Coyotes Prospects Set to Compete at Memorial Cup

GLENDALE --The Memorial Cup tournament is being staged for the 100th time this year, and two Coyotes prospects have been invited to the historic party.
Forwards MacKenzie Entwistle and Tyler Steenbergen will compete for their clubs at the annual four-team, round-robin event that pits Canada's three junior hockey league champions and a host city.
"The experiences these young players are about to have are going to be great for their development," said Coyotes Assistant General Manager Steve Sullivan, who also plays a key role in player development. "Win or lose, they will be experiences these guys will never forget and will be able to bring with them to the next level."

Entwistle, whom Arizona drafted 69th overall in 2017, plays for the Hamilton Bulldogs, who won the Ontario Hockey League championship. Steenbergen, whom Arizona drafted 128th overall in 2017, plays for the Swift Current Bronocs, who won the Western Hockey League championship. The two players became acquainted at the Coyotes prospect development camp last June and again at rookie camp in September.
The Acadie-Bathurst Titan, who won the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title, and the host Regina Pats (WHL) round out the Memorial Cup field. The tournament starts Friday.
Entwistle plays center for Hamilton and is thriving in the playoffs at both ends of the ice. He's notched 17 points in 21 playoff games, including 10 goals.
"He's progressed very well this season and he's continued to develop," Sullivan said. "He's a big-time player. Some of the goals he scored during their run to the Memorial Cup were huge goals. He's been a real difference maker. Plus, he's also been on the ice a lot versus the other team's top line in a shutdown role. He's impacting the game in a lot of different areas."

Entwistle, 18, is thrilled to be playing in the Memorial Cup.
"Everyone in our locker room is excited for this opportunity,'" Entwistle said. "We've dreamed of this for our whole lives ... It's a huge accomplishment for us to make it to this tournament. We've beaten a ton of great teams in the OHL and we've proven to everyone that we're the best team in the OHL."
Despite a shoulder injury and a hand injury that limited him to 49 games in the regular season, Entwistle set career-highs in goals (13), assists (25) and points (38). He was also +16 after being -14 just two seasons ago.
"This season ranks, for sure, No. 1 in my career," Entwistle said. "I've been playing hockey since I've been a little guy and I'm not going to forget this moment. It's a great group of guys in the locker room, and they're like brothers to me, and this organization is world-class. From the GM to all of the staff and the trainers and the coaches and the players, it's been one heck of a ride, and I hope we can bring the Memorial Cup back (to Hamilton)."

Entwistle is sharing the experience with long-time linemate and pal Matthew Strome, the younger brother of Coyotes forward Dylan Strome.
"Me and 'Stromer' go way back," Entwistle said of Matthew. "We're best friends and it's great to play with him. I know exactly where he's going to be on the ice. He's a very easy player to play with."
Steenbergen, 20, is looking to add a third championship to his resume for 2018. In January, he scored the title-clinching goal for Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. In the WHL playoffs, he notched 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 26 games to help Swift Current win the league title.
"Swift Current has been really hard to stop in the playoffs, and Tyler has played a huge role in that success," Sullivan said. "We're really excited when our young players get to play meaningful games and Tyler Steenbergen can't play any more meaningful games than he has in the past few months, and there's more coming up in the next week or so. This will be crucial and very beneficial for him."

Playing on Swift Current's top line, Steenbergen produced 47 goals and 55 assists in 56 regular-season games to average an eye-popping two points per game. He credits his coaches and teammates for his success.
"They've been grooming me into the player that I am today," Steenbergen said. "It was definitely an exciting year for myself. Hopefully, I can keep that success going in Regina."
Swift Current needed to play 26 playoff games to win the WHL crown. That's five more playoff games than Hamilton played and six more than Acadie-Bathurst. Regina played just seven playoff games.
"We defend first and we like to play physical and we've got a bigger team so I think we were able to wear down some teams in those long playoff series," Steenbergen said. "I think that's contributed big time to our success."
He added: "This is a huge accomplishment for our team. We worked out a ton throughout the year to get ready for this; we did bag skates after practice. Everyone on our team is in really good shape so I think we'll be ready to go in Regina and be running at full force."

Entwistle and Steenbergen will get to square off when Hamilton plays Swift Current on Monday, and perhaps later if the teams advance. Fans can watch that game on NHL Network at 5 p.m. (Arizona time). Sullivan plans to be at the Brandt Centre to watch the prospects in person.
"We're thrilled to have two of our players taking part in this tournament," Sullivan said. "To help get their teams to this point, it just shows the character and leadership qualities and skills that these players have."

2018 Memorial Cup Schedule:
Friday, May 18: Hamilton vs. Regina
Saturday, May 19: Swift Current vs. Acadie-Bathurst
Sunday, May 20: Regina vs. Acadie-Bathurst
Monday, May 21: Swift Current vs. Hamilton
Tuesday, May 22: Acadie-Bathurst vs. Hamilton
Wednesday, May 23: Regina vs. Swift Current
Thursday, May 24: Tie-Breaker (if necessary)
Friday May 25: Semi-Final
Sunday May 27: Championship