For the first time since 2007, the Medicine Hat Tigers are Memorial Cup-bound. While Medicine Hat has a stacked team full of talent, the 2025 Memorial Cup will be filled with powerhouse teams who have had very impressive playoff runs of their own. One of those teams is the Rimouski Océanic, who will be hosting this year's tournament. 

The Océanic had an impressive 2024-25 season. Rimouski fought all the way to the QMJHL Final, eventually falling in six games to the Moncton Wildcats. Despite having an automatic berth in the tournament, they kept fighting until the very end and showed why they are going to be a challenge during the Memorial Cup. 

Knowing that they were Memorial Cup-bound, the Océanic did everything they could to build a roster that could compete for a championship. They acquired Vegas Golden Knights prospect Mathieu Cataford before the season started, while bringing in Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko at the deadline. With 12 players recording at least 10 points in the post-season, it is safe to say that Rimouski did a good job of building out their squad for a long playoff run. 

One of the main reasons why the Océanic are in this position is the play of goaltender Mathis Langevin. In 18 post-season games, the 18-year-old recorded three shutouts while posting a save percentage of .944. If he can stay hot, the Medicine Hat Tigers, as well as the rest of the field, could be skating away frustrated on a nightly basis. 

Rimouski's special teams will also be a problem for the opposition during the Memorial Cup. In the post-season, the Océanic had a 24.7 power play, while their penalty kill finished with an 83.3 kill rate. Staying disciplined will be key when facing Rimouski, as they can make the opposition pay when given opportunities on the man advantage. 

While the Océanic didn't capture a league championship, they should not be overlooked heading into this tournament. They will have the fans behind them, and are virtually unbeatable when playing at the Colisée Financière Sun Life a fortress. Ultimately, the Tigers will have their hands full on May 23, as they will need to face this QMJHL powerhouse in the tournament opener. 

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