London 'Fired up' London Knights ready to open Memorial Cup tournament Saturday Share The London Knights enjoyed an off day in Saginaw, Mich. with a light skate and some media duties before heading back to Frankenmuth where they are staying on Friday. They will start the Memorial Cup tournament Saturday afternoon against Drummondville, the champions of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
“We're pretty excited,” said Knights forward Denver Barkey. “That whole presentation [parade] yesterday was pretty cool. Just to see the Memorial Cup there got us fired up.
” London will be walking into a bit of an unknown against Drummondville. “Usually we know these kids from drafting them and watching them in minor midget, but these [kids] are totally different,” said Dale Hunter, Knights head coach. “We showed some film on each player, and you get to know their tendencies.
They swept their series too, so we’ll have to be ready to go.” Drummondville beat Baie-Comeau in four straight games to win the QMJHL title. London fans will see a “high compete team” according to the Voltigeurs’ head coach.
London Knights goalie Michael Simpson, as seen in Sagniaw, Mich. on May 24, 2024, is playing in his second straight Memorial Cup tournament. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) “We're excited to play London right off the get go,” said Sylvain Favreau.
“We understand that they're certainly a favorite to win this tournament. We're excited to compete against them on Sat.