QMJHL Memorial Cup teams have P.E.I. connections
The two teams that will represent the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que., have been determined.
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And there's Prince Edward Island representation with both teams.
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The Moncton Wildcats, coached by Bedeque's Gardiner MacDougall, are now guaranteed a spot in the Canadian major junior hockey championship tournament from May 23 to June 1. MacDougall's son, Taylor MacDougall, who grew up in Fredericton, is the Wildcats' general manager.
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The Rimouski Oceanic won the other semifinal in double overtime of Game 7 versus the Shawinigan Cataractes on May 6.
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With Rimouski guaranteed a berth as the host team, the Wildcats will represent the QMJHL in the four-team tournament also featuring the champions of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL).
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Defenceman Luke Coughlin of East Royalty, P.E.I., is in his fourth season with the Oceanic. Coughlin was drafted in the sixth round, 191st overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Coughlin recorded a goal and two assists in the Oceanic's first eight playoff games before suffering an injury in Game 4 of the second round against Chicoutimi on April 16. Coughlin has not played since then.
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League final
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But before the Memorial Cup, the Wildcats and Oceanic will meet to determine who gets to hoist the Gilles Courteau Trophy as QMJHL champions.
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The first two games in the best-of-seven series take place at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, N.B., on May 10 at 5 p.m., and May 11 at 7 p.m. TSN will televise the final series and the Memorial Cup.
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The Wildcats, who finished first overall in the regular season, with 108 points in 64 games on the strength of a 53-9-2-0 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) record, have a 12-1 playoff record. Moncton has outscored its opposition 53-32 in the post-season.
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The Oceanic is 12-3-2 in the playoffs while outscoring their opponents 65-35. Rimouski (46-14-2-2) finished second overall in the regular season overall standings with 96 points.
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