2023 Memorial Cup: Stankoven, Malatesta lead list of top 10 standout players

After a week of some exciting hockey action, the Canadian Hockey League has clowned a national champion.

The Quebec Ramparts stomped all over the Seattle Thunderbirds on Sunday evening with a 5-0 win, good enough to earn them their third Memorial Cup in franchise history. The Ramparts were dominant throughout the tournament, with Columbus Blue Jackets prospect James Malatesta earning MVP honors.

There was a good mix of NHL-drafted and undrafted talent on display between Quebec, Seattle, Peterborough and the hosts from Kamloops. So, with that, here’s a look at 10 of the top standouts:

Logan Stankoven, Kamloops (Dallas Stars)

Stankoven got to experience what very few hockey players ever get to experience: having the chance to win the Memorial Cup in your hometown with your junior team. The Kamloops Blazers captain had a miraculous run throughout the playoffs, leading the WHL with 30 points in just 14 games, and then capped it off with a tournament-leading nine points in four contests.

The Blazers’ heart-breaking loss to Peterborough in the tie-breaker game likely marked his final junior hockey game. After a remarkable season that saw him capture a gold medal at the world juniors, Stankoven will look to go pro in 2023-24 with the Dallas Stars.

Olen Zellweger, Kamloops (Anaheim Ducks)

The elite mobile defenseman arrived in Kamloops at the trade deadline to help spark the Blazers’ Memorial Cup effort. The Anaheim Ducks second-rounder won both the WHL and CHL defensemen of the year titles, so his presence was so important for the Blazers.

Like Stankoven, Zellweger took command of the WHL playoffs, registering 29 points in 14 games. Throughout the Memorial Cup, the “rover,” as he is often referred to for his style of play, notched four points in four games of action. The 19-year-old will likely be in San Diego next season in the American Hockey League. Zellweger was named to the KIA Memorial Cup CHL All-Star Team.

James Malatesta, Quebec (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Malatesta set the world on fire to start the tournament, scoring a hat-trick in the opening game against the Blazers. Malatesta was a pure scoring threat throughout the tournament, finding open slots and shooting the puck as much as possible. He scored five goals in four games, earning himself tournament MVP and being named to the KIA Memorial Cup CHL All-Star Team.

The Montreal, Quebec product won the Guy Lafleur Trophy as the QMJHL MVP, notching 14 goals and 20 points in 18 games en route to a league title. Between Malatesta’s season, and the play of Halifax’s Jordan Dumais, there were plenty of reasons for Blue Jackets fans to keep a close look at the Q this year.

William Rousseau, Quebec (Undrafted)

One of two goalies to make this list, and rightfully so. Remparts netminder William Rousseau put up a dominating 35-8-1 record throughout the regular season and then won 16 of his 18 playoff starts. Rousseau was awarded the Jacques Plante Trophy for posting the best goals-against average in the Quebec league.

He made some big key saves for the Remparts in Kamloops, and shut out the WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds in the final when it mattered most. Rousseau finished with a 3-1-0 record and a .937 save percentage, earning him tournament top goalie honors and a spot on the all-star team.

Theo Rochette, Quebec (Undrafted)

Remparts captain Theo Rochette ends his major junior career on a high note, winning the QMJHL Trophy and the Memorial Cup. The 21-year-old played significant minutes for the Remparts throughout the tournament; he notched three goals and three assists in four games. He recorded two points in each game except for the 4-2 loss to the Petes.

Rochette had three goals in his first two Memorial Cup games as his line with St. Louis Blues prospect Zachary Bolduc and Charles Savoie really seemed to connect. Rochette played a solid two-way game and had a powerplay goal for the Remparts during their 8-3 opening victory over the Blazers.

Kyle Crnkovic, Seattle (Undrafted)

Crnkovic came to Seattle in August of 2022 following a trade with the Saskatoon Blades, and it didn’t take long for him, Jared Davidson and Lucas Ciona to click. Crnkovic notched 30 goals and 68 points with the Thunderbirds this past season while scoring 16 points in 19 WHL playoff games as the Thunderbirds captured the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as league champions. Crnkovic registered a team-leading five goals and eight points in five Memorial Cup games. He and Davidson combined for 10 points in their last two games before the championship game.

Jared Davidson, Seattle (Montreal Canadiens)

After going undrafted in the WHL, Davidson was taken by Montreal Canadiens in the fifth round last year as a double overager. This season, he thrived on a line with Crnkovic and Ciona, registering 23 points in 19 playoff games and helping the Thunderbirds win the WHL championship. He was named a WHL (U.S. Division) First-Team All-Star. During the Memorial Cup, his line continued to do damage; Davidson tallied five assists and six points in five Memorial Cup games. Davidson was essential to opening lanes and creating plays to set up Crnkovic and Ciona; the line combined for 18 points in five games. Davidson will likely see action next season with Laval.

Thomas Milic (Seattle)

What a year it was for world junior gold medalist and WHL playoff MVP Thomas Milic. He stood on his head throughout the Memorial Cup, posting a 3-1-0 record with 1.76 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. This past season, he backstopped the powerhouse Thunderbirds to a WHL Championship after a remarkable run throughout the season, posting a 27-3-1 record and a .928 save percentage.

Milic, the WHL’s top goaltender this year, came up big in the semifinal matchup against the Petes, making some crucial saves to keep the game locked down and advancing to the Thunderbirds’ first Memorial Cup final. Milic now looks towards the NHL Draft in Nashville, his third year eligible.

J.R. Avon (Peterborough)

Avon is all speed; he used that to his advantage throughout this tournament, burning players and scoring three goals to tie Avery Hayes for the team lead. After registering back-to-back 60-point seasons, the Peterborough boy scored one of the biggest goals of his career during the semifinal, notching the overtime winner off an Owen Beck feed to eliminate the Blazers from the tournament in dramatic fashion. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect will return to major junior next season with the Petes, but there are reasons for Flyers fans to be excited.

Brennan Othmann (Peterborough)

The New York Rangers prospect found himself in Peterborough following a trade with the Flint Firebirds, and it paid off. The Canadian world junior champion notched 43 points in 40 games as a member of the Petes before recording another 25 points during the team’s OHL title run. Othmann had a well-rounded Memorial Cup, notching two goals and three assists in five games before the Thunderbirds eliminated the Petes. Fans should expect to see Othmann in the AHL next season with the Rangers farm team, the Hartford Wolfpack.