OHL Cup Has Been Minor Hockey’s Top Showcase Event
Brady Pataki powers to the net against the Toronto Marlboros at the 2014 OHL Cup – Photo Aaron Bell/OHL Images
The event has been one of hockey’s top scouting and showcase events for years, featuring the best minor midget ‘AAA’ teams from across Ontario, and selected teams from the USA.
For Chatham-Kent athletes, this tournament has been a chance to prove themselves. When the Chatham-Kent Cyclones last won their way into the Cup in 2014, the team featured notable local players including Joseph Raaymakers, Brady Pataki, Levi Tetrault, Brendan Harrogate, Ross Krieger, and Nolan Gardiner. Many seeing their OHL draft stock skyrocket after the tournament.
This year, the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, who included Blenheim’s Brady Stonehouse, and Ridgetown’s Zander Veccia were set to compete.
The tournament was won last year by the Don Mills Flyers, who were led by OHL Cup MVP, and future OHL first overall pick Shane Wright.
Past tournament MVP’s include the likes of Connor McDavid and Steven Stamkos.
Although the tournament will not run, it will return as one of hockey’s premier youth events in the future.