knights confident after making memorial cup presentation
April 17th, 2013
London Knights governor Trevor Whiffen is a confident man after the Knights made a presentation to the Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee Monday morning.
"We shared a lot of information about our bid, and they seemed to be receptive of what we offered," said Whiffen. He was joined by GM Mark Hunter, Tourism London GM John Winston, 2008 world under-17 Hockey Challenge chair and ‘05 financial director Joe O’Neill and Budweiser Gardens GM Brian Ohl.
“The Ontario Hockey League had a most exhilarating day with three strong bid presentations,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch in a statement. “All three clubs did a most professional and thorough presentation showcasing their community and various elements which demonstrate their passion for this event."
The Knights' are confident they will deliver a strong on ice product, which goes without saying, is one of the key criteria in selecting a host for the Canadian Hockey League's elite tournament. Over the years though, the hosts have fallen flat on occasion.
Shawinigan last season were sent packing in the second round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs last season by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. This years hosts, the Saskatoon Blades were swept in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The Knights? Whiffen doesn't think so.
"If all goes according to plan, the guys we thing will get drafted this year by the NHL do get drafted, we could be seeing anywhere between 14 to 17 NHL drafted players on our roster next year," added Whiffen. "That has never happened before in Memorial Cup History."
Sure the Knights will be without current captain Scott Harrington and more than likely won't have Boston Bruins prospect Seth Griffith and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex Broadhurst, but they'll still be a competitive team. Part of the competitiveness stems from this season where GM Mark Hunter refused to trade for a short team 'loan' and give us the franchise's future.
Also in London's advantage (and disadvantage for that matter) is the fact that they hosted the Memorial Cup in 2005. Whiffen was the chair of the host committee that season and says that 19 people from that host committee have already volunteered their time next season should London be named host.
"We have a vast amount of experience hosting events generally, and in particular with this event," said Whiffen. "We know exactly what's needed to do in order to put on a good event. In some ways, we're a low risk option for the Site Selection committee because they know, that we know, how it's done."
“We’ve held 15 (national and world) events in the last 10 years,” said Tourism London GM John Winston. “The figure skating worlds to the 2011 Brier to the Memorial Cup in ‘05, we have shown time and again what London can do.”
The Knights want the Memorial Cup once again, and just like they did in 2005, they won't want to be back door entrants to the tournaments. The 2005 team and their record of 59-7-2-0 is still fresh in the minds of junior hockey fans across the country. Over the last two seasons, they've won 99 games in the regular season, 24 out of 28 playoff games spread over two years, including their past six playoff series.
Amongst the other bids, the Barrie Colts’ have former Knight Andreas Athanasiou returning. They also boast exceptionally talented defender Aaron Ekblad and can tweak the roster if needed. On paper though, they don't come close to London.
The Windsor Spitfires remain the dark horse. They missed the playoffs this year, were fined last summer for violating player recruitment rules, and has had several recent public-relations nightmares off the ice. Adding to that list is the fact their core group hasn’t won a playoff game in two seasons.
The Site Selection Committee comprised of Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston, former OHL and NHL Executive and Director of Central Scouting Frank Bonello, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Gregory, and President of Broadcast, Rogers Media (Sportsnet) Scott Moore. Ex officio members included OHL Legal Counsel Gord Kirke, and Commissioner David Branch.
The successful hosts will be announced in early May.
Now all the teams can do, is wait.
Back to Sports Stories
London Knights governor Trevor Whiffen is a confident man after the Knights made a presentation to the Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee Monday morning.
"We shared a lot of information about our bid, and they seemed to be receptive of what we offered," said Whiffen. He was joined by GM Mark Hunter, Tourism London GM John Winston, 2008 world under-17 Hockey Challenge chair and ‘05 financial director Joe O’Neill and Budweiser Gardens GM Brian Ohl.
“The Ontario Hockey League had a most exhilarating day with three strong bid presentations,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch in a statement. “All three clubs did a most professional and thorough presentation showcasing their community and various elements which demonstrate their passion for this event."
The Knights' are confident they will deliver a strong on ice product, which goes without saying, is one of the key criteria in selecting a host for the Canadian Hockey League's elite tournament. Over the years though, the hosts have fallen flat on occasion.
Shawinigan last season were sent packing in the second round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs last season by the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. This years hosts, the Saskatoon Blades were swept in the first round of the Western Hockey League playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The Knights? Whiffen doesn't think so.
"If all goes according to plan, the guys we thing will get drafted this year by the NHL do get drafted, we could be seeing anywhere between 14 to 17 NHL drafted players on our roster next year," added Whiffen. "That has never happened before in Memorial Cup History."
Sure the Knights will be without current captain Scott Harrington and more than likely won't have Boston Bruins prospect Seth Griffith and Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex Broadhurst, but they'll still be a competitive team. Part of the competitiveness stems from this season where GM Mark Hunter refused to trade for a short team 'loan' and give us the franchise's future.
Also in London's advantage (and disadvantage for that matter) is the fact that they hosted the Memorial Cup in 2005. Whiffen was the chair of the host committee that season and says that 19 people from that host committee have already volunteered their time next season should London be named host.
"We have a vast amount of experience hosting events generally, and in particular with this event," said Whiffen. "We know exactly what's needed to do in order to put on a good event. In some ways, we're a low risk option for the Site Selection committee because they know, that we know, how it's done."
“We’ve held 15 (national and world) events in the last 10 years,” said Tourism London GM John Winston. “The figure skating worlds to the 2011 Brier to the Memorial Cup in ‘05, we have shown time and again what London can do.”
The Knights want the Memorial Cup once again, and just like they did in 2005, they won't want to be back door entrants to the tournaments. The 2005 team and their record of 59-7-2-0 is still fresh in the minds of junior hockey fans across the country. Over the last two seasons, they've won 99 games in the regular season, 24 out of 28 playoff games spread over two years, including their past six playoff series.
Amongst the other bids, the Barrie Colts’ have former Knight Andreas Athanasiou returning. They also boast exceptionally talented defender Aaron Ekblad and can tweak the roster if needed. On paper though, they don't come close to London.
The Windsor Spitfires remain the dark horse. They missed the playoffs this year, were fined last summer for violating player recruitment rules, and has had several recent public-relations nightmares off the ice. Adding to that list is the fact their core group hasn’t won a playoff game in two seasons.
The Site Selection Committee comprised of Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Paul Beeston, former OHL and NHL Executive and Director of Central Scouting Frank Bonello, NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Gregory, and President of Broadcast, Rogers Media (Sportsnet) Scott Moore. Ex officio members included OHL Legal Counsel Gord Kirke, and Commissioner David Branch.
The successful hosts will be announced in early May.
Now all the teams can do, is wait.
Back to Sports Stories