Forward Francis Perron (Senators) led the league and set a Rouyn-Noranda record with 33 points in the playoffs, and won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the MVP of the postseason. He also won the regular-season MVP award. He's the first QMJHL player to win both since Halifax's Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning) in 2013.
Rouyn-Noranda's 113 points led the QMJHL during the regular season. The Huskies had six 20-goal scorers including first-year player Martins Dzierkals (Maple Leafs), who scored 24. He had seven goals and 17 points in 20 playoff games.
NHL prospects: Defensemen Jeremy Lauzon (Boston Bruins, 2015, No. 52), Philippe Myers (Flyers, Sept. 2015, free agent); forwards Meier (Sharks, 2015, No. 9), Perron (Senators, 2014, No. 190), AJ Greer (Colorado Avalanche, 2015, No. 39), Dzierkals (Maple Leafs, 2015, No. 68), Julien Nantel (Avalanche, 2014, No. 204), Jean-Christophe Beaudin (Avalanche, 2015, No. 71).
Top 2016 draft-eligible prospects (CSS final ranking):Defenseman Jacob Neveu (No. 107).
RED DEER REBELSCoach: Brent Sutter
Memorial Cup championships:2001
Summary:The host team has the talent to do some damage. Left wing Adam Helewka (Sharks) was fourth in the WHL playoffs with nine goals and first with six power-play goals in 17 games. Helewka, acquired by Red Deer from Spokane for two players and two draft picks on Jan. 1, had 26 goals and 45 points in 34 regular-season games for the Rebels.
Two offseason acquisitions also helped Red Deer this season. Left wing Ivan Nikolishin came over in a trade with Everett, and led the Rebels with 82 points and scored 31 goals. Czech Republic-born right wing Michael Spacek (Winnipeg Jets) was taken with the 47th pick of the 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft and had 18 goals and 54 points. Center Conner Bleackley (Coyotes) had wrist surgery in March and is practicing but is
doubtful to return
.
The last time Red Deer celebrated a Memorial Cup was 2001 when it was led by future NHL players Colby Armstrong, Martin Erat, Boyd Gordon and Jim Vandermeer.
NHL prospects: Defensemen Haydn Fleury (Carolina Hurricanes, 2014, No. 7), Nelson Nogier (Jets, 2014, No. 101); forwards Jake DeBrusk (Boston Bruins, 2015, No. 14), Adam Musil (St. Louis Blues, 2015, No. 94), Helewka (Sharks, 2015, No. 106), Bleackley (Coyotes; trade with Avalanche, Feb. 2016), Spacek (Jets, 2015, No. 108).
Top 2016 draft-eligible prospects (CSS final ranking):Goaltender Rylan Toth (No. 16, North American goalies); defenseman Colton Bobyk (No. 204, North American skaters); forwards Jeffrey De Wit (No. 80), Brandon Hagel (No. 104).
2016 Memorial Cup schedule (All times EST)
May 20: London vs. Red Deer, 8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2
May 21: Brandon vs Rouyn-Noranda, 7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN360, SN1, TVA Sports 2
May 22: Red Deer vs. Rouyn-Noranda, 7 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, TVA Sports 2*
May 23: Brandon vs. London, 8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2
May 24: Rouyn-Noranda vs. London, 10 p.m. ET; SN, SN360, TVA Sports 2\\
May 25: Red Deer vs. Brandon, 8 p.m. ET; SN360, TVA Sports 2\\*
May 26: Tiebreaker, if necessary, 8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2
May 27: Semifinal, 8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2
May 29: Final, 4:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2
\- NHLN will show on tape delay at 8 p.m. ET\\- NHLN will show on tape delay May 25 at 11 a.m.ET\\\- NHLN will show on tape delay at 9 p.m. ET