The former Cents win Memorial Cup

The former North Bay Centennials franchise had its biggest night on Sunday as it captured the Memorial Cup. 

In the dying seconds of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow, Josh Bloom, a former North Bay Battalion forward, scored a historic goal for the Saginaw Spirit, tallying the game-winner with 22 seconds left to spare to help the Spirit defeat the London Knights 4-3 in the championship final. The victory provided Saginaw with their first-ever Memorial Cup title in franchise history, occurring in what was their first-ever appearance at the event.

In addition to registering the game-winning goal, Bloom (1G-2A) led the Spirit in scoring during Sunday’s championship final, while his teammate Owen Beck (2G) recorded a game-high two goals. Having collected five points and co-led the tournament with four goals, Owen Beck was the recipient of the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the MVP of the 2024 Memorial Cup.

Having both jumped up to a 3-0 lead and held the London Knights to six shots through two periods, Saginaw appeared to be in the driver's seat, before the Knights stormed back to knot things up at three. Thanks to goals from Kasper Halttunen (1G), Easton Cowan (1G-2A), and Sam Dickinson (1G-1A), the Knights rallied from behind to give themselves a chance late in the game, before Bloom dashed that opportunity with his late goal.

North Bay Connections 

The Spirit had multiple North Bay connections as Alex Christopoulos, the twin brother of Paul Christopoulos and Nic Sima also joined Bloom as a trio of former North Bay players on the winning roster. Spirit backup goaltender Kaleb Papineau also has ties to North Bay as he played with the U16 AAA Trappers during his OHL draft year before the Spirit plucked him in the 12th round of the 2022 OHL entry draft. 

John McLellan, senior manager of marketing and business development with the North Bay Battalion, was at Sunday's final.  

He worked a similar role with the Centennials, including in 1994 when the Centennials franchise won the OHL championship. 

"North Bay Battalion fans are everywhere," McLellan said.  

"Nice to run into season ticket holders Drew and Andy Poeta here at the Memorial Cup in Saginaw." 

The North Bay Centennials franchise was sold to Saginaw automotive entrepreneur Richard Garber in 2002.  

Although it has been more than 20 years since that move, some Battalion fans still feel connected to the Saginaw franchise. 

"Feels like a piece of North Bay won as well," said Battalion fan Jen Chatelain on the North Bay Battalion Fan Club Facebook page. 

"Considering Saginaw is the former North Bay centennials team. Josh Bloom former North Bay battalion scored the winning goal with 21 seconds remaining and Alex Christopoulos and Nic Sima, a big part of the organization as well. Lots of local ties to the champs! Congratulations Saginaw (North Bay) massive win." 

By winning the 2024 Memorial Cup, the Saginaw Spirit became just the third American club to win the CHL’s championship event and the first to do so in 16 years. They are also just the second team since 1972 to both host a Memorial Cup and win the title in what was their first-ever appearance at the CHL’s championship event — following in the footsteps of the 2005 London Knights.

See the story behind the move from North Bay to Saginaw in this short documentary aired on RinkratTV in 2002.