FIRST STARRW MacKenzie Entwistle (Guelph)THE NUMBERS: 57 GP, 30 G, 27 A
Skating on Guelph's top line with Nick Suzuki (1st Round Pick, 2017) and Isaac Ratcliffe (2nd Round Pick, 2017), MacKenzie Entwistle has been a big part of the CHL's 2019 Cinderella story. The only Memorial Cup team that wasn't a No. 1 seed this season, Guelph overcame 3-0 and 3-1 deficits in the OHL playoffs before defeating an Ottawa team riding a 14-game winning streak into the OHL Final.
Entwistle racked up 21 points (7 G, 14 A) during the postseason and will look to avenge a Memorial Cup defeat with Hamilton last season. The Storm begin tournament play against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Saturday.
SECOND STARD Jake Ryczek (Halifax)THE NUMBERS: 51 GP, 9 G, 24 A
Jake Ryczek has a made a living this season as a puck-moving defenseman for the Mooseheads, chipping in 13 assists for the QMJHL runner-ups. As hosts of the 2019 Memorial Cup, Halifax qualified automatically for the tournament and will give Ryczek another chance to showcase his ability this month. The Blackhawks final pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Ryczek has looked like a player that could offer tremendous value as a 7th round selection. Halifax will begin Memorial Cup play on Friday against the WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders.
THIRD STARG Alexis Gravel (Halifax)THE NUMBERS: 49 GP, 2.49 GAA, .913 Save Pct.
Backstopping the Mooseheads this season, Alexis Gravel has looked like a big piece of the Blackhawks goalie pipeline throughout a strong QMJHL campaign. In his third season in Halifax, Gravel shaved nearly a full point off his goals allowed average, including several impressive performances throughout the 2019 QMJHL postseason. Competing against three league champions, the Mooseheads Memorial Cup hopes could very well come down to a few stand-on-his-head performances from the 19-year-old Gravel.
