The Oshawa Generals defeated Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters four games to one to advance out of the Ontario Hockey League into the 2015 Memorial Cup Championship. Although the Devils do not have a prospect playing for the Generals, they do have a connection to the team in the form of 18 year-old backup goaltender Jeremy Brodeur, son of all-time Devils and NHL great, Martin.
Oshawa will kick off their portion of the round robin tournament on Saturday, May 23 at 4:30 PM against Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion, the Rimouski Oceanic. They will then face host Quebec Remparts on Sunday, May 24 at 4:30 PM and the champions of the Western Hockey League, the Kelowna Rockets, on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:30 PM. All games will be played at the Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City. The 2015 Memorial Cup champions will be crowned on Sunday, May 31 in the Championship Final.
The Generals advanced to the Memorial Cup by defeating the Peterborough Petes and the Niagara IceDogs each four games to one and the North Bay Battalion four games to two in the OHL Playoffs before finally toppling the Otters in the OHL Championship series.
Jeremy Brodeur, one of Marty’s five kids and one of two of his kids to follow in his footsteps as a goaltender, made 19 appearances for the Generals this year, his first as a Junior. He had 46 goals against in 1,098 minutes played and 407 saves for a 2.51 goals against average. His save percentage was 0.898 and he went 12-4 with 2 overtime losses and no shootout losses or ties. He had three shutouts.
In the playoffs, he has appeared in seventeen minutes over two games with one goal against and one save. He has a 3.53 goals against average and a .500 save percentage. He has no decisions in the playoffs, making only relief appearances.
The native of Essex Fells, New Jersey is one of two players from the Garden State on the Generals roster, 20 year-old defenseman Chris Carlisle is a native of Fort Lee.
As the Oshawa Generals get ready to compete for the highest prize in Canadian Major Junior hockey, the Devils and the state of New Jersey will both be going along for the ride, if not literally, than at least in spirit.