London Knights celebrate OHL Championship with hundreds of fans at Budweiser Gardens
There was no place London Knights fans would rather be on a sunny day than indoors celebrating with their favourite hockey club.
After winning the J Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions on the road in Oshawa, Ont., the Knights returned home to celebrate with hundreds of people at Budweiser Gardens.
They carried the trophy around the floor of the arena, showing it off to the fans in the stands, and even allowing some of them to touch the cup.
“It's exciting, and a real opportunity for the fans,” said Sav Neth, president of the London Knights fan club. “The fan base in London are the best fans in the country. To have a thousand people come on a long weekend. You also saw on stage how the players interact with the fans.”
Sav Neth, president of the London Knights fan club, riles up the crowd at Budweiser Gardens on Saturday May 18, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)Neth was honoured to present the Knights fan favourite award to defenceman Sam Dickinson.
“It is cool, and everyone on stage said they are the best fans in junior hockey,” said Dickinson.
“For them to think I’m the fan favorite, it was fun out there today.”
Knights co-owner and General Manager Mark Hunter referred to the fans as “their sixth player” on the ice, and credited them for helping them win the championship.
London Knights Head Coach Dale Hunter addressed the hundreds of fans at Budweiser Gardens on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)“You push, you prod, you cheer, it’s something special when you play for the London Knights,” Hunter told the crowd.
The Knights presented a number of team awards, including Sam O’Reilly as Rookie of the Year, Oliver Bonk recognized as top defenceman, and Easton Cowan taking home the team MVP.
Dale Hunter (left), head coach of the London Knights, presents the team MVP award to Easton Cowan at Budweiser Gardens on Saturday, May 18, 2024. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm. Florida orders evacuations
Hurricane Milton strengthens into a Category 5 storm off Mexico and threatens Florida, forecasters say.
'Selfish billionaire': Chip Wilson's mansion vandalized after political sign erected outside
Days after a political sign was erected outside Chip Wilson's Vancouver mansion, the waterfront property has been vandalized with graffiti.
BREAKING
BREAKING Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother and a Grammy-winning singer, dies at 91
Cissy Houston, the mother of the late Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, and Aretha Franklin, has died. She was 91.
Two people injured in apparent road rage incident, shooting in Toronto
Two people are in hospital after they were chased and shot at in what appears to be an act of road rage before eventually flipping their car while trying to escape, police say.
Canadian soldier wins compensation for cancer linked to burn pits after Veterans Affairs denied claim
A Canadian soldier who was exposed to toxic chemicals from burn pits while serving in Afghanistan has been awarded full medical compensation for testicular cancer after Veterans Affairs initially denied his claim.
Sammy Basso, longest living survivor of rare rapid-aging disease progeria, dies at 28
Sammy Basso, who was the longest living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has died at the age of 28, the Italian Progeria Association said on Sunday.
A Canadian woman was recently diagnosed with scurvy. Here are the factors tied to the disease
Scurvy is not just an archaic diagnosis of 18th-century seafarers and doctors should watch for possible cases, according to researchers following a recent case.
Canadian leaders, demonstrators hold events on anniversary of Oct. 7 attack
Ceremonies, events and protests are being held across Canada today to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
