Road to the cup: 2 Newfoundlanders vying for Canadian junior hockey's top prize

Two Newfoundland-born hockey players are headed for the Memorial Cup, where they'll square off against Canadian Hockey League's top junior teams.

Goalie Riley Mercer of Bay Roberts and defenceman Matteo Rotondo of St. John's won the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — championship with the Drummondville Voltigeurs last week.

In the final game of the best-of-seven series, Mercer stopped 23 shots and Rotondi scored his first goal of the post-season.  

Now the Voltigeurs are headed for Saginaw, Mich., to compete against the CHL's best junior teams from all three leagues including the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League and the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League in the annual Memorial Cup tournament that crowns a national champion. The Saginaw Spirit won the right to host this year's tournament last season. 

Star goalie

Mercer secured back-to-back shutouts to start the championship series. 

He said that while it's unusual to post back-to-back goose eggs at the start of the series, the team was playing well. 

"With the way I was playing, and the way the team was playing in front of me, I think everything good was bound to happen," he said. 

But despite the pressure, Mercer is looking forward to playing against the best players in the CHL.

"With every challenge is an opportunity, so I think it will be a lot of fun," he said. 

Much needed break

The team has a 10-day break after winning the QMJHL championship on May 14. The Memorial Cup tournament starts Friday and the Voltigeurs have their first game on Saturday against London.

Rotondi said the break between games is much needed. 

"We're doing everything to keep our bodies at 100 per cent, and I think everyone's feeling good," he said.

Rotondi said the team is focusing on themselves and not the teams they haven't seen all year. 

"We're just focusing on our game and how we play, and if we focus on that then I know me and our team will do really good up there," he said.

Support from home 

The duo has received an outpouring of support from friends and family back in Newfoundland.

In Mercer's dad's hometown of Upper Island Cove, they put a picture of him on the town sign. 

Rotondi said he has received a lot of support from friends and family in St. John's who have reached out to wish him luck.

"It's just special to know everyone back home is watching and supporting," said Mercer. 

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