Four OHL graduates are Stanley Cup champions, having their names etched on the trophy as members of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights defeated the Florida Panthers 9-3 on Tuesday night, where Nicolas Hague and Michael Amadio each scored, and Alex Pietrangelo added an assist as Vegas claimed the championship on home ice in five games.
NICOLAS HAGUE IS A STANLEY CUP CHAMPION! 🤩 Congratulations to the Steelheads former alternate captain, who scored in tonight’s game 🎉 pic.twitter.com/qYodsFNCTf
— Mississauga Steelheads (@OHLSteelheads) June 14, 2023
Of the 4 OHL graduates crowned Stanley Cup champions Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads) was the only player who suited up in all 22 games of the Knights’ playoff run. Hague had a decorated OHL career in Missisauga where he claimed the Bobby Smith trophy in 2016 and the Max Kaminsky trophy in 2018.
For the former IceDog/Colt, the championship was the second for Alex Pietrangelo, who captained the St. Louis Blues to the championship in 2019. Teammate Jonathan Marchessault earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL Playoff MVP.
Amadio becomes the second Brampton/North Bay Battalion alumnus to win the Stanley Cup, following in the footsteps of Barclay Goodrow who won the trophy in 2020 and 21 as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Congratulations to 67’s alumnus Bruce Cassidy, #StanleyCup champion! pic.twitter.com/13M8Bbz1gU
— Ottawa 67’s (@Ottawa67sHockey) June 14, 2023
On the hockey operations side the Golden Knights were led by Ottawa 67’s graduate and former Kingston Frontenacs head coach Bruce Cassidy, who lifted the cup for the first time 364 days after he was announced as the new bench boss in Las Vegas.
Former Oshawa Generals defenceman John Stevens won his third Stanley Cup championship as an assistant on Cassidy’s staff after serving as an assistant coach on the 2012 and 2014 Los Angeles Kings.
Goaltender Coach Sean Burke played for two seasons with the Toronto Marlboros, and made a strong impact on the 2023 Golden Knights identifying eventual Stanley Cup-winning starting netminder Adin Hill as an acquisition.
The Championship title is Vegas’ first in their six-year franchise history.
OHL Graduates and 2023 Stanley Cup Champions:
Michael Amadio (Brampton/North Bay Battalion, 2012-16)
Paul Cotter (London Knights, 2018-19)
Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads, 2015-18)
Alex Pietrangelo (Mississauga/Niagara/Barrie, 2006-10)
Hockey Operations Staff:
Head Coach – Bruce Cassidy (Ottawa 67’s, 1982-85, Kingston Frontenacs, 2006-08)
Assistant Coach – John Stevens (Oshawa Generals, 1983-86)
Goaltending Coach – Sean Burke (Toronto Marlboros, 1984-86)
Director, Amateur Scouting – Scott Luce (Guelph Platers/Sudbury Wolves, 1986-88)
Manager of Goaltending Development and Scouting –Mike Rosati (Hamilton/Niagara, 1986-89, Barrie Colts, 2010-17)
Amateur Scout –Kent Hawley (Ottawa 67’s, 1985-88, Plymouth Whalers, 2001-05)
For more on Vegas’ Stanley Cup victory, visit nhl.com.
