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Austin Elliott, a Strathmore-based hockey goalie, helped the London Knights win the Memorial Cup.
On June 1, the Knights defeated the Oshawa Generals 4-1, marking the third time that the London team had become champions in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
"My family has owned a ranch just south of Strathmore since I was born," said Elliott. "I moved from Calgary to Strathmore in 2016, and I've called the town home for the last ten years."
Elliott began playing hockey at a young age, playing with the Notre Dame Hounds between 2018 and 2021. In the 2021-22 season, Elliott joined the WHL, playing four seasons with the Saskatoon Blades.
"It was really cool. Growing up in this area, I always looked up to the Calgary Hitmen and wanted to make it to that level someday," added Elliott. "It was definitely really cool to finally make it there."
The 2024-25 season was Elliott's only year with the London Knights. Throughout the 55 games he played, the Knights achieved victory in 52 of them.
"It was a pretty good year for me."
Elliott said it was hard to describe the feelings of winning the Memorial Cup.
"I never imagined I would do that. It's a crazy feeling, and it'll be a special memory for a long time."
Elliott has since returned to Strathmore and is planning to spend the 2025-26 season playing for UMass-Lowell in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This will be Elliott's first time playing for an American team.