Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 5)

[MatthewsMoustache]

Reid Valade will join ex-Ranger Justin MacPherson at Saint Mary’s University in 2023-24 per an inside source.

Not sure when the official announcement will be.

Fan favourite, great player and great kid. Had all the tools coming in but never seemed to find that next gear.

 

[bobber]

I don’t want to wait til the main camp. He’s a FA. We wait around long enough, another team will sign him. Anyone know if he skated at other camps?

I believe Florian skated at multiple camps. Many FA’s do.

Even as fans we are at the mercy of the GM and scouts. The signed players get first crack at open positions or positions they opened after moving players out. I was hoping Florian was signed by the Rangers but the powers that be had visions of grandeur going into the season. He had a couple of scraps in the rookie camp. They probably looked at him as trouble in their wisdom and let him go to greener pastures. Sandpaper is an important element but we haven't seen much of that in KW with the exception of a couple of players.

 

[EvenSteven]

Sandpaper is an important element but we haven't seen much of that in KW with the exception of a couple of players.

Look no further than the Florida Panthers for an example of the benefits of sandpaper.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I know very little about the source, but Leone dramatically boosted Green Bay’s work ethic and improved the culture.

 

[EvenSteven]

Interesting.

Jeremy Morin is a player development coach on that team.

 

[bobber]

Interesting.

Jeremy Morin is a player development coach on that team.

Was hoping for more experience. Sounds like another Mike McKenzie and the Rangers already have one of those.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Before you get too concerned bobber, read this article.

Here's why Gamblers coach Mike Leone took a risk on changing organization's mindset

 

[EvenSteven]

Before you get too concerned bobber, read this article.

Here's why Gamblers coach Mike Leone took a risk on changing organization's mindset

Nice article!

That’s reason to be optimistic if this guy is our man.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Nice article!

That’s reason to be optimistic if this guy is our man.

I felt the same way Even.

I always put the caveat in that I don't have any verification about the rumour, but it comes from a spot that typically has some substance. I'd suggest it at least means he has interviewed.

And based on the article, it sounds like exactly what they need. Fix the culture and establish hard work and accountability. The on-ice results follow.

 

[OHLFAN2001]

Reid Valade will join ex-Ranger Justin MacPherson at Saint Mary’s University in 2023-24 per an inside source.

Not sure when the official announcement will be.

Fan favourite, great player and great kid. Had all the tools coming in but never seemed to find that next gear.

Great player. 2 30 goal seasons. It's tough to get to the next level for sure

 

[K2]

He’s a FA. We wait around long enough, another team will sign him. Anyone know if he skated at other camps

I didn't see his name on any rosters though most teams run Spring camps as more of an orientation exercise than we do so FAs are not in abundance elsewhere. If MM liked him, Hlacar had a good exit interview and an invite to main camp where a good showing lands him here IMO. We signed Xhekaj in late August and Yantsis in January (?) which is the norm for FA ... except DeBrincat

That’s reason to be optimistic if this guy is our man.

Young American guy with a (good) season of HC/GM experience and a few years of assisting here and there. Isn't my first thought of who we'd be seeking after getting burned last time out but maybe; he surely 'ticks some boxes' for MM I can't help but wonder if someone just has a sniff of a permission to interview request...? Time will tell, it would be nice to have our new HC onboarding asap.

 

[rangersblues]

Not to put a damper on things but the Rangers have been through a lot of HCs and GMs over the past 30+ years and only one was given the autonomy to change the culture. Which is why I'd prefer a big name coach.

I hope I'm wrong but I'll believe it when I see it, whoever the new coach is.

 

[EvenSteven]

Not to put a damper on things but the Rangers have been through a lot of HCs and GMs over the past 30+ years and only one was given the autonomy to change the culture. Which is why I'd prefer a big name coach.

I hope I'm wrong but I'll believe it when I see it, whoever the new coach is.

The guy you are talking about was given the keys to hockey ops entirely. As long as McKenzie is in the GM’s role, if the next PD is available, unless MM is willing to hand over much more than coaching duties, I doubt he will hire him.

 

[bobber]

Just my lowly opinion but I feel if the Rangers cannot find a head coach and staff that can compete year in and out with the Hunters they will keep spinning their wheels. That is if fans are looking at successful regular seasons every year. Hunter has won over 900 games. Fairly sure the fans at the Aud wouldn't mind seeing a run like that in the future.

 

[EvenSteven]

Just my lowly opinion but I feel if the Rangers cannot find a head coach and staff that can compete year in and out with the Hunters they will keep spinning their wheels. That is if fans are looking at successful regular seasons every year. Hunter has won over 900 games. Fairly sure the fans at the Aud wouldn't mind seeing a run like that in the future.

The Hunters own the team and they’ll be there as long as they want to be.

For us to have a coach around anywhere close to their tenure, you’d be looking at a Brian Kilrea example. When’s the last time we saw an example of that in the modern CHL? Hiring a guy who’s content to stay at this level for an extended period of time is asking a lot.

Without looking it up, the longest tenured coaches here have been DeBoer, Spott and MacDonnell. These are the exceptions.

We have to hire the best available and if he’s so good he graduates early, then it is what it is.

We just have to hire the next best guy. And so on.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

To get a "big name" there has to be a big name to get, and I'd wager the big names in Junior circles are names that would not meet the criteria of "big name" for most here. This looks like it would be a really good move if true imo. You have to wait to see, but you'd also have to wait and see with whatever big name people would apparently be satisfied with.

No one is taking this team and overnight turning them into a team of the calibre the Hunters built for years and then maintained for many more.

 

[GeoBlue]

Nice article!

That’s reason to be optimistic if this guy is our man.

Is anyone else concerned about a coach that just got hired in April and now might be bailing to come to Kitchener? I hope it is not a pattern.

 

[EvenSteven]

Is anyone else concerned about a coach that just got hired in April and now might be bailing to come to Kitchener? I hope it is not a pattern.

Any coach we sign would likely sign a three year deal with an “out” clause to take a promotion to the pros.

I wonder if Leone signed for just one year there? If he’s signed past this year, I’d assume USHL teams would consider taking an OHL job a sideways move and thus may stand in the way of him coming here if he’s still under contract going forward.

 

[EvenSteven]

To get a "big name" there has to be a big name to get, and I'd wager the big names in Junior circles are names that would not meet the criteria of "big name" for most here. This looks like it would be a really good move if true imo. You have to wait to see, but you'd also have to wait and see with whatever big name people would apparently be satisfied with.

No one is taking this team and overnight turning them into a team of the calibre the Hunters built for years and then maintained for many more.

True. I doubt there’s a handful of “Peter DeBoers” out there waiting to be offered the head coaching job here. If there was, no doubt MM would hire one - especially after the Dennis experiment.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I do like the fact that part of his team culture meant that players work hard, never quit, and rarely take a day off. Wouldn't that be refreshing?

If he's so solid with the Gamblers, why the rumour at all?.......

More...... Gamblers name Mike Leone as new head coach/general manager - Green Bay Gamblers Hockey

 

[bobber]

I know I fell off the turnip truck on my way into town and my point about the Hunters might be over stated because they own the team. Different animal than the Old Boy Club Rangers . Still maintain the Rangers have to be able to compete at the same level with the Knights regardless of who they go with for head coach in the future. I read the article Tim posted and found it interest in the fact the coach came in and changed the culture of the team. Not sure that would be allowed to happen here in KW. The culture here is ingrained and MM did say the new coach has to be able fit in with the powers that be or something along that line. I think the future looks bright with the recently signed players. This is just part of the puzzle but after the Dennis mystery and the 8th place finish last season I am skeptical. Fans were left in the dark with Dennis until he started coaching. Myself I won't get to excited about any new coach until we see if the new guy can actually step in and be allowed to change the "culture". As fans we can only hope.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

And IF Leone is the next HC........appealing to Longacre or LJ Mooney?

I still have nightmares of another CD. But this guy's not a video coach...and has assistant coached both the U17 and U18 U.S. national teams.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Just a note for those wondering why he’d jump ship after a year. The CHL is still considered an upgrade on the USHL for now and the average estimated pay for a head coach is approximately 25-40% higher in the CHL. Add in that Kitchener is a prominent market, making both the pay and prestige factor even higher and you have your answer.

 

[bobber]

Quote for MM article on search for a new coach. "The right person will be able to jibe with the Rangers’ front office and hockey "culture", but also be well equipped to coach youngsters".

“OHL experience would be great, but I think understanding teenage kids and how they are now is important,” said McKenzie. “I think working with junior-aged players and having that background of doing so is definitely something we’re looking for.”

 

[rangersblues]

Quote for MM article on search for a new coach. "The right person will be able to jibe with the Rangers’ front office and hockey "culture", but also be well equipped to coach youngsters".

“OHL experience would be great, but I think understanding teenage kids and how they are now is important,” said McKenzie. “I think working with junior-aged players and having that background of doing so is definitely something we’re looking for.”

And to me that sounds like the same old song and dance.