I had the opportunity to attend this Friday’s Memorial Cup finals rematch. The final score of this game was 5-1 Saginaw. The lone London goal was scored on the power play by San Jose prospect Sam Dickinson (Round 1, 11th overall in 2024), his 5th of the year. Fellow 2024 first-rounder Zayne Parekh (9th overall by Calgary) had two goals for Saginaw. Also, 2025 draft prospect Michael Misa had two assists. While Dickinson and Parekh definitely looked the part of the high-end prospects they are, Misa is great to watch. When you combine his constant motion with his effortless skating, the results are consistent grade-A scoring chances for himself and his team mates.
A very intriguing prospect is Saginaw’s Kristian Epperson, who went undrafted in his first year of eligibity. The knock on him is the lack of an NHL shot, yet it still surprises me that he wasn’t a late-round pick this past summer due to a high motor and elite playmaking skills. Given that he is on pace to score over forty goals this season, it appears he is developing an ability to shoot the puck effectively. He scored in this game, but it was on a nice five-hole deke.
Also competing for London on Friday were a pair of Philadelphia prospects acquired in the 2023 draft, third-rounder Denver Barkey and first-rounder Oliver Bonk. London captain Barkey was held off the score sheet and has only two assists this season, although he has only appeared in four games. Bonk assisted on Dickinson’s goal, and his mobility off the puck was impressive as always.