Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv will be participating in the 2024 Memorial Cup.
Vegas Golden Knights prospect Matyas Sapovaliv will be participating in the 2024 Memorial Cup.
Sapovaliv will be playing in the Memorial Cup because his team, the Saginaw Spirit, are the hosts. The Spirit lost to the London Knights in the semi-finals of the OHL playoffs. The three other teams participating are the Knights (OHL champions), the Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL champions) and the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL champions). The Memorial Cup is set to begin on Friday at 4:30 p.m. PT when the Spirit take on the Warriors.
Sapovaliv will be competing in his first Memorial Cup after another successful season in the OHL. The 20-year-old centre has spent all three seasons of his junior career with the Spirit, scoring 64 goals and 170 points in 183 games. He recently finished this past season with 19 goals and 62 points in just 54 games.
The Spirit have a star-studded roster filled with the likes of Owen Beck, Hunter Haight, Jorian Donovan, Josh Bloom, Joseph Willis and Rodwin Dionicio, all of which are NHL-drafted prospects. The Spirit are also headlined by Michael Misa and Zayn Parekh. Misa is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NHL draft and Parekh could find himself drafted in the top 10 in this year's draft after recording 33 goals and 96 points as a defenseman.
The Czech native was drafted in the second round, 48th overall by the Golden Knights in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He's an excellent playmaker with a solid two-way game. He may not be the most prolific scoring prospect the Golden Knights have, but his all-around game and work ethic combined with his 6'4 frame, makes him an intriguing prospect.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vegas Golden Knights site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.