The London Knights enjoy a day off before facing Drummondville on Saturday

The London Knights enjoyed a day off in Saginaw, Mich., with a light skate and some media duties before returning to Frankenmuth, where they are staying Friday.

They will begin the Memorial Cup tournament on Saturday afternoon against Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) champion Drummondville.

“We’re pretty excited,” Knights forward Denver Barkey said. “The whole presentation (parade) yesterday was pretty great. Just seeing the Memorial Cup there gave us a boost.”

London will enter an unknown against Drummondville.

“Usually we know these kids from their prep and watching them in midget, but these (kids) are totally different,” Knights head coach Dale Hunter said. “We showed some film on each player and you know their tendencies. They swept their series, so we’ll have to be ready to go.”

Drummondville defeated Baie-Comeau in four straight games to win the QMJHL title.

London fans will see a “highly competitive team”, according to the Voltigeurs head coach.

London Knights goalkeeper Michael Simpson, seen in Sagniaw, Michigan on May 24, 2024, is playing in his second consecutive Memorial Cup tournament. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

“We are excited to play in London from the start,” said Sylvain Favreau. “We understand that they are definitely favorites to win this tournament. We are excited to compete against them on Saturday.”

Drummondville goalie Riley Mercer said the coaches have studied film of London, but he prefers to focus on his own game.

“I stay away from even personal or other men’s statistics,” Mercer said. “I just keep practicing the timing and focusing on what I’m doing on the ice. I don’t look at the other teams.”

While Mercer prefers to avoid knowing much about his opponent, London goalkeeper Michael Simpson wants to do his homework.

“We did a little bit of video to see who their good players are, and being a goaltender, you want to know who their shooters are and who can make plays,” Simpson said.

The Memorial Cup trophy sits at center ice at the Dow Events Center in Saginaw, Michigan on May 24, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)

Since the Ontario Hockey League is hosting this tournament this year, the Knights will see a bit of an advantage. They will not have to play consecutive games during the round.

“If those games go to overtime or past regulation, it’s nice to have those days off in between,” Simpson explained. “You can practice, watch videos, and it’s great to have those days off in between.”

Knights forward Landon Sim, who attended Memorial Cup tournaments as a fan, is about to live his dream playing in one.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Sim said. “I just want to be out there on the ice with the fans. I watch the Mem (Memorial) Cup every year, so just to be here it’s like, ‘Holy shit, we’re here,’” he said.

London Knights head coach Dale Hunter watches practice from the bench in Saginaw, Michigan on May 24, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)