Players to keep an eye on at Memorial Cup

Some of the world’s best junior hockey talent will be on display at the May 19-28 Memorial Cup in Windsor. Here are four players to watch in the battle for Canadian Hockey League supremacy:

GABRIEL VILARDI, Windsor Spitfires

Vilardi, from Kingston, Ont., is considered the top prospect at the tournament and could crack the top five at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft in June. The 17-yearold forward ended the OHL season ranked No. 4 on Central Scouting’s list of North American skaters. Despite missing quarter of the season with an injury, the six-foot-three 200-pound centre led Windsor in scoring with 29 goals and 61 points in 49 games. He added two goals and six points in a seven-game first-round loss to the London Knights in the playoffs.

JOEY VELENO, Saint John Sea Dogs

In 2015, Veleno became the first player to be granted exceptional player status in the QMJHL. He’s just the third forward to be given permission to play in the CHL at 15 years old after John Tavares and Connor McDavid. Veleno, 17, isn’t eligible for the NHL Entry Draft until 2018. The six-foot-one 190pound centre has had the luxury of playing on a Saint John team with experience and depth up front in his first two seasons and hasn’t had to carry the weight of his title. A breakout tournament would, however, do him some good as many teammates will be moving on while he’ll be back next season with an increased role.

THOMAS CHABOT, Saint John Sea Dogs

The 20-year-old Chabot has already had an impressive season, but will try to take it a step further with his appearance at the Memorial Cup. Chabot, Ottawa’s first-round pick, 18th overall, in 2015, was named world juniors MVP in January for his work with Team Canada, earned QMJHL defenceman of the year in April, and added playoff MVP in May after leading the Sea Dogs to the league title.

CARL STANKOWSKI, Seattle Thunderbirds

The 17-year-old Stankowski wasn’t expected to do much in his rookie season as he was seen as Seattle’s goalie of the future, but he found himself leading the way come playoff time. Seattle starter Rylan Toth went down with an injury late in the regular season and Stankowski filled in admirably despite only five career WHL starts to his name prior to the first round. Stankowski went 16-4 in the postseason with a 2.50 goals-against average and .911 save percentage, leading the Thunderbirds to their first league title.