'1"/203 lbsL
DJacob Graves206'2"/194 lbsR
DChris Martenet196'7"/216 lbsL
FMitch Marner186'0"/181 lbsR
FChristian Dvorak196'1"/190 lbsL
FMatthew Tkachuk186'2"/203 lbsL
FAaron Berisha205'10"/183 lbsR
FAlex Formenton176'0"/185 lbsL
FMax Jones176'3"/216 lbsL
FJ.J. Piccinich196'0"/190 lbsR
FCliff Pu176'2"/192 lbsR
FDaniel Bernhardt196'2"/190 lbsL
FRobert Thomas166'0"/207 lbsR
FChandler Yakimowicz196'2"/212 lbsR
FChad Heffernan196'2"/187 lbsL
FOwen MacDonald195'9"/179 lbsR
[46][47]

Tournament

Round-Robin Standings

The round-robin portion of the 2016 Memorial Cup featured the four participating teams—London Knights, Red Deer Rebels, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and Brandon Wheat Kings—each playing three games against the others, with two points awarded for a win (whether in regulation or overtime) and zero for a loss. No overtime losses occurred in this tournament, resulting in clear win-loss records without additional tiebreaker points. The final standings were determined by points, followed by goal differential if necessary.
TeamGPWLPtsGFGAGD
London Knights (OHL)3306205+15
Red Deer Rebels (Host)3214990
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)3122913-4
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)3030516-11
The London Knights finished undefeated with a perfect 3–0 record, securing first place and a bye directly to the championship final. No tiebreakers were required, as the points totals separated all teams distinctly; however, the tournament rules specified head-to-head results as the primary tiebreaker if points were tied, followed by goal differential. The Red Deer Rebels took second place, advancing to the semifinal against the third-place Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, while the Brandon Wheat Kings were eliminated with an 0–3 record.

Round-Robin Schedule and Results

The round-robin portion of the 2016 Memorial Cup took place from May 20 to May 25 at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, featuring the host Red Deer Rebels, WHL champion Brandon Wheat Kings, QMJHL champion Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and OHL champion London Knights. Each team played three games, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. All six contests were decided in regulation time or overtime, with no ties requiring a shootout.[48] The tournament opener on May 20 saw the London Knights defeat the host Red Deer Rebels 6–2, showcasing an offensive outburst that included three goals in the second period alone, building on power-play opportunities to pull away after a competitive first frame. On May 21, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies rallied from a 1–0 deficit to beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 5–3, scoring four unanswered goals in the second period to seize control before fending off a late Brandon surge that included two third-period tallies.[49] The Red Deer Rebels secured their first win on May 22, topping the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 5–2 after overcoming an early 2–0 deficit, with power-play goals proving decisive in a five-unanswered-goal run that shifted momentum midway through the contest.[50] London extended its unbeaten streak on May 23, routing the Brandon Wheat Kings 9–1 in a lopsided affair that tied the Memorial Cup record for most goals by one team in a game, as the Knights dominated from the opening faceoff.[51][52] The Knights completed a perfect round-robin on May 24 with a 5–2 victory over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, highlighted by a shorthanded goal from Max Jones late in the second period that ignited a decisive push, capping London's undefeated preliminary run.[53][54] The round-robin concluded on May 25 with the Red Deer Rebels edging the Brandon Wheat Kings 2–1 in overtime, as Evan Polei's goal at 3:50 of the extra frame eliminated Brandon and secured the hosts' semifinal berth.[55][56]

Semi-Final

The semi-final of the 2016 Memorial Cup was contested on May 27, 2016, at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, pitting the host Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.[57] As determined by the round-robin standings, the matchup featured the second-seeded Rebels against the third-seeded Huskies, with the winner advancing to face the top-seeded London Knights in the final.[48] The Huskies struck first in the opening period with a power-play goal by Francis Perron at 10:51, assisted by Timo Meier, followed just 1:07 later by an even-strength tally from Martins Dzierkals at 11:58 to take a 2-0 lead.[57][58] In the second period, Nikolas Brouillard extended the advantage to 3-0 on another power-play goal at 5:04, assisted by Francis Perron and Timo Meier, before the Rebels responded with a power-play marker from Luke Philp at 13:34, assisted by Haydn Fleury and Michael Spacek, to narrow the gap to 3-1.[57][59][60] No further scoring occurred in the third period, with Rouyn-Noranda goaltender Chase Marchand stopping 35 of 36 shots faced, while Red Deer netminder Rylan Toth made 24 saves on 27 shots.[58]
PeriodScoring SummaryTimeScore
1stROU - F. Perron (PP) (A. T. Meier)10:511-0 ROU
1stROU - M. Dzierkals11:582-0 ROU
2ndROU - N. Brouillard (PP) (A. F. Perron, T. Meier)5:043-0 ROU
2ndRD - L. Philp (PP) (A. H. Fleury, M. Spacek)13:343-1 ROU
The Huskies outshot the Rebels 27-36 overall but held firm defensively to secure the 3-1 victory in front of an announced crowd of 7,562.[57] This win propelled Rouyn-Noranda to their first Memorial Cup final appearance, while it marked the end of the host Rebels' tournament run on home ice.[58]

Final

The championship game of the 2016 Memorial Cup was contested on May 29, 2016, at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, pitting the undefeated London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.[61] The match drew an attendance of 7,384 spectators and featured intense back-and-forth action, culminating in a 3–2 overtime victory for the Knights.[61] The first period ended scoreless, with both teams' goaltenders—London's Tyler Parsons and Rouyn-Noranda's Chase Marchand—turning aside all shots in a tightly contested opening frame.[61] In the second period, Matthew Tkachuk opened the scoring for the Knights at 10:41, firing a shot past Marchand with an assist from Mitch Marner to give London a 1–0 lead.[61] Just 15 seconds later, at 10:56, Francis Perron equalized for the Huskies on a wrist shot assisted by Timo Meier, knotting the game at 1–1.[61] The third period saw the Huskies seize momentum early, as Julien Nantel scored at 9:13 with an assist from Gabriel Fortin, putting Rouyn-Noranda ahead 2–1.[61] The Knights responded late in the frame, with Christian Dvorak tying the score at 15:49 on a backhand tip-in assisted by Aaron Bertushi, forcing overtime after regulation.[61] In the extra period, Tkachuk netted the decisive goal at 7:49, redirecting a shot that appeared to glance off Dvorak before beating Marchand, securing the 3–2 win for London.[61] The victory marked the Knights' second Memorial Cup title, their first since 2005, and completed a perfect 4–0 run through the tournament while extending their overall winning streak to 17 consecutive games dating back to the OHL playoffs.[62][63] Parsons finished with 29 saves on 31 shots, while Marchand made 30 saves on 33 attempts in a valiant effort for the Huskies.[61]

Statistics

Skaters

The skaters at the 2016 Memorial Cup showcased exceptional offensive talent, with the London Knights' top line dominating the scoring charts. Mitch Marner led the tournament in points with 14 (2 goals and 12 assists) in 4 games played, earning him the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the top scorer.[64] His playmaking was unparalleled, highlighted by multi-point performances including a 5-point game (2 goals, 3 assists) against the host Red Deer Rebels in the opener and a 4-assist effort against the Brandon Wheat Kings in round-robin play.[65][66] Christian Dvorak followed closely with 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in 4 games, leading all players in goals and contributing a hat trick in the round-robin win over Brandon.[64] Matthew Tkachuk added 8 points (5 goals, 3 assists) in 4 games, tying for second in goals with Rouyn-Noranda's Timo Meier.[64] Marner also paced the tournament in assists with 12, while Dvorak's goal total stood alone at the top. The offensive output was high, with a total of 52 goals scored across 8 games.[48] Below is the full top-10 list by points:
RankPlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
1Mitch MarnerLondon Knights4212144
2Christian DvorakLondon Knights475120
3Matthew TkachukLondon Knights45384
4Timo MeierRouyn-Noranda Huskies55386
5Francis PerronRouyn-Noranda Huskies52680
6Olli JuoleviLondon Knights40774
7Haydn FleuryRed Deer Rebels41454
8Adam HelewkaRed Deer Rebels43140
9Aaron BerishaLondon Knights42240
10Max JonesLondon Knights42248
[64]

Goaltenders

The goaltending at the 2016 Memorial Cup was highlighted by strong performances from the London Knights' Tyler Parsons, who led all netminders with a 1.78 goals-against average (GAA) and .942 save percentage (SV%) over four games played (GP).[67] Parsons played a pivotal role in the Knights' undefeated run through the tournament.[48] The Huskies' Chase Marchand ranked among the leaders with a 3.13 GAA and .908 SV% in five GP, providing steady support en route to the final.[68] Goaltenders across the four teams faced 52 goals in eight games, averaging 6.5 goals per game, reflecting the high-scoring nature of the round-robin and playoff contests.[48] Backup netminders saw limited action but contributed to team efforts, with varying efficiency in their appearances.
PlayerTeamGPMINGAGAASV%SO
Tyler ParsonsLondon Knights423571.79.9420
Chase MarchandRouyn-Noranda Huskies5307163.13.9080
Rylan TothRed Deer Rebels4241122.99.9010
Jordan PapirnyBrandon Wheat Kings3163145.16.8390
Chase WutzkeRed Deer Rebels16011.00.8850
Mac EngelBrandon Wheat Kings15755.26.8000
The table ranks goaltenders by GAA, incorporating minutes played (MIN), goals against (GA), and shutouts (SO), based on tournament participation.[68]

Awards

Stafford Smythe Trophy

The Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player of the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup tournament.[69] The award is named in honor of C. Stafford Smythe, who served as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1957 to 1971 and played a key role in bringing the Memorial Cup to Toronto in 1960.[70][71] In the 2016 Memorial Cup, the trophy was presented to Mitch Marner of the London Knights, who was selected for his dominant overall impact on the tournament.[72] Marner led all players in scoring with 14 points and delivered crucial contributions, including an assist on Matthew Tkachuk's goal that opened the scoring in the championship final.[73] The presentation took place immediately following the London Knights' 3–2 overtime victory over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the final on May 29, 2016, at the ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta.[74][72]

Ed Chynoweth Trophy

The Ed Chynoweth Trophy is awarded annually to the leading scorer at the Memorial Cup tournament, recognizing the player who accumulates the most points during the event.[75] The award is named after Ed Chynoweth, a longtime president of the Western Hockey League from 1972 to 1996 and a co-founder of the Canadian Hockey League, who played a pivotal role in developing major junior hockey in Canada.[75] First presented in 1996, the trophy honors Chynoweth's contributions to the sport, including his leadership in expanding junior hockey opportunities.[76] In the 2016 Memorial Cup, the Ed Chynoweth Trophy was won by Mitch Marner of the host London Knights.[77] Marner tallied 14 points, consisting of 2 goals and 12 assists over 4 games, as the Knights went undefeated to claim the championship.[64] His dominant offensive output included a 5-point performance (2 goals, 3 assists) in the opening round-robin game against the Red Deer Rebels and 4 assists each in victories over the Brandon Wheat Kings and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.[78] Marner's 14 points tied for the second-highest total in Memorial Cup history at the time, behind the single-tournament record of 16 points shared by Jeff Larmer (1981) and Guy Rouleau (1986).[78] This performance underscored his status as one of the tournament's premier playmakers, contributing significantly to London's 17-game playoff winning streak across the OHL postseason and Memorial Cup.[77]

George Parsons Trophy

The George Parsons Trophy is awarded annually at the Memorial Cup to the player selected by members of the media for demonstrating the highest level of sportsmanship throughout the tournament.[69] The award, first presented in 1974, honors George Parsons, a forward who played in the Ontario Hockey Association and National Hockey League for teams including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins before his career was cut short in 1939 by a severe eye injury sustained during a game at Maple Leaf Gardens.[70] Parsons, who passed away in 1998, exemplified fair play and resilience, qualities the trophy seeks to recognize in junior hockey's top prospects.[79] In the 2016 Memorial Cup, held in Red Deer, Alberta, the George Parsons Trophy was presented to Francis Perron of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.[69] Perron, a 19-year-old left winger and team captain, recorded 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points over 5 games while accumulating zero penalty minutes, showcasing clean, effective play amid intense competition.[64] His contributions included a goal in the championship final against the London Knights, helping the Huskies advance to the title game as QMJHL champions despite finishing with a 1-2 record in round-robin play, before winning the semi-final to advance.[62] Perron's leadership and penalty-free performance anchored the Huskies' run to the final, where they fell in overtime, highlighting his role in fostering team morale and upholding the tournament's standards of conduct.[80] As a top scorer in the QMJHL that season with 108 points, his sportsmanlike approach earned widespread respect from peers and media, underscoring the award's emphasis on combining skill with integrity.[81]

All-Star Team

The All-Star Team for the 2016 Memorial Cup consisted of six players selected to recognize outstanding positional performances during the tournament held in Red Deer, Alberta. The team included one goaltender, two defensemen, and three forwards, chosen by Canadian Hockey League (CHL) scouts to highlight excellence across the participating teams. This selection emphasized contributions to team success, leadership on the ice, and overall impact in the round-robin and playoff games, aiming for balanced representation from the London Knights, Red Deer Rebels, and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.[82] The 2016 All-Star Team was as follows:
PositionPlayerTeam
GoaltenderTyler ParsonsLondon Knights
DefensemanOlli JuoleviLondon Knights
DefensemanHaydn FleuryRed Deer Rebels
ForwardChristian DvorakLondon Knights
ForwardMitch MarnerLondon Knights
ForwardTimo MeierRouyn-Noranda Huskies
Tyler Parsons anchored the goaltending position with key saves that supported the Knights' undefeated run, including 29 saves in the championship final.[83] Olli Juolevi and Haydn Fleury were honored on defense for their strong puck-moving abilities and shutdown play against top opponents, with Juolevi contributing to London's offensive transitions and Fleury providing stability for the Rebels in tight contests.[84] Among the forwards, Christian Dvorak, Mitch Marner, and Timo Meier stood out for their scoring prowess and playmaking, driving their teams' attacks while demonstrating versatility in high-pressure situations.[82] This group exemplified the tournament's competitive depth, with four members from the champion Knights, one from the host Rebels, and one from the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, underscoring the event's focus on collective achievement.[83]

References

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