Sharks prospects Sam Dickinson and Kasper Halttunen helped the London Knights win the Memorial Cup last night. The Knights beat Gavin Mckenna and Medicine Hat 4-1 to capture the Memorial Cup a year after falling to Saginaw in the Finals.
Dickinson played a significant role in the win, posting three assists in the final game, and was electric the entire run, posting 31 points in 17 games for the Knights as a defenseman. This type of performance should get Sharks fans excited for next season, as Dickinson has clearly outgrown the OHL.
Dickinson is not eligible to play in the AHL next season, so his only options are to return to London or play with the Sharks. While it is uncommon for a defender at just 19 to play in the NHL, Dickinson has little to gain from playing another year against junior competition. Dickinson has the physical tools to survive in the NHL, and while there will undoubtedly be growing pains, the Sharks will give him every chance to succeed and stick in the NHL they can. And he certainly has the talent to thrive next season and make an impact on a Sharks defense that requires dire help in the future.
Kasper Halttunen was held scoreless in the championship game, but he was a big reason for London’s success getting to that point. Halttunen was a lethal goal scorer throughout their run and had 15 goals in just 17 games throughout the OHL Playoffs and two goals in the Memorial Cup.
Halttunen will continue his development for the Barracuda next season as he begins his pro career with the Sharks.
It's a promising sign for the Sharks that two of their top prospects are performing at a high level in big moments for one of the best organizations in junior hockey for the Knights, who have routinely developed future NHL players over their history. It will be interesting to see where they are at the next training camp, as both will be challenged to prove they are ready for the NHL.