Blake Ellis/The Independent

He would have liked the ‘W’ but Evan Van Gorp was happy to be home.

He and the London Knights were in Watford Saturday for an OHL exhibition game against Erie – a fundraiser for the
Alvinston arena floor renovations.

“It is great to play in front of them, unfortunately we weren’t able to get the win,” said Van Gorp, as he signed autographs for fans along with the rest of the team at the East Lambton Community Complex.

The 20-year-old Watford product is heading into his fourth season with the Knights. The left winger had a solid season last year, putting up 12 goals and 27 assists in the regular season and adding one goal and two assists in the playoffs.

“We have a lot of young players, “ said Van Gorp, as he described the roster at the Watford game taking on the Otters.
“But it says a lot about the group, being able to battle back.”

The Erie Otters were ahead for the entire game and had built up a 4-1 lead by the end of the second.

The Knights pushed hard in the third, making it a one goal game, but the score was 5-4 Erie as the final buzzer sounded.

There was a sold out crowd of 800 at the Watford arena with fans also being able to watch the game in the Lambton Mutual Gymnasium.

Jill Joris, marketing officer for Brooke-Alvinston and the arena floor fundraising campaign, wasn’t able to say exactly how many people were at the watch party but said the support from the fans and community was “incredible.”

The municipality has raised about $450,000 of its $1 million goal for the project.

This is the second year in a row, Van Gorp made an appearance in Watford, having brought the Memorial Cup to his hometown during Cornfest in 2025, after the Knights captured the national championship in the 2024-25 season.