Medicine Hat Tigers celebrating a 2020 Memorial eCup victory in NHL 21 on Thursday (Photo courtesy of Canadian Hockey League / Twitch)

By Scott Roblin

CHL Memorial eCup

Tigers’ Svejkovsky crowned inaugural Memorial eCup champion

Dec 18, 2020 | 9:57 AM

TSAWWASSEN, B.C. – For the third time in franchise history the Medicine Hat Tigers can call themselves Canadian Hockey League champions, albeit virtual ones.

Tigers forward Lukas Svejkovsky proved to be tops in Canada on Thursday night, sweeping Saint John Sea Dogs winger Riley Bezeau 10-0, 4-1 to capture the inaugural Memorial eCup championship.

Svejkovsky proved to be an NHL 21 wizard throughout the tournament, running the table to a perfect 8-0 record in the 64-team bracket to stand alone at the top.

Speaking on the Canadian Hockey League’s Twitch stream following his big victory, Svejkovsky said getting to virtually hoist the trophy on Thursday night was an enjoyable conclusion to the event.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'March for Meals' dedicates month to delivering meals for Medicine Hat seniors

9h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Mustard Seed closes Medicine Hat daytime centre permanently

Mar 01, 2025

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Mustard Seed closing daytime services permanently after today

Feb 28, 2025

“It was a really fun thing that you guys put together,” said Svejkovsky. “I was just happy to be a part of it and obviously winning is nice as well.”

Leaning on teammates Cole Sillinger and Mads Søgaard offensively and between the pipes, the American winger was able to outscore his opponents 43-11 over those eight games.

Svejkovsky credits a lot of that success to training with Vancouver Giants defenceman and former Tiger Trevor Longo, who helped him warm up his controller ahead of games.

“We played against each other throughout the tournament,” said Svejkovsky. “He was a big help for me for sure, he’s a good competitor just playing with him a couple games before one of these games.”

The Medicine Hat community will benefit from Svejkovsky’s big win as well, as he has received a pair of $1,000 donations from the CHL and the tournament’s title sponsor Kia.

Svejkovsky has chosen to donate the money back to a pair of local charities in the Medicine Hat Santa Claus Fund and the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.

“It feels really good,” said Svejkovsky. “They’ve done so much for us obviously and just being able to give a little bit back helps.”

The Tigers are among 22 teams waiting on a start to the 2020-21 WHL season after the league indefinitely delayed it’s start date earlier this week.