When the Erie Otters won the J. Ross Robertson Trophy earlier this week, they won the right to represent the OHL at this year’s 99th Memorial Cup, taking place in Windsor, Ontario. With that, Lightning fans will have to split their allegiance as Anthony Cirelli and Taylor Raddysh combat Bokondji Imama and Mathieu Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs in the tournament.
The four Lightning prospects aren’t just participating in the Memorial Cup, they have had a significant impact on the CHL playoffs. After everything settled at the trade deadline, many proclaimed Erie the odds-on favorite to win it all this season, but Saint John has looked like an absolute juggernaut through the QMJHL playoffs and come into the Memorial Cup hotter than anyone.