The 2025 Memorial Cup has officially begun in Rimouski, Quebec, and all eyes are on 17-year-old sensation Gavin McKenna. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward is expected to be the marquee attraction in this year’s tournament, which features some of the best talent in Canadian junior hockey.
Gavin McKenna: Built for the Spotlight
A dominant force throughout the 2024–25 season, McKenna led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the Western Hockey League (WHL) title and is now set to chase Canadian junior hockey’s top prize. The Whitehorse native finished the season with an astonishing 129 points in 56 games, including a 54-game point streak — the longest in CHL history since 2000.
McKenna added 38 points in 16 playoff games and returned from injury to help Medicine Hat clinch the WHL championship in Game 5 against Spokane. Widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, McKenna enters the Memorial Cup with the kind of pressure few 17-year-olds have faced — and seems perfectly comfortable with it.
2025 Memorial Cup Game 1 Player to Watch: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
2025 Memorial Cup Teams
Four teams are competing for the Memorial Cup:
- Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL Champions)
- London Knights (Ontario Hockey League Champions)
- Moncton Wildcats (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Champions)
- Rimouski Océanic (Host Team)
The tournament began May 22 and will culminate with the final on June 1 at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski.
Rimouski Océanic: Host Team Looks to Capitalize
The Rimouski Océanic earned their place as host and backed it up with a deep playoff run, pushing Moncton to six games in the QMJHL final. While the Wildcats lifted the Gilles-Courteau Trophy, Rimouski’s performance confirmed they’re more than just a host team — they’re a real threat.
Forward Jacob Mathieu led Rimouski in the postseason with 24 points and will be pivotal as the Océanic aim to win their first Memorial Cup since 2000.
Moncton and London: Powerhouses to Watch
Moncton arrives as QMJHL champions, loaded with top-end skill and speed. Coach Gardiner MacDougall, who previously coached McKenna on Team Canada’s U18 squad, now faces the challenge of stopping his former star. Moncton’s deep roster and recent playoff success position them as serious contenders.
London, representing the OHL, enters with a team stacked with NHL prospects and Memorial Cup experience. Their structure, depth, and playoff pedigree make them another favorite.
Upcoming Schedule and Tournament Outlook
The tournament’s round-robin format ensures each team will face off, with semi-finals and the final scheduled for late next week. Key matchups include:
- Medicine Hat vs. London – A heavyweight clash between WHL and OHL champions.
- Moncton vs. Rimouski – A rematch of the QMJHL final and a chance for revenge.
With elite-level talent across the board, the 2025 Memorial Cup promises to deliver high-intensity action, breakout performances, and a stage for the next generation of NHL stars to make their mark.
As Gavin McKenna put it, “You don’t come here with a one-man team.” But in Rimouski, he just might be the difference-maker.
Tigers claw out comeback win against host Rimouski Oceanic in 2025 Memorial Cup opener