Windsor did it.
They won their third Memorial Cup in the past nine years. Three in nine years.
Other teams talk of bare draft pick cupboards, rebuilding and patience. The Spits get it done. And don't forget, this is a club that had two first and second round picks taken away for recruiting violations.
A few observations from the RR.
First, the Spits owe a big thank you to the Rangers. There were few elite options - if any - left when the Spits added Jeremy Bracco for a pedestrian price at the OHL trade deadline. A rumoured Logan Stanley deal in the off-season might help remedy the deal but Kitchener's package sure seemed light considering how desperate the Spits were to add a skilled player.
Bracco led the Spits in scoring, shots, plus minus and power play points during the Memorial Cup. His addition reminds me of the London-Oshawa deals that sent Dakota Mermis and Mike McCarron to the Gens during their Mem Cup winning season. Yes it was a team effort but like that deal, Bracco really helped put Windsor over the top.
Second, the Spits are taking some flak for winning the tournament.
I can see both sides. On one hand, it doesn't seem fair that Windsor didn't have to plow through tough league opponents en route to the Cup. They didn't get beat up along the way and were fresh when the tourney started after a long layoff. Being rewarded for losing their first OHL playoff series seems backwards.
On the other hand, Windsor didn't create the Memorial Cup format. They just followed the rules already in place. And they DID beat every league champ and Erie twice to claim victory. And that's pretty impressive.
So what does this mean for Kitchener?
Some fans think a rebuild is in order. Trade Adam Mascherin, Connor Hall and Connor Bunnaman now and go for it later. The problem there is that means at least three more years of waiting. And we're already in year five of the rebuild plan.
There might be a nice window next season.
The conference looks less competitive. Kitchener is returning most of its roster which, as we've seen in the past, usually means a good year ahead. And, with the right additions, the team may just surprise. Favourites they're not, but failing to try with guys like Mascherin, Bunnaman and Hall on the roster could be an opportunity lost.
In the meantime, here are a few shots of the Cup connections - Bracco, Waterloo native Logan Stanley and the CHL's winning team. (photos taken by the OHL's Aaron Bell)