Big Changes for the Champs

Just a couple of weeks after winning the Memorial Cup, the Shawinigan Cataractes have blown up the roster having dealt 5 players including overtime hero Anton Zlobin.

Three separate deals on QMJHL draft day saw Shawinigan move Zlobin, goalie Alex Dubeau, defencemen Justin Haché and Jonathan Racine plus forward Yannick Veilleux. 

CHL Weapons of Mass Destruction

It won't surprise anyone that with three league champions and a host team that scored nearly 100 goals more than it allowed, there's going to be a lot of fire power on display in Shawinigan. And while goaltending can steal a victory and it's said that "defence wins championships", I've never seen a team claim a title without scoring goals.

London, Shawinigan, Edmonton and Saint John have a lot of weapons at their disposal but which forwards should fans expect to see lead their team to success? 

2012 Eligibles in the Memorial Cup

The 2012 Mastercard Memorial Cup begins on Friday night and while it is definitely about crowning a national champion, the tournament is also the last on ice chance some players have to showcase themselves before the NHL Draft. 

Three teams have players of note that scouts will still be keying on to see how they perform on the CHL's biggest stage. 

Here's a look at the guys ranked by NHL Central Scouting and International Scouting Services.

Matheson Addresses CHL Rumors

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First it was Boston University's Charlie Coyle leaving for Saint John. Then it was Cam Reid leaving St. Cloud for Portland. Recent collegiate defections to the CHL have some people on edge and ready to believe any small suggestion that might point to another seemingly NCAA-bound player choosing his other option and heading to major junior.

The Moncton Wildcats traded impact defenceman Brandon Gormley to the Memorial Cup host Shawinigan Cataractes last week, before the QMJHL deadline, and got a pretty good return. 6 draft picks, including a 1st in the 2013 CHL Import draft, and the rights to defenceman Michael Matheson.

Yes, the same Michael Matheson who is eligible for the 2012 NHL draft this June and has been one of the players blogging for The Pipeline Show this year from his current home with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL.

So will the defenceman leave the Fighting Saints and report to Moncton? More after the jump...

Shawinigan Gets 2012 Memorial Cup

Most people, including us thought Saint John was a shoe in to host the 2012 Mastercard Memorial Cup, but to paraphrase an old cliche, that's why they have a bidding process.

It seems that Shawinigan outplayed the Sea Dogs and in the end were chosen by an independent selection committee to host the CHL's grand finale.

The Cataractes finished 7th overall in the Q this year and after beating PEI in 5 games they are now facing Quebec in round 2.

Meanwhile Baie-Comeau won the QMJHL draft lottery, stealing the first overall pick from last place Rouyn-Noranda. Now we'll wait to see if Rimouski makes a play for the first overall pick as the Oceanic have been hungry to get Nathan McKinnon.