The Calder Cup Final is set to get underway this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. between the Toronto Marlies and the Texas Stars.
The Marlies, who are the affiliate team of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, finished first in the American Hockey League standings during the 2017-2018 regular season, with a record of 54 wins, 18 losses, 2 overtime losses and 2 shootout losses, good for 112 points.
Former Soo Greyhounds bench boss Sheldon Keefe, who was named head coach of the Toronto Marlies three years ago, helped lead the Marlies to a franchise best 54 win and 114 point season in 2015-2016.
During the 2017-2018 regular season, Keefe and the Marlies hit 54 wins for the just the second time in team history, and just the second in three seasons, both under head coach Sheldon Keefe.
Here’s another interesting fact for you!
Back in the 2014-2015 regular season as head coach of the Soo Greyhounds, Keefe helped guide the club to a 54 win season, and since then, has had two 54 win seasons as an AHL head coach.
I guess you can say 54 is a lucky number for Keefe!
The Marlies also have five other members on their club who came out of the Soo Greyhounds organization, including AJ MacLean (assistant coach), Richard Rotenberg (director of conditioning), Kyle Dubas (general manager), defenceman Alex Gudbranson and forward Jean Dupuy.
The Marlies will be looking to capture their first ever Calder Cup title while the Texas Stars will try to win it for the first time since 2014.
The Texas Stars, not to mention, are the affiliate team of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, but have no former Soo Greyhounds part of that organization.
The Stars finished 12th in the American Hockey League’s 30 team loop during the 2017-2018 regular season, with a record of 38 wins, 24 losses, 8 overtime losses and 6 shootout losses, good for 90 points.
So with another 54 win regular season in the books for Keefe, will he and the Marlies finally be rewarded for it?
