This year’s Memorial Cup promises to showcase some of the brightest young talents in the world of hockey. The tournament will feature a competitive field comprised of 32 NHL-affiliated prospects from four teams: Kitchener, Kelowna, Chicoutimi, and Everett.
Teams and Their Stars
Kitchener leads the pack with 12 NHL-affiliated players, followed by Kelowna with eight, Chicoutimi with seven, and Everett with five. Each team boasts impressive rosters filled with notable prospects.
Kitchener Rangers
- Sam O’Reilly (Tampa Bay Lightning prospect), 2025-26 OHL MVP and 2026 OHL Playoffs MVP.
- Cameron Reid (Nashville Predators first-round pick).
Kelowna Rockets
- Tij Iginla (Utah Mammoth first-round pick).
- Vojtech Cihar (Los Angeles Kings prospect), 2026 World Junior Championship MVP.
Everett Silvertips
- Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings first-round pick).
- Julius Miettinen (Seattle Kraken prospect), 2026 WHL Playoffs MVP.
- Landon DuPont, a promising 2027 NHL Draft prospect.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens
- Maxim Massé (Anaheim Ducks prospect), 2025-26 QMJHL MVP.
2026 NHL Draft Prospects
The tournament is also a significant showcase for players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting ranks several participants among the top talents, including:
- Liam Lefebvre (No. 38 among North American Skaters).
- Brek Liske (No. 44).
- Alexander Bilecki (No. 49).
- Matias Vanhanen (No. 54).
Additionally, goaltenders Harrison Boettiger and Jason Schaubel are ranked No. 10 and No. 36, respectively, among North American goaltenders.
2026 Memorial Cup Schedule
The confirmed teams for the 2026 Memorial Cup are:
- Hosts: Kelowna Rockets
- OHL Champions: Kitchener Rangers
- WHL Champions: Everett Silvertips
- QMJHL Champions: Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Fans can catch live coverage of the 2026 Memorial Cup on the NHL Network. The event promises to be an exciting display of young hockey talent and competitive spirit.
