NHL Network U.S. to Broadcast 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup

Press Release

Brandon, MB – For the third consecutive year, NHL Network U.S. will showcase the best teams in Canadian major junior hockey as they compete for a national championship title at the MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament. Fans will have the opportunity to see NHL up-and-coming stars and 2010 Draft picks as they take to the ice at the Canadian Hockey League’s pinnacle tournament.

After a grueling two months of playoff hockey in their respective leagues, four CHL teams will meet in Brandon, Manitoba, from May 14-23 to crown a MasterCard Memorial Cup winner. The tournament features the Western Hockey League (WHL) champion Calgary Hitmen, Ontario Hockey League (OHL) champion Windsor Spitfires and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) champion Moncton Wildcats, plus the host team Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL).

As well as carrying a special preview show on Friday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m., NHL Network U.S. will air Rogers Sportsnet’s coverage of all tournament games with the broadcast team of play-by-play man Peter Loubardias, analyst Sam Cosentino and host Rob Faulds. All games will be broadcast in high definition.

The OHL champion and defending MasterCard Memorial Cup titlist Windsor Spitfires -- with NHL Central Scouting’s No. 2-ranked player, Taylor Hall, and No. 5-ranked Cam Fowler -- will open the tournament against host Brandon, on Friday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET. The Wheat Kings' roster includes two top-10 picks from last summer’s Entry Draft -- Brayden Schenn (Los Angeles, fifth overall) and Scott Glennie (Dallas, eighth overall).

Day two coverage will feature the Calgary Hitmen, led by 2009 draft pick Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles, 179th overall), taking on the Moncton Wildcats and No. 6-ranked Brandon Gormley in a Saturday afternoon contest beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

NHL Network U.S. will also carry Rogers Sportsnet’s championship preview show at 2:30 p.m. ET prior to the game on Sunday, May 23.

The MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament features a number of recent NHL draft picks and NHL Central Scouting ranked players, including:

Brandon Wheat Kings
Matt Calvert (CBJ – 127th overall in 2008)
Jacob DeSerres (PHI – 84th overall in 2008)
Scott Glennie (DAL – 8th overall in 2009)
Travis Hamonic (NYI – 53rd overall in 2008)
Toni Rajala (EDM – 101st overall in 209)
Colby Robak (FLA – 46th overall in 2008)
Brayden Schenn (LA – 5th overall in 2009)
Alexander Urbom (NJ – 73rd overall in 2009)
Michael Ferland (2010 eligible – ranked No. 146)
Mark Stone (2010 eligible – ranked No. 119)

Calgary Hitmen
Joel Broda (WSH – 144th overall in 2008)
Jimmy Bubnick (ATL – 155th overall in 2009)
Kris Foucault (MIN – 103rd overall in 2009)
Brandon Kozun (LA – 179th overall in 2009)
Ian Schultz (STL – 87th overall in 2008)
Tyler Shattock (STL – 108th overall in 2009)
Michael Stone (PHX – 69th overall in 2008)
Matt MacKenzie (2010 eligible – ranked No. 74)

Windsor Spitfires
Ryan Ellis (NSH – 11th overall in 2009)
Adam Henrique (NJ – 82nd overall in 2008)
Steven Johnston (DET – 181st overall in 2008)
Zack Kassian (BUF – 13th overall in 2009)
Dale Mitchell (TOR – 74th overall in 2007)
Greg Nemisz (CGY – 25th overall in 2008)
Kenny Ryan (TOR – 50th overall in 2009)
Scott Timmins (FLA – 165th overall in 2009)
Eric Wellwood (PHI – 172nd overall in 2009)
Harry Young (NJ – 202nd overall in 2008)
Taylor Hall (2010 eligible – ranked No. 2)
Cam Fowler (2010 eligible – ranked No. 5)
Phillipp Grubauer (2010 eligible – ranked No. 15 G)
Justin Shugg (2010 eligible – ranked No. 53)

Moncton Wildcats
Mark Barberio (TB – 152nd overall in 2008)
Gabriel Bourque (NSH – 132nd overall in 2009)
Randy Cameron (DET – 148th overall in 2007)
Nicolas Deschamps (ANA – 35th overall in 2009)
Nicola Riopel (PHI – 142nd overall in 2009)
David Savard (CBJ – 94th overall in 2009)
Kelsey Tessier (COL – 110th overall in 2008)
Brandon Gormley (2010 eligible – ranked No. 6)

2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup on NHL Network U.S. Schedule

Date Game Time (ET)
Friday, May 14 Preview Show 7:00 p.m.
Windsor Spitfires @ Brandon Wheat Kings 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 Calgary Hitmen @ QMJHL 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16 Brandon Wheat Kings @ QMJHL 3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 17 Calgary Hitmen @ Windsor Spitfires 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18 QMJHL @ Windsor Spitfires 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19 Brandon Wheat Kings @ Calgary Hitmen 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 20 Tiebreaker (if necessary) 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 21 Semifinal Game 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 23 Championship Pre-Game Show 2:30 p.m.
Championship Game 3:00 p.m.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)