Blake Ellis/The Independent

The line didn’t stop as kids and adults alike clamoured to get London Knight Forward Evan Van Gorp’s autograph, get a picture with the Memorial Cup or simply wish him well and tell him of proud they are of him.

Van Gorp, 19, brought the Memorial Cup to Watford’s Cornfest on Saturday.

“It’s a very special moment…I grew up here and I went to Cornfest every year when I was younger.” 

The second year London Knight was surprised how many came out to see him. 

“I’m just happy that I can do this for the kids of Watford. I hope it means a lot to them.”

It is special for him to bring the Memorial Cup to Watford, he said, because the community has done so much for him, playing in the East Lambton Minor Hockey program and developing him into the hockey player he is today. 

Van Gorp is coming off a season where he scored 19 goals, had 22 assists for 41 points in 64 games. In his rookie season with the Knights, he put up six goals and six assists for 12 points. 

In both seasons, the Knights made appearances in the Memorial Cup tournament. London came up short in the 2024 final, losing 4-3 against the Saginaw Spirit. 

“Losing the first year was a heartbreak,” said Van Gorp. “We thought we were going to win but we couldn’t get it done that last game.” The loss fuelled the Knights to the Memorial Cup win this year. 

Van Gorp called his London Knight teammates “an unreal group of guys” and he couldn’t be happier to share the Memorial Cup win with them.

Van Gorp is excited to go back for a third season with the Knights for another year. He has committed to play for the University of Maine in the 2027-28 season. 

One other highlight this summer for Van Gorp was to throw out the first pitch in the Tanner Redick Memorial Tournament in Alvinston. 

“It was pretty special for them to honour me like that, and to do the first pitch, it was pretty cool.”