Kamloops Minor Hockey Products to play in Memorial Cup Final

Photo Credit: Medicine Hat Tigers/CHL

Two players with deep connections to Kamloops are helping drive the Medicine Hat Tigers toward a Memorial Cup championship. Matt Ward, a Kamloops Minor Hockey product, and Tanner Molendyk, a Thompson Blazers alumnus who continues to train in Kamloops during the offseason, have both played important roles in the Tigers’ 2025 Memorial Cup run.

In the semifinal against the London Knights, Ward broke a 1–1 tie early in the third period, scoring the go-ahead goal that shifted the momentum for Medicine Hat. The Tigers added an empty-netter to secure a 3–1 win and punch their ticket to Sunday’s Memorial Cup Final.

Ward has been a steady contributor throughout his WHL career. After being drafted 14th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in 2019, he was later acquired by the Tigers and posted 44 points in 64 regular-season games this year, along with 12 points in the playoffs. Following the Memorial Cup, Ward is committed to continue his hockey career at Northern Michigan University.

Molendyk, originally from McBride, spent key development years in Kamloops, playing for the Thompson Blazers. A first-round NHL Draft pick in 2023 to the Nashville Predators, Molendyk was also a member of Team Canada at the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship. Now in his first season with Medicine Hat, he’s become a crucial part of their Memorial Cup push.

With Ward and Molendyk helping lead the way, the Tigers are set to battle for junior hockey’s top prize on Sunday — and Kamloops can take pride in having a hand in their journey.