Storm Alumni Competing in 2021 Stanley Cup Final
Published on June 28, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Guelph Storm News Release
The puck drops on the 2021 Stanley Cup Final tonight, with two former Storm players and 14 OHL graduates hitting the ice in pursuit of hockey's ultimate prize. On the Montreal Canadiens are former Storm players Ben Chiarot and 2018-19 OHL Champion Nick Suzuki.
The Montreal Canadiens are back in the big dance for the first time since they last won it all behind the fine goaltending of Patrick Roy in 1993. Back-to-back 100-point OHL scorer Tyler Toffoli led the Habs in regular season scoring and sits atop the playoff points list with 14 (5-9-14) over 17 games followed closely by former OHL Playoff MVP Nick Suzuki with 13 (5-8-13). Montreal features a former back-to-back OHL champion in London Knights graduate Josh Anderson, Suzuki who won the Robertson Cup with the Guelph Storm in 2019, as well as Corey Perry who won both an OHL championship and Memorial Cup title with London in 2005. While Perry, 36, won a Stanley Cup title with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, another of the game's elder statesmen in 36-year-old Peterborough Petes graduate Eric Staal is hoping to hoist his first Cup since 2006 when he did so with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Behind the bench, Peterborough Petes alumnus Luke Richardson has assumed head coaching duties in the absence of Dominique Ducharme who was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the semi-finals. The Canadiens bounced the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games, bested the Winnipeg Jets in four straight, topped the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, and face their final test in the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Canadiens franchise has won an NHL record 24 Stanley Cup championships.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are back in the Final, defending their 2020 Stanley Cup title with seven OHL graduates going for back-to-back championships. The Bolts rolled through division rivals in Florida (6 games) and Carolina (5 games) before getting the better of the New York Islanders in a thrilling seven game semi-final clash.
London Knights graduate Pat Maroon seeks to become the first player to win a Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons since multiple members of the New York Islanders did so from 1980-83. Tampa Bay also features a pair of former OHL teammates who won a Robertson Cup title with the Erie Otters in 2017 as Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak have both played big roles for the Bolts down the stretch. In addition to Cirelli (Oshawa Generals, 2015), defensive workhose Mikhail Sergachev is Tampa Bay's other Memorial Cup champion as the Russian blueliner won it all with the Windsor Spitfires on home ice in 2017. Lightning captain and Sarnia Sting legend Steven Stamkos is healthy to start the series. Number 91 was hampered by injuries during Tampa Bay's title run last spring, scoring a big goal in his lone appearance. He's posted 17 points (7-10-17) through 18 games in these playoffs.
The Bolts are chasing their third Stanley Cup title following past triumphs in 2004 and 2020.
2021 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE:
Game 1: Mon., June 28, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 2: Wed., June 30, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBCSN, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 3: Fri., July 2, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens. NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4: Mon., July 5, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5: Wed., July 7, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*
Game 6: Fri., July 9, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*
Game 7: Sun., July 11, 7 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning, NBC, SN, CBC, TVAS*
OHL GRADS IN THE 2021 STANLEY CUP FINAL:
Montreal Canadiens (6):
Josh Anderson (London Knights, 2011-14)
Ben Chiarot (Guelph/Sudbury/Saginaw, 2007-11)
Corey Perry (London Knights, 2001-05)
Eric Staal (Peterborough Petes, 2000-03)
Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack/Guelph Storm, 2015-19)
Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67's, 2008-12)
Assistant Coach Luke Richardson (Peterborough Petes, 1985-87)
Tampa Bay Lightning (8):
Erik Cernak (Erie Otters, 2015-17)
Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals/Erie Otters, 2014-17)
Barclay Goodrow (Brampton/North Bay Battalion, 2009-14)
Boris Katchouk (Soo Greyhounds, 2014-18)
Pat Maroon (London Knights, 2007-08)
Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires, 2015-17)
Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting, 2006-08)
Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit/London Knights, 2013-17)
Assistant Coach Rob Zettler (Soo Greyhounds, 1984-88)
Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2021
- It's a Date: October 7 - North Bay Battalion
- Sting Return to the Hive Friday October 8th in 2021 Home Opener - Sarnia Sting
- 2021-22 Season Storm Home Opener Unveiled - Guelph Storm
- OHL Announces Home Openers for 2021/2022 Season - Barrie Colts
- 67's Home Opener Set for October 10 against Kingston - Ottawa 67's
- Generals Host Bulldogs for 2021 Home Opener - Oshawa Generals
- Attack to Host Division Rival Knights in 2021-22 Home Opener - Owen Sound Attack
- Home Opener Set for Friday, October 8th vs. the Guelph Storm - Kitchener Rangers
- Petes Welcome Sudbury Wolves at 2021-22 Home Opener - Peterborough Petes
- Spirit Announce Home Opening Game of 20th Anniversary Season - Saginaw Spirit
- Otters Announce 21-22 Home Opener - Erie Otters
- OHL Announces 2021-22 Home Openers - OHL
- Storm Alumni Competing in 2021 Stanley Cup Final - Guelph Storm
- Behind the Bench Through 2022-2023; Greyhounds Extend Contracts of Coaching Trio - Soo Greyhounds
- Generals Community Mourns the Loss of Wally Donaldson - Oshawa Generals
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