The Spokane Chiefs and Medicine Hat Tigers swept the respective series and looked to battle one another. The schedule hasn’t been posted yet. The distance is just under 500 miles between them. Unlike the rest of the playoffs, the finals allow a flight between the two if the teams agree to split the cost. The flight would originate in Medicine Hat or could come from Spokane, as just that team. From there, heading back to Spokane would see the Tigers board first, followed by the Chiefs. In order to save costs, the teams may agree to a 2-3-2, as has happened in all the Chiefs series this season. It will be a sticking point during the next couple of days as the teams hammer out the details. People wanting to fly will see 1 flight requiring two stops, Seattle and Calgary to Medicine Hat, and the same on return. The cheapest flight is about $600 with over 8 hours to get to Medicine Hat and 6.5 hours return. They will be very dedicated fans. The series dates haven’t been announced yet, but we will start this coming weekend, and the teams will announce the format structure and the travel options.
Medicine Hat won the single-game match 3-2 in Spokane; there was just a 5-point difference held by the Tigers overall for the season when compared to the Chiefs.
In Ontario, both the London Knights and the Oshawa Generals are about to meet. With about 135 miles, requiring 2.5 hours of travel, the teams will be doing this by bus. The format hasn’t been announced, but based on geography, they could opt for 2-2-1-1-1 with the series beginning in London, Ontario, which enjoyed a 24-point advantage in the regular standings, matching up with Oshawa and London splitting the two meetings, Oshawa 5-3 in London and London 4-3 in overtime. This could be quite a match.
The QMJHL is still going. The Moncton Wildcats, including a clutch fourth win in overtime vs. Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, are currently waiting on the matchup with Shawinigan Cataractes and Rimouski Oceanic. After it appeared the Oceanic would run away with the series, having two lopsided wins, the Cateractes took the next two, a lopsided win and a close overtime battle. The two teams then split the next two, a close overtime battle and then a crushing 5-1 win to even the series at 3, with the final game 7 taking place in Rimouski on Tuesday, which will determine the final [airings and then the winners advance to the Memorial Cup.
Moncton is in New Brunswick, with just over a 6-hour straight drive to Rimouski, and Shawinigan would require upwards of 10 hours travel time. The schedule was 64 games long, with Moncton winning all but 11 and holding court in the division with Rimouski in the Eastern Conference by 12 points. Shawinigan in the Western Conference was back 24 points to Moncton. Rimouski hosts the Cup, so if they win their series with Shawinigan, both Rimouski and Moncton will advance to the four-team Memorial Cup.
Details will be announced very soon after the Rimouski/Shawinigan game at 7 Pacific time, as will the other series going on.
We will learn how the matches shake down, what travel methods will be used, etc, in a couple of days.
On the WHL front, the WHL Executive of the Year was given to Matt Bardsley. For years, he was a fixture in the Portland scene, helping to create stars of the future. Looking at him, he doesn’t give off the hockey knowledge and creative genius; however, he is undoubtedly a master at getting the biggest bang for the buck. Leaving Portland, he ventured to Kamloops, where he had solid success, but longed to return to the States. His shot in Spokane has paid dividends and is one series from bringing his team to the Memorial Cup. He was with the Portland franchise when they went to the Memorial Cup in 2013, so he has experience there.
Though this was announced in November 2024, as teams fall by the wayside in postseason, this issue is now coming to the forefront. The NCAA voted to open college hockey eligibility to Canadian Hockey players in the upcoming season as of August 1st. Before this, players could attend college or play major junior hockey. However, transferring from college to Major Junior was tough, and the other way was impossible.
It was especially tough for American-born players who reached the end of junior hockey eligibility to attend US Colleges as they weren’t allowed to play due to NCAA rules to continue their careers. Most either quit hockey or were lucky enough to latch onto a Canadian University. There have been rumblings that teams will see an exodus, including the Portland Winterhawks’ Diego Buttazzoni, who received a cross-checking major and game misconduct vs Spokane in game 4, which could amount to a few games. Diego is one of several who are rumored to go the collegiate route, and it is unclear whether any discipline would follow from Major Junior to college on August 1.
August 1st, this all begins, and training camps for CHL franchises start shortly thereafter.
One other wrinkle to be added will be bringing the Penticton Vees to the WHL. They will play in the BC Division and will have a completely new team. The existing team players and the franchise itself are being relocated.
It’s been a while since we talked expansion (that being the Chilliwack Bruins in 2006 before they relocated to Victoria in 2010 to become The Royals. The Bruins were to have Tri-City relocate there, but the Board of Governors voted that down. They created an expansion franchise. In a quick rundown, the team will be allowed four overage players preseason and through playoffs, but have just three if they compete in the Memorial Cup. The expansion franchise selects 1 player from each team. No 16-year-old players are to be part of the process.
Teams can choose from 2 options as to the creation of their lists to be made available when Penticton selects. This is from the WHL site:
“A) 16 players aged 17 to 20 years old (born in 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005) appearing on their 50-player, Injured, Suspended, Graduate, Special Import, and 20-year-old Lists, plus an additional six (6) players appearing on their College List.
or
B) 14 players aged 17 to 19 years old (born in 2008, 2007, 2006) and three (3) 20-year-old players (born in 2005) appearing on their 50-player, Injured, Suspended, Graduate, Special Import, and 20-year-old Lists, plus an additional six (6) players on their College List.”
Much will also depend on whether a franchise with a player drafted sees that player then go the NCAA route, and how that will work out.
Penticton also has the fourth pick in the lottery for the Prospects, the US Priority Draft, and the Import draft. Penticton also can’t choose underage players, such as Connor Bedard and Zack Benson, who are on the Pro Hockey list.
It’s always hit or miss with the success of an expansion franchise. Chilliwack did relatively well in the draft and put together competitive franchises during their time there. Something to consider for next season, when they will partake in expansion themselves.
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