Lidstrom Junior

He is a legend in their minds. 

Olli Maatta is missed by the London Knights

19 year-old Olli Maatta is still a presence in the London Knights dressing room. 

  Bo Horvat recalls Maatta getting a speeding ticket the first day that he drove his new car.  He shrugged it off and rolled with the good-natured ribbing. 

 Chris Tierney remembers ordering the same sub sandwich at the same location at the same time before each playoff game. He says Olli loved his routines.  

 Trainer Doug Stacey remembers Maatta as one of the hardest working players he's ever seen.  He suggested Maatta  avoid taking punishing hits but Olli refused.  "He wanted to show everybody he wouldn't back down," remembers Stacey.   "He acted like a professional from the day he walked in here."  

Maatta (L) Jarred Tinordi and Scott Harrington (R) formed a big three under Rob Ramage

  Josh Anderson remembers Maatta scoring a huge shorthanded goal in Kitchener that led the Knights to a comeback from a two goal deficit against the Rangers in a playoff game.  

Maatta (2) scores SH playoff goal vs. Kitchener 

  "He was a warrior for our hockey club," Knights GM Mark Hunter told Mike Stubbs of Newstalk 1290 CJBK.  "Look at what he did.  He played his way past 7 one-way contracts." (to make the Pittsburgh Penguins).

Flying first class to Memorial Cup in Shawinigan

In two years, with Olli Maatta often leading the team in minutes played, the London Knights were 8-0 in playoff series.  During those 32 playoff wins, Maatta often made a big play near the end of the game that turned the result in favour of the Knights.  He was plus 25 in his first season with London. He followed that with 23 points in 19 playoff games.  

The 2nd trip to the Memorial Cup was highlighted by Maatta's performance against the Plymouth Whalers.  The huge Whaler forwards pounded him at every turn.  Maatta would not be intimidated.  He kept moving the puck out of harms way and battling the likes of Tom Wilson in front of the net.  

Mark Hunter eyes a future without Maatta 

His last seconds as a Knight were spent in front of the Portland Winterhawks net frantically trying to get the tying goal in a 2-1 loss.  He was named the Knights player of the game.  He seemed destined to captain the team to another Memorial Cup.  The fact that he is not in the London lineup has required a psychological adjustment for his former teammates.  An adjustment that's not yet complete.  On the ice he was Lidstrom-dependable.   He also had an easy smile.  No one ever took Olli Maatta for granted.  Universally liked by coaches, teammates and fans, Maatta's loss will take some time to overcome.

Justin Sefton and Doug Stacey help Maatta off the ice vs. Plyoouth

Maatta and Nikita Zadorov celebrate OHL championship 

   

That's Hockey

Knights Anthony Stolarz (43) and Mike McCarron (24) wish Remi Elie the best 

 The London Knights didn't want to trade Remi Elie.  The Belleville Bulls didn't want to trade Brady Austin.  They were traded for each other.  That's hockey.
"The quick answer was no if 18 other teams were knocking on the door at this time (about Brady Austin)," said Belleville GM/Coach George Burnett before the Knights game against the Bulls.
  "You think he's been a pro for ten years," added Burnett. (Listen to entire interview here)
   Elie helped the Knights get to the Memorial Cup last season.  His work alongside Paxton Leroux and Kyle Platzer on an energy line was especially strong early in the playoffs.  He was so impressive, the Dallas Stars invested a 2nd round draft choice in him last June at the NHL draft.  
   Elie scored a goal against the Knights in the first period to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.  The Knights showed their depth at forward in the 2nd and 3rd periods - which is why they could afford to trade Remi Elie.   Need and opportunity met. The Knights get what they needed in a veteran defenseman with size. The Bulls get a forward who will score and return next year. 
   THE GAME - Matt and Ryan Rupert combined for seven scoring points in the 2nd period vs. the Bulls.  Ryan set up Matt for the first two Knights goals while Matt set up Ryan for a third.   Matt has taken over the Knights team scoring lead with 11 points. 
    Jake Patterson gave the Knights strong goaltending.  He made 43 saves against a Bulls team that didn't give up. 

Matt Rupert shot beats Belleville goalie Charlie Graham in 2nd period of 6-1 win

Knights Win Third Straight

Christian Dvorak scored two goals on the weekend for the Knights

 The London Knights responded to last weeks loss in Guelph with a 7-2 win over the Storm at Budweiser Gardens.  It was the first loss of the year for the Storm.   London unleashed another offensive weapon this weekend.  Christian Dvorak came alive in the third period against Windsor on Friday night.  He scored his first OHL goal and even got some penalty killing duties.  The 17 year-old from Chicago will start a serious climb on NHL scouting lists.  One scouting website had him as a late second round pick.  NHL Central Scouting did not have him ranked in the top players to watch for 2013-14.  Dvoraks first OHL goal was batted out of the air against the Spitfires.  His second showed his speed and skill as he carried the puck into the Guelph zone and swooped around the net and beat goalie Justin Nichols to the post. 
   Dvorak was 5 foot 6 and 146 pounds when he was drafted by the Knights in the spring of 2012.  He is now 6 foot 1 and hasn't lost his speed and skill.  

Bo Horvat wins faceoff against the Windsor Spitfires

Bo Horvat has returned to junior hockey to dominate.  He scored two goals in the first 7 minutes of the Knights biggest early season game against the Guelph Storm.  Horvat's return will most certainly result in some big offensive numbers.  He already has a keen sense of his defensive duties.  The 9th overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks will grow confidence in his offensive game that will certainly carry over into the pros.   

Knights celebrate Chris Tierney's 3rd period goal vs. Windsor 

Knights Fall to Storm, 6-3

Hunter Garlent scores on Jake Patterson 

The London Knights are certainly the consensus favourite in the OHL Western Conference in 2013-14.  Being ranked number one in Canada in the CHL ratings and Memorial Cup hosts has made them targets.  They wouldn't want it any other way.
 The Guelph Storm proved they are willing to stand in with the Knights.  The Storm defeated London 6-3 in Guelph to drop the Knights to 2-1.  The Storm got great goaltending from Justin Nichols, recently acquired from the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds.
The Storm have a talented group of forwards who have grown up together under coach Scott Walker.  They will score plenty of goals this year and show a chemistry that comes with a team that has grown up together.