On Monday night, the 2021 Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning will begin with eight GTHL alumni eyeing hockey’s biggest prize.
Returning to the Finals for the first time since 1993, the Canadiens’ roster features five GTHL alumni. Forwards Tyler Toffoli and Jake Evans, along with defenceman Ben Chiarot represent the GTHL on the ice, while Assistant General Manager Scott Mellanby and Director of Goaltending Sean Burke are representatives within the team’s Hockey Operations.
Entering the Stanley Cup Final as defending champions, the Lightning feature three GTHL alumni in Anthony Cirelli, Mitchell Stevens, and Gemel Smith.
No stranger to being a Canadien, Toffoli, a Toronto Jr. Canadiens graduate, has been a pillar for Montreal’s offensive production in the 2021 Playoffs posting 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 17 games played thus far. Looking back to Toffoli’s last season in the GTHL, the Scarborough native recorded 174 points (68 goals, 106 assists) in 83 games, only to follow it up with six goals and 14 points through seven games in the 2008 OHL Cup. When the puck drops on the 2021 Final on Monday night, Toffoli will be on the hunt for his second Stanley Cup following the Los Angeles Kings win in 2014.
“Was I born to be a Hab? Nah, probably not.
But am I meant to be one?
You’re damn right I am.” —Tyler Toffoli #GoHabsGo https://t.co/MrtvVZCNXX
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) June 8, 2021
Evans, a seventh round pick of the Canadiens in the 2014 NHL Draft, is a Mississauga Rebels graduate where in his final season in 2011-12, the Toronto native registered 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists) in 77 games. Prior to being sidelined with an injury suffered in the second round of the playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets, Evans had posted one goal in four games played.
Chiarot is a graduate of the Mississauga IceDogs that saw the defenceman notch 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 75 games played in his final season. In the 2007 OHL Cup, Chiarot had five points (two goals, three assists) in seven games. Now an NHL veteran and former fourth round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, Chiarot has his sights set on winning his first Stanley Cup.
Off the ice, Canadiens’ Assistant General Manager Scott Mellanby spent time with both the Mississauga Reps and the Don Mills Flyers, where in his final GTHL season, posted 118 points (66 goals, 52 assists) in 72 games in 1982-83. Mellanby spent time in the NCAA with the University of Wisconsin before enjoying a long NHL playing career with the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, and the Atlanta Thrashers. Mellanby held captain honours twice in his career, first with the Panthers followed by his tenure with the Thrashers. Mellanby has been a member of the Canadiens’ Hockey Operations team since 2012 as Director of Player Personnel. The Montreal, Quebec native, who has been the team’s Assistant General Manager since 2014, made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice as a player but has never won hockey’s most sought after prize.
Burke, the Canadiens’ Director of Goaltending, ties back to the GTHL through time spent with Toronto St. Michael’s. After a long NHL playing career spending time with the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Los Angeles Kings, Burke has a reputable resume when it comes to being part of a team’s brass. After holding a variety of roles with the Phoenix and Arizona Coyotes through 2007 to 2016, Burke joined the Canadiens as a Scout in 2016. The former NHL goaltender, who was recently promoted during the Canadiens’ 2020-21 season, came as close as just one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals in 1988, but lost in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.
In blue, Cirelli has been a rising and constant staple for the Bolts since arriving on the scene during the 2017-18 season. Representing the Mississauga Reps where the Etobicoke native recorded 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in his final GTHL season in 2013-14, has posted 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 games through the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Cirelli will be looking to add a second Stanley Cup to an already full resume including CHL Memorial Cup Champion (2015), OHL Champion (2014-15 and 2016-17), World Junior Championship Silver Medalist (2017), and World Championship Silver Medalist (2019).
Anthony Cirelli (@acirelli22) on the break, adds to the @TBLightning‘s lead. ✌️ #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: https://t.co/VHrpwO4fF3 @NHLonNBCSports
🇨🇦: https://t.co/ds29j1fBH2 @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/txKvdr5NKi— NHL (@NHL) June 24, 2021
Stevens, the former captain of the Toronto Marlboros in 2012-13, is in just his second season with the Lightning. Still contributing a goal through seven playoff games, the 2015 second round selection of Tampa Bay closed out his minor hockey career with 84 points (44 goals, 40 assists) in 58 games. At the 2013 OHL Cup, Stevens posted a point-per-game with seven points (four goals, three assists). In just his second season, Stevens will be looking to go two-for-two in the Stanley Cup Final to add to his list of GTHL U14 Champion (2010-11), GTHL U15 Champion (2011-12), GTHL U16 Champion (2012-13), Hlinka Memorial Gold Medalist (2015), World U18 Bronze Medal, and World Junior Silver Medalist.
Smith, originally selected in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars, signed as a free agent with the Lightning in July 2019. As one of eight players called up to the Lightning for their training camp prior to the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Smith will be eyeing his second championship ring versus the Canadiens. The Toronto native played for the North York Rangers with his last season in 2009-10, compiling 82 points (31 goals, 51 assists).
2021 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE:
Game 1: Monday, June 28, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning
Game 2: Wednesday, June 30, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning
Game 3: Friday, July 2, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens
Game 4: Monday, July 5, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens
Game 5: Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning*
Game 6: Friday, July 9, 8 p.m., Lightning at Canadiens*
Game 7: Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m., Canadiens at Lightning*
GTHL ALUMNI:
Montreal Canadiens (5):
- Tyler Toffoli (Toronto Jr. Canadiens)
- Jake Evans (Mississauga Rebels)
- Ben Chiarot (Mississauga IceDogs)
- Scott Mellanby, Assistant General Manager (Don Mills Flyers)
- Sean Burke, Director of Goaltending (Toronto St. Michael’s)
Tampa Bay Lightning (2):
- Anthony Cirelli (Mississauga Reps)
- Mitchell Stevens (Toronto Marlboros)
- Gemel Smith (North York Rangers)
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