Memorial Cup Preview
It all comes down to four teams.
The Western Hockey League champs Spokane Chiefs, the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the runners-up in the Ontario Hockey League, the Belleville Bulls, and the hosts/OHL Champs, the Kitchener Rangers.
Below, you’ll find a bit about each teams toughness. It should prove to be a great tournament, one worth watching. Every team has some willing pugilists and no doubt guys will want their moment to shine on national television. I know I’m looking forward to it!!
WHL:
Spokane Chiefs – Similar to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, the Chiefs were in the middle of the pack when it came to fights. They hit about one-per-game, but didn’t have one person to do their damage. Instead, they had a few that could chuck the knucks if need be.
Curtis Kelner is their big guy up front. Standing 6’2 215, he’s a veteran who had 89 PIM in 53 games and was tied for the team lead with 10 fighting majors. Mike Reddington is a youngster who’s stepped up his game this season. He tied Kelner with 10 majors and had 102 PIM in 71 games. He hasn’t had many PIM in the playoffs, but you never know. Ryan Letts is their third guy on the major charts and is the type that would rather take a fighting major than sit in the box for two minutes trying to do something. Over half of his PIM were for fighting. Standing 6’2 207, he’s never shown the PIM, but he’s certainly showed a willingness to go with nine majors this season. Fourth is Judd Blackwater, a scrappy overage forward who has shown a willingness to do it all. He’s not a huge guy at 6’ 196, but look for him to make his presence known if need be.
QMJHL:
The strange thing about the Q was there were three levels of teams in terms of fighting: often, occasionally, and not a chance. Gatineau was at the top end of the occasionally level, just about classified as “often.” Want an even stranger fact? Only one guy on the team had more than 10 fights. The rest had fewer than 6.
Who is this feared fighter? Travis Stacey. The 6’2 220lb youngster was third in the CHL in fighting majors with 30. Add in his minors and he had 210 PIMS this season in 66 games.
He had some help, though. Youngsters Steven Delisle (6’5 209) and Hubert Labrie (5’10 158) had a handful of majors each, as did veteran Jonathan Carrier (6’4 206).
OHL:
Belleville is one of those teams that doesn’t need to drop the gloves, but can easily do so if needed.
They’re lead by tough guy Matt Beleskey (6’ 200), who has proven many times he can go with the best in the league. When you’re one of the best on a team that had less than 30 majors all season, though, you’re not going often. He’s helped out by lanky veteran Andrew Self (6’3 200). Self went more often earlier in this career but has the chin and willingness to go when necessary.
The host Kitchener Rangers are another team that can drop the gloves often if they want, but they choose not to – usually. Again, they’re about mid-pack in the league for majors.
Leading the team in majors this year was feisty rookie Mike Mascioli. The 5’11 195lb forward was a willing combatant with anyone who would take him on. Playing at home in his first Memorial Cup, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him drop the mitts once or twice to get some momentum going. Mike Duco was second on the team with 9 majors and the best way to describe him is a pit-bull with a mean streak. Listed at 5’9 196, he goes out and hits everything he can, stirring things up. Given his value to the team, he won’t drop the gloves unless needed. When he goes, though, he can do damage. Then you have the big guy, Brandon Mashinter. He’s not the most willing guy, but at 6’4 225, he can more than handle himself against the best in the league in any situation. It’s just a matter of getting the desire out of him.
It’s no secret that in this prestigious tournament, emotions run high, but the penalty minutes do not. However, we’ve seen time and time again that strange things happen and the gloves can go flying. Just take a look at the Brandon Prust fight when London hosted the Memorial Cup or the Janssen/King fight (they’re team-mates now, strangely enough). It should make for a great tournament to watch, regardless.