Memorial Cup Hosting in 2017

The last time the Windsor Spitfires were competing for the Memorial Cup was also the last time a team has won back-to-back Memorial Cups, as they did in 2009 and 2010. Now, the Spitfires will be back in the Memorial Cup tournament next year, as they were tabbed as the host team for the annual tournament that spans the three Canadian leagues. As Memorial Cup hosts, the Spitfires know that they will want to put on the best show they can while trying to not mortgage their future.

As to who the Spitfires will be trotting out for next year, their lineup could potentially include Christian Fischer, Mikhail Sergachev, and Logan Brown, pending what the Arizona Coyotes plan to do with Fischer, as he was not drafted by the team while in major junior. Both Sergachev and Brown are draft eligible this year, and though both are expected to be in the top half of the first round, it is likely both will be in Windsor for the Memorial Cup run. Michael Dipietro is the presumptive starter in goal while Kyle Auger is a name to watch for, as he is draft eligible next season.

Given their moves of recent seasons, it stands to reason that the Spitfires have some assets to move to pick up key players during next season. However, they will have to make wise decisions, as unless you're the London Knights, bad moves could set the Spitfires back years.