” width=”333″ height=”316″>Memorial Cup 2025 Preview: Teams, Stars, and Predictions
- Ian Harper
- 23 May 2025
With future NHL superstars like Gavin McKenna headlining, the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski promises unforgettable drama and historic performances. It got underway on May 22nd in Rimouski, Quebec and this year is sure to be one for the ages.
Let’s break down each team, their chances to win, and the top prospects to watch out for.
QMJHL: Are Moncton Wildcats the Dark Horse in the 2025 Memorial Cup?
The QMJHL boasts two teams this year, with Rimouski Oceanic hosting the tournament after finishing 2nd in the league, and the Moncton Wildcats, who won their first QMJHL championship in 15 years to bring them back to the Memorial Cup.
The Oceanic may be the hosts, but they are no slouches. They finished the season with 96 points, 10 ahead of the third place Voltigeurs, and boast the top scorer in the QMJHL Jonathan Fauchon, and the goalie with the best Goals Against Average, William Lacelle. They also have depth in goal as their other goalie, Mathis Langevin, lead the playoffs in GAA with a very stingy
1.57 GAA in 18 games. Their top scorer it the regular season, Fauchon, was third in playoff scoring, but Jacob Mathieu of the Oceanic lead the league with 31 playoff points.
The Moncton Wildcats took the QMJHL by storm this year and posted a 108 point season, which is 12 above second place Rimouski. Their leading scorer Caleb Desnoyers exploded this year for 84 points, good for fifth in league scoring, and is expected to be drafted in the Top 10 of the NHL Entry Draft in June. He followed that up with 30 points in the playoffs, one behind Mathieu of the Oceanic, but the Wildcats scored in bunches this playoffs; they also had Gabe Smith (drafted in 2022 by Utah HC) with 22 points, and Juraj Pekarcik (2023, St Louis Blues) with 21 points, giving them three players in the top 5 scorers this playoffs. Julius Sumpf was also second in goals, giving the Wildcats scoring options all over the ice.
OHL: Why the London Knights Are the Team to Beat in the 2025 Memorial Cup
The London Knights are likely the greatest franchise in the last 20 years in the OHL. All six of their OHL Championships have come in those 20 years, and they won another in 2025 and look to chase down their third Memorial Cup, after losing in the Memorial Cup final last year.
The Knights finished first in the OHL and never looked back, finishing with 112 points, 12 ahead of second place Kitchner. Goaltender Austin Elliott (who started his career in the WHL, but was placed on waivers) lead the league in Save Percentage and Goals Against Average, and boasts a jaw-dropping 48-2 record between the regular season and playoffs. If you think it all hinges on their goaltending, they also have 13 NHL drafted players, lead by Easton Cowan (2023, Toronto Maple Leafs) who lead the playoffs in points with 39, and Sam Dickinson (2024, San Jose Sharks) who was third in the playoffs in assists with 22.
WHL: Prospects Set to Shine at the 2025 Memorial Cup
If you somehow haven’t heard the name Gavin McKenna, you certainly will very soon. McKenna has been a phenom for a few years now, and absolutely dominated much of the WHL this season, including a record breaking 54 game point streak where he amassed 138 points. The best part? He’s not even 18 yet. That’s right, he can’t even be drafted into the NHL until 2026.
It’s not all just he McKenna show however – the Tigers roster also features captain Oasiz Wiesblatt, defenceman Tanner Molendyk (2023, Nashville Predators) and goaltender Harrison Meneghin (2024, Tampa Bay Lightning), the WHL playoff MVP. Medicine Hat posted a 47-17-4 record during the regular season and lost only twice in the playoffs. They will be a force with McKenna at the helm.
Top 5 Players to Watch
- Gavin McKenna, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers
The 17-year-old phenom ripped off a CHL-record 54-game point streak and topped the WHL champs with 129 pts in 56 GP, then added 38 pts in 16 playoff games. Already being talked about in the same breath as McDavid and Bedard, McKenna is the tournament’s marquee attraction and a lock to make highlight-reel headlines every night. - Easton Cowan, RW, London Knights (TOR)
London’s emotional engine set a franchise playoff record with 39 pts in 17 games, giving him 96 career postseason points for the Knights. Cowan’s fearless, agitator-plus-skill style fuels London’s attack and makes him the centerpiece of their redemption bid after last year’s heart-breaker. - Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (SJ)
The Sharks’ 2024 first-rounder is the best two-way blueliner in the field, piling up 31 pts in 17 OHL playoff games while eating tough minutes. His ability to tilt the ice from the back end and escape pressure will be critical against the Tigers’ high-octane forwards. - Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats
Projected top-10 pick in June, the 18-year-old captured QMJHL playoff MVP honors with 30 pts in 19 GP and dominated the dot at 58.6 percent. Desnoyers is the heartbeat of Moncton’s balanced attack and could boost his draft stock with a statement performance on junior hockey’s biggest stage. - Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (CBJ)
Back from back surgery that sidelined him for most of the season, the 6-foot-3 power forward produced 4 pts in 4 WHL final games on sheer will. If Lindstrom’s heavy, north-south game ramps up alongside McKenna’s finesse, Medicine Hat becomes even scarier.
Top Prospects
While the games themselves are exciting, and pivotal in the junior hockey landscape, sometimes it’s the prospects themselves that are the main attraction. Here’s a look at some of the top prospects at this tournament.
| Player | CHL Team | NHL Team | Draft | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin McKenna | Medicine Hat Tigers | n/a | Eligible 2026 | Won WHL MVP in 24/25 – still only 17 years old. |
| Caleb Desnoyers | Moncton Wildcats | n/a | Eligible 2025 | Projected Top 10 player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. |
| Cayden Lindstrom | Medicine Hat Tigers | Columbus Blue Jackets | Round 1 #4 overall 2024 NHL Entry Draft | Missed the entire 24/25 season, but returned and played 4 playoffs games, notching 4 points. |
| Sam Dickinson | London Knights | San Jose Sharks | Round 1 #11 overall 2024 NHL Entry Draft | Top defensive prospect in San Jose Sharks prospect pool. |
| Oliver Bonk | London Knights | Philadelphia Flyers | Round 1 #22 overall 2023 NHL Entry Draft | 2-time OHL champion. |
| Tanner Molendyk | Medicine Hat Tigers | Nashville Predators | Round 1 #24 overall 2023 NHL Entry Draft | Put up 20 points in 18 playoff games for the Tigers this year. |
| Easton Cowan | London Knights | Toronto Maple Leafs | Round 1 #28 overall 2023 NHL Entry Draft | Holds all time record for playoff points in London Knights history. |
| Sam O’Reilly | London Knights | Edmonton Oile1·s | Round 1 #32 overall 2024 NHL Entry Draft | London’s shutdown centre, expected to line up against every team’s best player. |
| Ryder Ritchie | Medicine Hat Tigers | Minnesota Wild | Round 2 #45 overall 2024 NHL Entry Draft | Acquired by Medicine Hat before the season; scored over a point per game for the first time in his WHL career. |
| Mathieu Cataford | Rimouski Oceanic | Vegas Golden Knights | Round 3 #77 overall 2023 NHL Entry Draft | Plays in all situations for Rimouski – even strength, power play, and penalty kill. |
