CREDIT: TERRY WILSON
As the Knights prepare for another season, they hope to have acquired enough talent to secure their spot as Memorial Cup Champions.

Coming off a victorious season as the 2016 Memorial Cup Champions, the London Knights made use of their off season to help rebuild their team, as some of their superstars may find themselves playing for an NHL team this upcoming 2016-2017 season.

Leafs’ prospect Mitch Marner, who was recently named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year, may very well earn himself a roster spot this upcoming NHL season. As a player who dominated the OHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs will put his skill to the test during training camp, which begins on Sept. 16. During a news conference, Leafs’ head coach Mike Babcock expressed confidence in Marner securing a roster spot with the Toronto unit.

“I sure think he has a good chance. Mitch has been working with our guys and training really hard…he’ll have a real good chance to make the Leafs.”

As well, Knights’ starting center Christian Dvorak, who led the team in goals and points during the regular season, might also find himself playing in the NHL this upcoming season, being a second round draft pick to the Arizona Coyotes. Additionally, players such as Max Jones, Tyler Parsons and Cliff Pu have all sparked the interest of teams such as Calgary, Anaheim and Buffalo. With so many gifted athletes, the Knights may find themselves losing some of their best talent to NHL teams looking to help mentor the young Knights players.

With so much talent to offer, the London Knights have spent the summer preparing for the inevitable by acquiring some new skaters to join the home team.

On June 9, the Knights’ general manager, Basil McRae, proudly announced the addition of Cole Tymkin to their team, acquiring him in the fifth round of the 2015 OHL Draft. Tymkin previously played his 2015-2016 season with Fort Frances Lakers in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Tymkin, who averaged about a point per game with the Lakers, was also named the All-Canadian CCM Rookie of the Year.

Also joining the London Knights this season is Sudbury local and second round draft pick Billy Moskal. Moskal played the majority of the 2015-2016 season in the Great North Midget League (GNML) for the Sudbury Wolves, registering 36 points in 23 games.

Another notable addition to the London Knights wearing #72 this season is left winger and Carolina Hurricanes draft pick, Janne Kuokkanen of Finland. Kuokkanen was selected as the Knights’ first round drat pick as his stats reflect his inevitable potential in the OHL. Playing for the Jr. A SM-Liiga in Finland, the six foot one inch forward proved to be of great value to the Knights, as he finished second in team for scoring in Finland, registering 22 goals and 53 points over 47 games. Additionally, Kuokkanen was a vital member of the Finnish team, averaging a point per game to help the team win gold at the U18 World Championships.

Furthermore, the Knights’ management team has worked out a trade agreement with the Flint Firebirds acquiring right-winger Jack Roslovic in exchange for conditional draft picks involving the Sarnia Sting, the Mississauga Steelheads and the Kingston Frontenacs. The Knights have also traded away defenseman Aiden Jamieson to the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for a second and third round pick in the 2017 draft. The Knights have also decided to pick up free agent Josh Nelson from the Chicago Fury U18 Tier 1 Elite Hockey League.

With a lot of talented new players joining the London team, and pre-season just around the corner, the Knights look forward to getting back on the ice and defending their title as Memorial Cup Champions.