The Kitchener Rangers captured their third Memorial Cup championship on Sunday, defeating the Western Hockey League champion Everett Silvertips 6-2 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Ontario Hockey League franchise completed a dominant tournament run, outscoring opponents 20-6 over four games.
Sam O'Reilly Shines as Tournament MVP
Sam O'Reilly, a native of Toronto and tournament MVP, scored one goal and added three assists in the final. The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, originally a first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, was traded to Kitchener in January. O'Reilly also won regular season MVP, league playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup MVP, joining Brad Richards, Corey Perry, and Mitch Marner as the only players to achieve that trifecta.
"I've been really fortunate with the teams I've been a part of and the coaches I've been able to learn from," O'Reilly told TSN after the game. "I wouldn't be here without my good buddies and the coaches I've had."
This marks O'Reilly's second consecutive Memorial Cup title, as he helped the London Knights win in 2025. He and teammate Jared Woolley were traded to Kitchener in a blockbuster deal that sent defenceman Jacob Xu and 10 draft picks to London.
Game Highlights
Jack Pridham also scored and added two assists for the Rangers. Dylan Edwards, Luke Ellinas, Christian Humphreys, and Jared Woolley contributed goals. Carter Bear and Matias Vanhanen scored for the Silvertips, who entered the tournament as the Canadian Hockey League's top-ranked team. Christian Kirsch made 30 saves for Kitchener, while Anders Miller stopped 26 shots for Everett.
The Rangers finished the round-robin with a 3-0 record, defeating Everett, the host Kelowna Rockets, and the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League champion Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The Silvertips, making their first Memorial Cup appearance, beat Kelowna once and Chicoutimi twice to reach the final.
Kitchener previously won the Memorial Cup in 1982 and 2003. The Rangers' victory caps a memorable season for the franchise and its fans.
