2014 Memorial Cup Location

[SimonKnightsman]

Fair enough. The chances are that both your team and mine have some unproven shady dealings in the past. Neither is lily white but neither team has been caught since the recruiting police came on the scene.

Of course, this is all conjecture.

No they have not been caught in Rangers land or London cuz neither are doing anything wrong. They know the deal when the OHL hired a guy to crack down and gave everyone fare warning. If you get caught now it's your own fault.

 

[Otto]

It was brought up at the time, Branch entering the spitfires dressing room in the second intermission indicating any player who injures Corey Perry would be suspended for an entire season.

Hunter behaved this season for the most part but his antics every year prior to his caps gig have been outright embarassing for the sport. Where are his 5 game suspensions?

Why do players get 5 game suspensions for shooting the puck into the crowd yet Schremp gets nothing for attacking the crowd?

Thats the best you can come up with? A single 10 game suspension in the last 10 years... compared to how many for the other teams?

Be naive all you want about the obvious fact that Hunter has Branch in his pocket but if you want to look at it with an open mind count the number of times the Knights get the benefit of the doubt with the league and officials vs the amount of times their opponents do. They always get the longer end of the stick, watch how blatant it is with the memorial cup coming.

It is ridiculous to suggest that there was any kind of interference from Branch in that respect. The owners in the league would never put up with that kind of behaviour. You have bad information.

You said that Stan Butlers antics were a routine day at the office for Dale Hunter, now you have back peddled on that by a year. I could ask you what Dale Hunter has done in the last 5 years to be suspended but you would just make something up

The crowd was just as involved as Schremp was, both were to blame.

Your comment was that Branch NEVER suspends a London player for double digits. I don't need to go back into history to find them all, I just needed one .. from 3 months ago to once again show how jaded your view is.

It's one thing to have an open mind, it's another to live in a fantasy world

 

[PhlyerPhanatic31]

Don't give me this crap that 'every team dives' Show me any team that dives as much as the Knights did back then.

You cheer for them.

 

[youngblood10]

It is ridiculous to suggest that there was any kind of interference from Branch in that respect. The owners in the league would never put up with that kind of behaviour. You have bad information.

My family billeted a boy who was on the team that Branch threatened. It is 100% true he did that. You London fans live in a bubble.

 

[Whalers Fan]

The way it's going, that's probably what will happen. And it'll be dead wrong. The World Juniors can no longer be hosted by a community that supports junior hockey because it's become a high profile event. The Memorial Cup isn't far behind.

Toronto should NEVER host a Memorial Cup and most of Detroit doesn't know junior hockey exists. Keep it in communities that support junior hockey.

While I agree with you in spirit, using the three NHL arenas seems more fair than just awarding the event to the 4-5 teams fortunate enough to be in markets that can support a 6,000+ seat arena, which appears to be the new trend for this event. The chances of a smaller community hosting a Cup in this new world is almost nil.

 

[krazy kanuck]

I'm not going to accuse the Knights of foul play because I have no evidence of same. While I only have circumstantial evidence that there is any reverse bias against the Colts, it does seem pretty compelling:

- Colts have bid for the Memorial Cup 5 times since our Captain's transgression, 0 Memorial Cups have been awarded.
- Colts had 6 opportunities to win trophies this year (games 5, 6, 7 of the Eastern Conference for the Bobby Orr trophy and games 5, 6, 7 of the final). Branch was not in the building for any of games to present the trophy to the Colts, with the exception of game 7 of the final (which also had the opportunity for the Knights to win).
- Colts had a total of 21 suspension games this playoff, more than all other teams combined. That could be because they were dirtier, but we saw many hits against Colts that were just as bad go unpunished (Subban, Subban and Anderson come to mind).
- While Horvat was worthy, the MVP is a trophy for the entire playoffs. How about the guy who was POTW for half the weeks in the playoffs, including the last two in the final, and had 25% more points than anyone in the playoffs? It's not like MS19 didn't show up in the final either, having two 5 point games and scoring just as many big goals as Horvat. The only reason that spread wasn't bigger was because of the aforementioned hit... I realize writers vote but...

PS: Sitting next to some nice folks from London at the Mem Cup. Bought them a pint, all is well, no sour grapes with the fanbase there. I may even cheer for the Knights in the odd game or two in Saskatoon. Having said that, my belief in the integrity of some of these processes is waning.

 

[aresknights]

My ? To leeaf83 would be why did branch have to warn the Spits about injuring a player. It must have come up for a reason. We're they making threatening comments about injuring him? We're they trying to injure him? Or was it a pre- emptive strike aimed at keeping the spits from competing?
If it happened at all. Just curious on your take. You seem to have the inside scoop.

 

[krazy kanuck]

While I agree with you in spirit, using the three NHL arenas seems more fair than just awarding the event to the 4-5 teams fortunate enough to be in markets that can support a 6,000+ seat arena, which appears to be the new trend for this event. The chances of a smaller community hosting a Cup in this new world is almost nil.

I think this is where I stand too. I'm also with Charlie in spirit, but when you're giving an extra entry to the host team, it can't just rotate between 4-5 teams. It also doesn't help that the last 5 OHL Memorial Cups have all been located on the 100 miles of the 401 from London to Mississauga. That's too geographically condensed for a league that spans half the province and two states. This has to be fixed, or they have to make a change otherwise they'll alienate 3/4 of the league. Basically if the 67s, Gens or Fronts aren't projected to be top 4 in the league (and how often does that line up with a year the OHL is getting the Cup, especially with the Fronts) then it's going to end up in that triangle between Mississauga, Guelph and London, despite the fact that there are only 4 teams there.

 

[nosl]

I'm just happy to have a team again. I've waited 11 years for this.

Regarding Memorial Cup host locations, it is interesting to note that Memorial Cup tournament has not been awarded to an OHL team in a community under 100 000 people since 1996 in Peterborough.

In the LHJMQ, Shawinigan & Rimouski both hosted the tournament within the last five years (both communities under 50 000 people). Brandon in the WHL is another community under 50 000 that hosted the tournament within the last 5 years.

I would be interested in knowing what the criteria to host the Memorial Cup in the OHL is. From what I understand in the other two leagues, a host site is chosen before the beginning of the season.

Since the current format has been adopted where a host team is awarded the tournament, it's the first time a team has been awarded the tournament twice in a span of less than 10 years.

 

[Otto]

Everyone knows what they been told. Problem is some people have a tough task between...believing what they've been told to be 100% true...or having the ability to differentiate truth from fact or real from fabricated. It's all good. I've been told many things myself. Some true and some completely out in left field. Fingers will always be pointed...no harm in that.

Remember when Corey Perry was cut from the junior squad. It was said that the reason was because he was shooting high on Marc-Andre Fluery in practice, this was believed by many to be 100% true for about 5 years, until the person who started the rumour (on the NOOF) confessed to making the whole thing up

 

[krazy kanuck]

Since the current format has been adopted where a host team is awarded the tournament, it's the first time a team has been awarded the tournament twice in a span of less than 10 years.

2nd - Kitchener had 1975 and 1984. Still, I think your comments regarding smaller markets are very valid.

 

[nosl]

2nd - Kitchener had 1975 and 1984. Still, I think your comments regarding smaller markets are very valid.

I may be wrong here, but I was under the impression that the team who won the OHL championship was awarded the tournament. Hence the reason why the Cents/Generals had that super series to determine who host the Memorial Cup. Can anyone clarify the super series?

Kitchener may have hosted in the 1975, but it appears they didn't have an entry that participated in the tournament. Because of the odd situation with Hamilton not participating in the 1990 tournament, Kitchener played in that one as well as the host team, though in Hamilton. What do you think that should count as?

 

[krazy kanuck]

Kitchener may have hosted in the 1975, but it appears they didn't have an entry that participated in the tournament. Because of the odd situation with Hamilton not participating in the 1990 tournament, Kitchener played in that one as well as the host team, though in Hamilton. What do you think that should count as?

Great points...I don't know...head hurting after a long road trip to Saskatoon and back last night!

 

[Jackman]

Looks like the Knights are considering having Sportsnet cameras follow the team next year much like Saskatoon did this season -

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/05/18/l...-about-television-series-on-2014-memorial-cup

It also appears that the OHL and the Knights will be editing the content though, so don't expect any startling revelations

"Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch says there may be a difference between how On The Edge was presented and the eventual final product should the Knights and league participate.

“I’m sure the approach might be a little different knowing just the way we want to present our product,†Branch said. “That will be up at the end of the day to Rogers Sportsnet, the Knights and the league."

 

[krazy kanuck]

Looks like the Knights are considering having Sportsnet cameras follow the team next year much like Saskatoon did this season

Wonder if that was part of the decision...

 

[Tigers1992]

Colts have bid for the Memorial Cup 5 times since our Captain's transgression, 0 Memorial Cups have been awarded.

Bigger issue was how the Colts handled themselves in big game situations. After the 2000 Memorial Cup, you can't honestly expect the league to had over the keys to the biggest tournament of the year. In recent years they have been better, but at the same time, the owner hasn't been the most forthright. Maybe its the ownership issue, or maybe its simply, as was there case this year, better bids What years did they apply?

Colts had 6 opportunities to win trophies this year (games 5, 6, 7 of the Eastern Conference for the Bobby Orr trophy and games 5, 6, 7 of the final). Branch was not in the building for any of games to present the trophy to the Colts, with the exception of game 7 of the final (which also had the opportunity for the Knights to win).

No idea why that was the case. Cant comment there.

Colts had a total of 21 suspension games this playoff, more than all other teams combined. That could be because they were dirtier, but we saw many hits against Colts that were just as bad go unpunished (Subban, Subban and Anderson come to mind).

Won't argue the O'Connor hit, that was on the forward, but the rest where pretty cut and dry. Thats not a Barrie issue thou, thats on Branch. Hes made similar calls on other plays, im sure other fans can list them off happily. Camara's 3 gamer was an automatic, didn't matter what uniform he wore. If you break it down, its more-so Camara being targeted (for good reason, he constantly made dangerous hits/poor decisions)

While Horvat was worthy, the MVP is a trophy for the entire playoffs. How about the guy who was POTW for half the weeks in the playoffs, including the last two in the final, and had 25% more points than anyone in the playoffs? It's not like MS19 didn't show up in the final either, having two 5 point games and scoring just as many big goals as Horvat. The only reason that spread wasn't bigger was because of the aforementioned hit... I realize writers vote but...

So how is that bias? Your issue is with the writers, and the fact that the Knights won. Had Barrie won, Schiefele would have won the trophy.

 

[Tigers1992]

All fair comments, I would ask do you expect them to fill those holes, and if they do, will they be close? Because at the end of the day that's the question. Not many people would have said they could compete with London this year, and without MS19 spending all that time in Winnipeg they would have been real close on points for the season and they came within .1 of a second of overtime in game 7. I expect Bradford, McDonald and Lemieux will all get considerably more ice-time next year and will have considerably more production as a result.

Thats not the committee's job thou, to anticipate who will be traded where. You may be able to replace the attributes that Camara brought, but there won't be a top 10 NHL pick who can control the game like Schiefele on the market, and if he was, the Colts may not have the best assets to get him.

You may be able to capture a bit of magic with a Matt Mahalik in net, but will be be as good as Niederberger? Maybe, but thats some big shoes to fill. The Colts also have not been very aggressive in the import draft, so one can't expect the Colts to fill holes there either, especially where they draft.

End of the day the Knights roster was much better, and that was the key difference. I get that your a Colts fan, but perhaps you don't see this as independent as others do. There's an emotional attachment that the committee doesn't have. London had the better roster, flip those rosters, and Barrie wins this thing fairly easily.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Thats not the committee's job thou, to anticipate who will be traded where. You may be able to replace the attributes that Camara brought, but there won't be a top 10 NHL pick who can control the game like Schiefele on the market, and if he was, the Colts may not have the best assets to get him.

You may be able to capture a bit of magic with a Matt Mahalik in net, but will be be as good as Niederberger? Maybe, but thats some big shoes to fill. The Colts also have not been very aggressive in the import draft, so one can't expect the Colts to fill holes there either, especially where they draft.

End of the day the Knights roster was much better, and that was the key difference. I get that your a Colts fan, but perhaps you don't see this as independent as others do. There's an emotional attachment that the committee doesn't have. London had the better roster, flip those rosters, and Barrie wins this thing fairly easily.

I would put some money on that. Monahan will be dealt from Ottawa. If Tom Wilson returns it wouldn't surprise me if he moved.

 

[Tigers1992]

I would put some money on that. Monahan will be dealt from Ottawa. If Tom Wilson returns it wouldn't surprise me if he moved.

Wilson won't be dealt. Plymouth is preparing for another run.

If Monahan returns (which would be a surprise), there are a few potential contenders who have more assets to move, be it 95-96 aged players and draft picks. London heald onto all their pieces this year to go all in next year.

 

[krazy kanuck]

Bigger issue was how the Colts handled themselves in big game situations. After the 2000 Memorial Cup, you can't honestly expect the league to had over the keys to the biggest tournament of the year.

No, but I question whether that's still the issue and may be until Branch leaves his post. Also, that was a previous ownership group, a different group of players, and different coaching staff - nobody right up to and including the manager of the souvenir store is still around.

What years did they apply?

Every year since they entered the league, with the exception of 96. 99, 02, 05, 08, 11, 14. Never been awarded.

No idea why that was the case. Cant comment there.

Nobody can except Mr. Branch. Feels more than a little shifty though.

Won't argue the O'Connor hit, that was on the forward, but the rest where pretty cut and dry. Thats not a Barrie issue thou, thats on Branch.

The decision on Dotchin was pretty terrible too. That's a total of 15 games for nothing. I'm having trouble remembering the 1 gamer for Camara, but I think that was nothing too.

Thats not the committee's job thou, to anticipate who will be traded where.

Well, here we'll just agree to disagree. If they're going to consider strength of roster so heavily they need to figure what will be there. Whatever misgivings they were having about Saskatoon embarrassing themselves this year appear to be being disproved. They could lose the next game and the tie-breaker and they still won't have been an embarrassment.

End of the day the Knights roster was much better, and that was the key difference. I get that your a Colts fan, but perhaps you don't see this as independent as others do. There's an emotional attachment that the committee doesn't have. London had the better roster, flip those rosters, and Barrie wins this thing fairly easily.

I'm not trying to hide my bias, it's certainly there. As a fan of the league, I don't think it's the best thing to keep having the tournament in a 50 mile radius. I'm not disputing that London likely will have the best roster, but rather that it should be the primary variable considered (especially since it is the least predictable variable).

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Wilson won't be dealt. Plymouth is preparing for another run.

If Monahan returns (which would be a surprise), there are a few potential contenders who have more assets to move, be it 95-96 aged players and draft picks. London heald onto all their pieces this year to go all in next year.

How can they prepare for another run after losing Noesen, Trocheck, Rakell, Heard, MacDonald and Levi. I like some of their players but they don't have a single OHL 1st round pick in their lineup from 11, 12 or probably this year. This is not to mention they may lose Meurs as well.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

Kanuck next year should be a firestorm of controversy for Branch and London if they don't win the Memorial Cup this year. The meme should be London has only won the Memorial Cup when they were able to host it, otherwise their team hasn't been good enough to win the Memorial Cup. Scott Moore at Sportsnet will have nothing of that it will be all about the greatness of the Knights, after they were on Sportsnet 9 times before the Memorial Cup. I am sure Moore will angle for every Friday CHL game of the week to include the London Knights.

 

[OHLTG]

PP getting a little testy calling out people that say stuff behind their keyboard but at the same time challenging those people to do something in person. I hope that can be arranged for PP in the future I would love to see the results.

LOL it'd be amusing to see someone even approach PP in that way

 

[Whalers Fan]

How can they prepare for another run after losing Noesen, Trocheck, Rakell, Heard, MacDonald and Levi. I like some of their players but they don't have a single OHL 1st round pick in their lineup from 11, 12 or probably this year. This is not to mention they may lose Meurs as well.

While I do not agree with the "preparing for another run" comment, the Whalers under Mike Vellucci have not been a team to sell players at the deadline during a rebuild. They did not do it with Tyler Seguin on an otherwise mediocre team, so I would not expect it to happen with Tom Wilson on a somewhat better team than the one in Seguin's draft year. Wilson will either be playing in Washington, D.C. or Plymouth next season.

I did have to chuckle a little at Tigers1992's comment on trying to catch lighting in a bottle with Matt Mahalak, too. No team is going to catch anything worthwhile with him in net.

 

[Tigers1992]

How can they prepare for another run after losing Noesen, Trocheck, Rakell, Heard, MacDonald and Levi. I like some of their players but they don't have a single OHL 1st round pick in their lineup from 11, 12 or probably this year. This is not to mention they may lose Meurs as well.

Ask the team that. Its not my comment, its theirs.