The Windsor Spitfires are Memorial Cup champions for the third time in franchise history.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Graham Knott scored the game-tying goal as Windsor beat the Erie Otters 4-3 on Sunday for the Canadian Hockey League championship. Windsor also won in 2009 and 2010.
The Spitfires are the 10th host team to hoist the Memorial Cup since 1983 and first since Shawinigan in 2012.
VIDEO by @FreedomMobile: Once again, the Spits fall behind, but not for long, thanks to Graham Knott’s 3rd of the tournament. pic.twitter.com/llcKyapvr1
— Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) May 29, 2017
#Blackhawks prospect Graham Knott lifts the Memorial Cup, drops a “fock yeah boys!” He’ll fit right in. #Spitfires #MCMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/c2Ruwk2RDo
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) May 29, 2017
Knott, a 2015 second-round draft pick by Chicago, joined Windsor in November via a trade with Niagara. The 20-year-old left winger scored had 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 59 regular-season games between Niagara and Windsor. The 6-foot-4, 194 pounder added four points, including two goals, during the postseason.
Fellow Blackhawks prospect, Alex DeBrincat, the CHL player of the year and Red Tilson winner as the OHL’s player of the year, had an assist for Erie in the loss.
DeBrincat, a 2016 second-round pick, had three consecutive seasons with 100 points and 50 goals with Erie. The 19-year-old led the league with 65 goals, 62 assists and 127 points in 63 regular-season games. The undersized DeBrincat — listed at 5-7, 170 pounds — piled on 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 23 postseason contests.
Chicago signed Knott to a three-year entry-level deal before the season and DeBrincat also inked a three-year contract in April.