This year’s Memorial Cup concluded on Sunday with a 4-1 victory by London over Medicine Hat, the Knights third title. Perhaps the most compelling story of the finale was the play of London goaltender Austin Elliott. Released by Saskatoon in the WHL earlier this season and ultimately landing in London, Elliott held the Tigers off the score sheet until his Knights built a 4-0 lead. This included the barrage he faced in the first half of the first period, when he turned away all ten shots he faced from a Tigers team determined to score early and often. Elliott, who will compete for UMass-Lowell this fall, led the tournament with a .943 save percentage and 1.59 GAA.
Elliott’s early-game performance allowed the Knights to open the scoring late in the first on a goal by forward Jacob Julien (WPG 2023 5th round, 146th overall), the primary assist going to 2025 draft-eligible D-man Henry Brzustewicz (19-ranked NA skater). That lead eventually swelled to 4-0 on a goal from forward Easton Cowan (TOR 2023 1st round, 28th overall), and two more from captain Denver Barkey (PHI 2023 3rd round, 95th overall). Barkey, along with teammate and fellow Flyers’ prospect Oliver Bonk (PHI 2023 round 1, 22nd overall), will begin their professional careers this fall.
Despite digging themselves a hole, Medicine Hat would not go away quietly. 2026 draft-eligible phenom Gavin McKenna scored early in the third period, and thought he had scored again with about five minutes left. However, this goal ultimately was disallowed, and any chance for a late-game comeback didn’t materialize. McKenna finished the tournament tied for 2nd in goals (3) with Barkey, Cowan, and Moncton D-man Dyllan Gill (TBL 2022 7th round, 223rd overall). They all finished one behind goals leader Ryder Ritchie of Medicine Hat (MIN 2024 2nd round, 45th overall). In terms of assists, Max Kaminsky Trophy winner (OHL D-man of the year) Sam Dickinson of London (SJS 2024 1st round, 11th overall) had 6 to lead the tournament.
Best of luck to all of the prospects who participated in this great event, draftees (33 of them) and free agents alike.