2005 Memorial Cup
Encyclopedia
The 2005 Memorial Cup
was held May 21–29, 2005 at the John Labatt Centre
in London, Ontario
. The Cup tournament featured the champions from the Western Hockey League
, the Kelowna Rockets
, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
, the Rimouski Océanic
, the Ottawa 67's
representing the Ontario Hockey League
, and the host team. Since the host team, the London Knights
, won the Ontario Hockey League championship
against the Ottawa 67's
, the 67's earned the right to represent the OHL as the runner-up.
The Knights had never won the Memorial Cup, unlike the other three teams, despite having a franchise for longer than any of the other three teams (40 seasons). 2005 marked both London's first ever OHL championship and first Memorial Cup victory in its 40 year history.
All-star team
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
was held May 21–29, 2005 at the John Labatt Centre
John Labatt Centre
The John Labatt Centre is a sports-entertainment centre, in London, Ontario, Canada -- the largest such centre in southwestern Ontario.The John Labatt Centre, usually referred to as the "JLC", opened on October 11, 2002. It is named after John Labatt, founder of the Labatt brewery in London...
in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. The Cup tournament featured the champions from the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
, the Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, the Rimouski Océanic
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
, the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
representing the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
, and the host team. Since the host team, the London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
, won the Ontario Hockey League championship
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
against the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
, the 67's earned the right to represent the OHL as the runner-up.
The Knights had never won the Memorial Cup, unlike the other three teams, despite having a franchise for longer than any of the other three teams (40 seasons). 2005 marked both London's first ever OHL championship and first Memorial Cup victory in its 40 year history.
Round-robin standings
| GP | W | L | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Knights London Knights The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:... (host) |
3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 7 |
| Rimouski Océanic Rimouski Océanic The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season... (QMJHL) |
3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 10 |
| Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:... (OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... ) |
3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 11 |
| Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place.... (WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... ) |
3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 |
Coverage
Media attention was unusually high, with the television ratings the highest ever recorded for the tournament http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/Junior/2005/05/28/1060786-sun.html. There were several reasons for this increase in media attention:- Lack of competition from the NHL Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
playoffs. The NHL season was cancelled because of a labour dispute, which made the Memorial Cup tournament the most important active North American hockey trophy in the interim. Further, since there was no NHL, some of the young prospects were able to play for their junior teams instead of playing for their affiliated NHL teams. As such, the better junior players helped facilitate more competitive games. - The presence of two of the best teams ever in junior hockey.
- a) The London KnightsLondon KnightsThe London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
went 31 games in a row undefeated to begin their season, setting a new CHL record. The team was ranked number 1 in the weekly CHL rankings for the entire length of the season. The Knights had also never won the Memorial Cup in their entire 40 year history. This would be a perfect year to win the cup as the tournament was held in London which was also the city's sesquicentennial. - b) The Rimouski OcéanicRimouski OcéanicThe Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
with superstar Sidney CrosbySidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
went even longer undefeated at the end of the season and into the QMJHL playoffs, setting a new Q record with 28 games undefeated. They actually went 35 games without losing including the regular season and QMJHL playoffs, with a third-round loss to Chicoutimi being their only loss in the QMJHL in the 2005 calendar year half of the 2004–05 season. As the CHL did not count the playoff games towards their streak, London's mark remains the longest in the record books, a fact that the Océanic used as motivation. 2005 was also to be Crosby's last year in the CHL and final opportunity to win the Memorial Cup.
- a) The London Knights
- The Kelowna RocketsKelowna RocketsThe Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
were the defending Memorial Cup champions. - The Ottawa 67'sOttawa 67'sThe Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
, coached by the "legendary" Brian KilreaBrian KilreaBrian Blair "Killer" Kilrea is an ice hockey head coach, general manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category, most notably with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, with whom Kilrea has been associated for over 35 years...
, finished in a distant 6th place in their conference but made a strong playoff performance to come back to face the Knights in the OHL final.
Rosters
| Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place.... (WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... ) |
London Knights London Knights The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:... (host) |
|---|---|
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Head Coach: Jeff Truitt |
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Head Coach: Dale Hunter Dale Hunter Dale Robert Hunter is a former professional ice hockey player and current head coach of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League.-NHL career:... |
| Ottawa 67's Ottawa 67's The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:... (OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... ) |
Rimouski Océanic Rimouski Océanic The Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season... (QMJHL) |
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Head Coach: Brian Kilrea Brian Kilrea Brian Blair "Killer" Kilrea is an ice hockey head coach, general manager and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders' category, most notably with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League, with whom Kilrea has been associated for over 35 years... |
Goaltenders
Defensemen
Forwards
Head Coach: Doris Labonte |
Round robin
Semifinal
Final
Scoring leaders
- Sidney CrosbySidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, RIM (6g, 5a, 11pts) - Marc-Antoine PouliotMarc-Antoine PouliotMarc-Antoine Pouliot is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was selected 22nd overall by Edmonton in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.-Junior:...
, RIM (3g, 7a, 10pts) - Dany RoussinDany RoussinDany Roussin is a professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Saint Georges COOL-FM of the LNAH..-QMJHL:Dany was taken in the first round of the QMJHL Entry Draft by the Sherbrooke Beavers. After two seasons with the Beavers, where he was stuck playing in a defensive role for Sherbrook,...
, RIM (3g, 6a, 9pts) - Mario Scalzo, Jr., RIM (2g, 7a, 9pts)
- Corey PerryCorey PerryCorey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during...
, LDN (4g, 3a, 7pts) - Patrick CoulombePatrick CoulombePatrick Coulombe is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.-Playing career:Coulombe played his junior hockey with the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL, joining them in 2001...
, RIM (2g, 5a, 7pts) - Danny Fritsche, LDN (3g, 3a, 6pts)
- Robbie Schremp, LDN (1g, 5a, 6pts)
- Danny Syvret, LDN (1g, 4a, 5pts)
- Dylan HunterDylan HunterDylan Hunter is an ice hockey player, who is a former captain of the London Knights of the OHL and currently playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL....
, LDN (1g, 4a, 5pts)
Leading goaltenders
- Adam DennisAdam DennisAdam Dennis is an ice hockey goalie who played for :de:Kölner Haie.- Early career :He was acquired by the London Knights from the Guelph Storm on January 10, 2005 in exchange for goalie Ryan MacDonald and 3 draft picks.- Draft :He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League in...
, LDN (1.58 gaa, .936 sv%) - Kristofer Westblom, KEL (3.08 gaa, .910 sv%)
- Cedrick DesjardinsCédrick DesjardinsCédrick Desjardins is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Colorado Avalanche organization of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, RIM (3.69 gaa, .914 sv%) - Danny Battochio, OTT (3.93 gaa, .907 sv%)
Award winners
- Stafford Smythe Memorial TrophyStafford Smythe Memorial TrophyThe Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy is a Canadian Hockey League trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the annual Memorial Cup Tournament...
(MVP): Corey PerryCorey PerryCorey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during...
, London - George Parsons TrophyGeorge Parsons TrophyThe George Parsons Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged to be the most sportsmanlike at the Memorial Cup ice hockey tournament. It was first awarded in 1973. The trophy is named for George Parsons, a former OHA and NHL player whose career was ended prematurely in 1939 by an eye...
(Sportsmanship): Marc-Antoine PouliotMarc-Antoine PouliotMarc-Antoine Pouliot is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was selected 22nd overall by Edmonton in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.-Junior:...
, Rimouski - Hap Emms Memorial TrophyHap Emms Memorial TrophyThe Hap Emms Memorial Trophy is awarded to the outstanding goaltender at the Memorial Cup of the Canadian Hockey League.The award is named after Leighton "Hap" Emms, who led four teams to championship victories at the Memorial Cup in the 1950s and 1960s....
(Goaltender): Adam DennisAdam DennisAdam Dennis is an ice hockey goalie who played for :de:Kölner Haie.- Early career :He was acquired by the London Knights from the Guelph Storm on January 10, 2005 in exchange for goalie Ryan MacDonald and 3 draft picks.- Draft :He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League in...
, London - Ed Chynoweth TrophyEd Chynoweth TrophyThe Ed Chynoweth Trophy is awarded to the leading scorer at the Memorial Cup tournament. It was first awarded in 1996. In the case of a tie in points, the award is given to the player with the fewest games played. If they have played the same number of games, the award goes to the player with the...
(Leading Scorer): Sidney CrosbySidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, Rimouski
All-star team
- Goal: Adam DennisAdam DennisAdam Dennis is an ice hockey goalie who played for :de:Kölner Haie.- Early career :He was acquired by the London Knights from the Guelph Storm on January 10, 2005 in exchange for goalie Ryan MacDonald and 3 draft picks.- Draft :He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League in...
, London - Defence: Danny Syvret, London; Mario Scalzo, Jr., Rimouski
- Forwards: Corey PerryCorey PerryCorey Perry is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . Drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League , he captured a Memorial Cup with the London Knights and a gold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships during...
, London; Dan FritscheDan FritscheDan Fritsche is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:...
, London; Sidney CrosbySidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, Rimouski
The road to the cup
- For more information, see 2004–05 QMJHL season, 2004–05 OHL season, and 2004–05 WHL season.