Top 25 Players to Watch at the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup

With the Memorial Cup set to kick off tonight, I thought I would offer a small primer of my top 25 players to keep an eye on during the tournament.

This year's field is stacked with 4 extremely quality teams that have deep rosters and should prove to be one of the most competitive and entertaining tournaments in recent memory.

25 - Henrik Samuelson - Edmonton - Son of Ulf, Henrik has inherited the family sandpaper but is also a capable offensive weapon as well. Likely a 2nd round pick in June's NHL entry draft.
24 - Kirill Kabanov - Shawinigan - Slick offensive Russian can be a bit Jekyll and Hyde, but when he's on he can really take over a game.  He will be a major wildcard in this tournament.  Kabanov is a 3rd round choice of the New York Islanders.
23 - Max Domi - London - The son of legendary NHL tough guy, Tie Domi, Max Domi is a slick offensive dynamo with explosive scoring talent.  He is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2013.
22 - Morgan Ellis - Shawinigan - Versatile defender will need to be on top of his game.  He has come a long way in his Q career and will need to provide steady defending with some offensive contribution as well if the Cataractes are going to steal some wins.  He's a 4th round pick of Montreal.
21 - Travis Ewanyk - Edmonton - Ewanyk can really make a difference in a game with his strong two-way play.  He will be relied on to kill penalties, shut down top offensive opponents and create energy for the Oil Kings.  A 3rd round pick of the Oilers, he's a very unsung and underrated prospect.
20 - Tyler Maxwell - Edmonton - A smaller, speedier and opportunistic offensive forward, Maxwell can be easy to underestimate but finds open ice very well and is the kind of player you can't ignore.  His production is crucial to the Oil Kings attack.
19 - Scott Harrington - London - He has developped into a very reliable two-way defender.  He has some offensive upside but is most succesful in shutdown roles.  He is a very likeable player who does his job well and will be key to London's hopes in this tournament.  Harrington is a 2nd round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
18 - Mark Pysyk - Edmonton - Smooth skating defender who moves the puck well, Pysyk is the Oil Kings captain.  A 1st round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Pysyk is very good at strating transitional rushes and can skate with anyone.  He will need to be a factor for the Oil Kings in every game.
17 - Austin Watson - London - A 1st round pick of the Nashville predators, Watson is a big power forward who has a serious knack for showing up when the games have higher value.  His prowess in short term competitions should not be ignored.  With all their firepower, Watson could prove to be the most difficult Knight to contain in this setting.
16 - Seth Griffith - London - Undrafted diminutive playmaker always seems to find a way to get it done around the puck. He can set up, he can finish and he can start. Dangerous from a variety of areas around the ice, he can burn you a lot of ways.
15 - Nathan Beaulieu - Saint John - The offensive minded defender is relied on to launch a lot of the Sea Dog's transitional attacks and QB their PP. He's a 1st round selection of the Montreal Canadiens.
14 - Michael St. Croix - Edmonton - Talented offensive player will need to live up to his billing and will be the likely head of the Oil Kings attack. St. Croix is a 4th round pick of the New York Rangers.
13 - Vlad Namestnikov - London - A 1st round choice of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Namestnikov has been one of the best playmakers for London all playoffs long. His speed and quickness can really get opponents in a frenzy.
12 - Tomas Jurco - Saint John - Dazzling puckhandler with scorers touch, when he is on and moving he is extremely difficult to contain. Opponents need to limit his space around the net or they will pay. Jurco's talented mits are property of the Detroit Red Wings via their 2010 2nd round pick.
11 - Laurent Broissoit - Edmonton - One of the front runners to be Canada's starter for the next WJC, Broissoit could get a lot further in that bid with a solid performance on this stage. He is a 6th round pick of the Calgary Flames.
10 - Stanislav Galiev - Saint John - Speedy winger often takes a back seat to some of the other top tier talents on the Sea Dogs roster but Galiev has really put his stamp on this team so far during the playoffs and could again be a major factor in their offensive production. He is a 3rd round choice of the Washington Capitals.
9 - Michael Bournival - Shawinigan - Very skilled two-way centreman is going to have to be on top of his game as he will likely see major minutes against top opponents and if he can outmatch them, that could be key to the Cataractes chances. Bournival is a 3rd round pick of the Avalanche (EDIT: since traded to the Canadiens de Montreal).
8 - Griffin Reinhart - Edmonton - Big two-way defender can do a bit of everything and is a potential top 10 pick in this year's NHL entry draft.  He has the benefit of another week of top tier exposure going for him and should be a standout for the Oil Kings.
7 - Jarred Tinordi - London - Playing in the province of the team that drafted him (Montreal) in the 1st round could prove to be some added motivation for the Knights leader.  Tinordi is big, physical and mean.  An intimidating combination of skills that can really afford the Knights some dangerous transition attacks.
6 - Zack Phillips - Saint John - Phillips has had a tremendous season and continues to show very strong development.  He has great hands, sees the ice well and plays a reliable two-way style.  He is one of the most talented technical players in this event and is a 1st round pick of the Minnesota Wild.
5 - Jonathan Huberdeau - Saint John - He was dominant and electrifying in this event last year and is back and poised for a repeat performance.  He has the star power around him to afford him a little extra space here and there which could be the undoing of a lot of teams in this tournament.  Huberdeau is the 3rd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL draft and is expected to crack their roster next season.
4 - Charlie Coyle - Saint John - A 1st round selection of the San Jose Sharks whose rights were traded to Minnesota, Coyle has dominated the QMJHL since defecting from the US ranks.  The Sea Dogs have a ton of weapons but none have been firing as effectively as Coyle during the playoffs.
3 - Curtis Lazar - Edmonton - 2013 eligible playmaker led Oil Kings in WHL playoff scoring with 19 poitns in 20 games.  Will be counted on again to make an impact.  Ranks among the best forwards available in 2013.
2 - Olli Maatta - London - Perhaps a bit of a surprise this high on the list, Maatta has been lights out in the playoffs so far for the Knights.  Reliable two-way defender whose offensive intelligence has really shown in the playoffs.  A likely 1st round pick in this year's draft, his stock continues to sore and will explode if he keeps it up in this tournament.
1 - Brandon Gormley - Shawinigan - The 1st round selection of the Phoenix Coyotes is steady and intelligent.  Host Shawinigan is a major underdog but they do boast Gormley who can really make a difference for a team.  The Coyotes look like they could use him right about now.


Honorable mentions: Jonathan Racine (SHA), Micheal Chaput (SHA), Yannick Veilleux (SHA), Alex Dubeau (SHA), Mitch Moroz (EDM), Stephane Legault (EDM), Martin Gernat (EDM), Charles-Olivier Roussell (SJSD), Mathieu Corbeil (SJSD), Ryan and Matt Rupert (LDN), Andreas Athanasiou (LDN), Greg McKegg (LDN), Jared Knigth (LDN), Michael Houser (LDN)


This tournament will be almost too close to predict, but where's the fun in that!  Saint John has to be the favorite having one it last year and with most of their core players returning for a second run.  London looks to be the deepest and most versatile team which gives them a real shot at beating anyone.  Edmonton is versatile, deep and gritty and have some unheralded game breakers as well as a solid defensive corps and should produce the most competitive games with every team.  Shawinigan lacks the firepower but they do have some reliable and intelligent players that are capable of frustrating opponents and outthinking them on the ice.

My prediction: Saint John defeats London in the final game.  London just barely gets there in a barn burner with the Oil Kings and Shawinigan puts up a great effort but just can't match the depth or offensive talent of the three league champions.

Should be a great tournament, can't wait for the puck drop tonight!