Throughout the 2024-25 season, two words echoed around the London Knights: unfinished business. Initially whispered behind closed doors, these words reflected the disappointment of the team, who started as favorites for the 2024 Memorial Cup but fell short.
Denver Bourkey captured the sentiment well, recalling how he experienced the heartbreak of losing in the final moments of a hockey game last year. The team carried this motivation with them all summer, fueling their determination.
The momentum built steadily. Most players returned to London for the season, and the Knights dominated the OHL, losing just 13 games in the regular season and finishing atop the standings. They marched through the playoffs undefeated until the OHL final, where after dropping one game, they rallied with four straight wins over Oshawa to secure their spot in the 2025 Memorial Cup rematch.
Brampton Steelheads also made a notable announcement, signing 2025 OHL Priority First Round Pick Keaton Ardagh to their OHL Scholarship and development agreement.
When asked if there was still unfinished business, the unanimous answer was yes. The season was not complete without clinching the Memorial Cup. On Sunday night, the Knights did just that, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1 to win their third Memorial Cup in franchise history.
This special group, mostly assembled two seasons ago, had already claimed back-to-back OHL titles and set league and franchise records. Winning the Memorial Cup was the perfect culmination for a closely bonded team.
“This is my family. These are my brothers,” said San Jose Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson, embracing the significance of the victory. “It feels like the perfect ending for this core… it’s how it should go out.”
After falling 3-1 to the Tigers in their first encounter, the Knights faced a tough path to the Memorial Cup final. Medicine Hat took an early lead and secured their spot with three unanswered goals. However, London dominated the semi-finals, defeating Moncton 5-2 with a commanding 37-23 shot advantage.
In the rematch against Medicine Hat, Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julian scored first, giving London an early lead. The Knights continued their dominance in the second period, extending the lead to four goals with contributions from Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Easton Cowan and Denver Bourkey.
Though star forward Gavin McKenna scored for the Tigers and had another goal reviewed, the Knights maintained control, securing a 4-1 victory. This win gave head coach Dale Hunter his third Memorial Cup, tying him for the most wins by any coach in tournament history.
This London team will be remembered as one of the finest rosters ever assembled by the OHL, with many players poised to advance to the NHL soon. Though this team will never skate together again, their names are forever linked in Memorial Cup history.
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Fan Take: This impressive Memorial Cup win is a testament to the resilience and talent brewing in junior hockey, underscoring the importance of development leagues in shaping future NHL stars. For hockey fans, it’s exciting to witness such a dominant team rise, promising a bright future for the sport as these players transition to the highest level.
