The 2023 Stanley Cup Final got underway on Saturday evening, with the Vegas Golden Knights defeating the Florida Panthers by a score of 5-2 in Game 1 in Vegas.
Each team boasts an array of former OHL talent on their roster: the Golden Knights have four OHL graduates on their playoff roster, while the Panthers have 10.
The Florida Panthers’ playoff run this year has been one of the most memorable in the modern era of the NHL. Last season’s President’s Trophy winners snuck into the playoffs with just a game remaining in the regular season and have turned what seemed to be a lost season into an incredible Cinderella Story.
Former London Knight Matthew Tkachuk has been at the centre of everything for the Panthers, following up on a career-high 109-point regular season with 21 points in 16 postseason contests.
Tkachuk is an early favourite for the Conn Smythe Trophy: the scorer of the overtime winner in the 2016 Memorial Cup final has been nothing short of spectacular for Florida.
With the Panthers down 3-1 in Round One against the 135-point Boston Bruins, Tkachuk scored the overtime winner in Game 5 before assisting Carter Verhaeghe in the extra frame in Game 7.
After Florida bested the Maple Leafs in five games in the second round, he scored consecutive overtime winners in Games 1 and 2 against Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals. With seconds remaining in Game 4, Tkachuk scored perhaps the biggest goal of his career so far.
MATTHEW TKACHUK, ARE YOU KIDDING?! 😱😱😱
HE SCORES WITH 4 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION AND SENDS FLORIDA TO THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL! pic.twitter.com/Om5qu9d1T7
— NHL (@NHL) May 25, 2023
While the 25-year-old – along with netminder Sergei Bobrovsky – have no doubt led the way for the Panthers this postseason, the Eastern Conference champions’ success has come from their scoring depth.
Kingston Frontenacs alumnus Sam Bennett has a career-high 11 points in these playoffs, centring a line with Tkachuk and 29-year-old journeyman Nick Cousins.
Cousins, the former Soo Greyhound, solidified a spot in the Panthers’ top six this year, providing a relentless forechecking presence and playing some of the best hockey of his pro career.
2020 Stanley Cup champion Carter Verhaeghe trails only Tkachuk in points with 16. The former Niagara IceDogs captain scored a career-high 42 goals this campaign.
On the backend, former exceptional status recipient Aaron Ekblad has continued to develop into one of the best defensemen in the NHL in his ninth year in the league.
Looking to inject some veteran experience into the roster, GM Bill Zito signed both Eric and Marc Staal in the offseason.
Eric, 38, was drafted second overall in the 2003 NHL Draft from the Peterborough Petes and is a member of the triple-gold club, having won the Stanley Cup and a gold medal at both the Olympics and World Championship.
Marc, 36, was named OHL Playoffs MVP in 2007 as the Sudbury Wolves fell to the Plymouth Whalers. The Thunder Bay native is in pursuit of his first Stanley Cup ring in his 16th season in the NHL.
E STAAL WITH THE SHORTY ‼️ pic.twitter.com/xBH8argYC3
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 4, 2023
Returning to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since their inaugural season in the NHL in 2017-18, the Vegas Golden Knights have seen a significant overhaul in their roster in the five seasons since.
A big part of the remodel was acquiring 2019 Stanley Cup champion Alex Pietrangelo in free agency ahead of the 2020-21 season. The former St Louis Blues captain, who played for the Mississauga Steelheads, Niagara IceDogs, and Barrie Colts, stepped immediately into the number-one role on the Golden Knights blueline.
Acquiring Pietrangelo served as a huge statement of intent for Vegas and is still undoubtedly the highest-profile signing they have made in their history. However, the Golden Knights have been widely successful as an expansion team largely due to their ability to get the best out of players.
27-year-old forward Michael Amadio serves as a perfect example: arriving via waiver claim at the beginning of the season, he has enjoyed a career year with the Western Conference Champions. The North Bay Battalion legend has followed up a career-best 27 points in the regular season with 7 points through 12 playoff games.
With 223 games played for the Golden Knights, 2017 second-round pick Nicolas Hague has laced up the skates for Vegas more than any of their draft picks. The 2018 CHL Defenceman of the Year has continued to develop at an impressive rate in his third full season in the league, bringing his trademark size and cannon of a shot to the Golden Knights’ backline.
OHL GRADS IN THE 2023 STANLEY CUP FINAL
Florida Panthers (10)
Sam Bennett (Kingston Frontenacs, 2012-15)
Connor Bunnaman (Kitchener Rangers, 2014-18)
Nick Cousins (Soo Greyhounds, 2009-2013)
Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts, 2011-2014)
Mack Guzda (Owen Sound/Barrie, 2017-2022)
Givani Smith (Barrie/Guelph/Kitchener (2014-2018)
Eric Staal (Peterborough Petes, 2000-03)
Marc Staal (Sudbury Wolves, 2003-07)
Matthew Tkachuk (London Knights, 2015-16)
Carter Verhaeghe (Niagara IceDogs, 2011-2015)
Vegas Golden Knights (4)
Michael Amadio (Brampton/North Bay, 2012-2016)
Paul Cotter (London Knights, 2018-19)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads, 2015-18)
Alex Pietrangelo (Mississauga/Niagara/Barrie, 2006-10)
