Memorial Cup field set

Alex Kirshner | Amateur Hockey (Juniors/NCAA)

May 12, 11:01 PM | Hype this story!

With the 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup beginning in five days to crown the CHL champion, the field of four teams has finally fallen into place.

The host team gets one bid, while the other three go to the champions of the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL.

So, here’s a look at this year’s field of four:

OHL Champion Windsor Spitfires
The Spitfires are led by speedy forward Taylor Hall and offensive defenseman Ryan Ellis. Hall scored in overtime to clinch the series against the Brampton Battalion that secured the Robertson Cup for Windsor. The Spits were widely regarded as the OHL’s best team all season long.

WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets
The Rockets locked down their berth in the Memorial Cup when Tyson Barrie scored at 8:13 of overtime to beat the Calgary Hitmen in six games. The Rockets flew somewhat under the radar behind the Vancouver Giants for most of the season, but giant blueliner Tyler Myers and his squad would not be denied in a thrilling Ed Chnyoweth Cup series.

QMJHL Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs
Yannick Riendeau tallied twice as the Volts beat the Shawninigan Cataractes in Game 7 of the QMJHL playoff final on Tuesday night. Penguins’ prospect Alex Grant, acquired from Shawinigan from St. John near the trade deadline, scored in a losing effort for the Cataractes. Riendeau has 29 goals in the playoffs.

QMJHL Rimouski Oceanic (Host)
The Oceanic gained their bid automatically by being the tournament’s host team. Games will be played at the Colisée de Rimouski in Quebec.

The tournament starts Friday with a match between Rimouski and Kelowna. A full schedule can be found here.

Comments

  1. Toe Blake

    May 13, 09:16 AM

    All or most of these games are on NHL Network if you have it, some great hockey.

    Players to watch:

    Windsor Spitfires:

    Taylor Hall – 2010 projected #1 overall
    Ryan Ellis – Projected top 15 pick in 2009
    Jesse Blacker – Projected 2009 2nd round pick

    Kelowna Rockets:

    Mikael Backlund – Calgary Flames first round pick 2007.
    Jamie Benn – 2007 Second round pick of the Dallas Stars.
    Tyler Myers – Mammoth Defenseman 2008 First round pick from Buffalo.

    Drummondville Voltigeurs:

    Yannick Riendeau – 29 goals in the playoffs so far, unheard of.
    Chris DiDomenico – 2nd round pick of the leafs in 2007.
    Dmitri Kulikov – Potential first round pick in 2009

    Rimouski Oceanic (Crosby’ old team):

    Keven Vielliuex – 2007 Second round pick of Pittsburgh, on fire since injury return
    Logan MacMillan – 2007 first round pick of Anaheim
    Jordan Caron – Potential 2009 first round pick

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