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

[bobber]

look at the kids going, lots of local connections. its good pr to have local kids at camp

looking at their roster, how many kids have made if from those 80 men camps? over the last 5/10 years the only name i remember may be riley coome?

OHL4Life what do you know about Brayden Besner the player Rangers took first in the Under 18 draft ? Seems to have some decent stats going by the information posted. Most of these kids seem to disappear after this draft from what we have seen here in Kitchener. They must have some sort of flaw in their games that is noticeable not to be drafted originally?

 

[OHL4Life]

OHL4Life what do you know about Brayden Besner the player Rangers took first in the Under 18 draft ? Seems to have some decent stats going by the information posted. Most of these kids seem to disappear after this draft from what we have seen here in Kitchener. They must have some sort of flaw in their games that is noticeable not to be drafted originally?

nope, dont really know anything about u18 kids. i assume 1/2 will be average to good ohl players, he may be one of them, but odds are against it.

 

[Purple Phart]

I remember being at Lions Arena many moons ago when Crozier was coach. They had a huge camp there. He was actually bringing groups of players out into the lobby and letting them know they were being cut.
I can imagine it is a difficult to run a camp with a large group of players attending. London must do it for some reason. This is why I asked over on that thread. Successful franchise doing something right.

I believe that the Knights run big camps with the objective of giving guys the opportunity to show why they warrant a second look. Years back, I recall Kevin Raine showing his will to play a physical game against players who'd already made the team. That was impressive enough to get an invite to the main camp, and ultimately won a spot on the team.

It's a process, much like threshing grain. The chafe gets discarded, and the valuable kernels are kept. A bigger initial sample size, provides more possibilities, and among those "possibilities", is where those who really WANT TO PLAY are found. A lot of players show up at camp, but only a few really stand out, and that's what the coaching staff looks for. Attributes like "heart" and "desire" get exposed, and those character qualities are desirable if one is looking to build a winning team.

 

[EvenSteven]

I believe that the Knights run big camps with the objective of giving guys the opportunity to show why they warrant a second look. Years back, I recall Kevin Raine showing his will to play a physical game against players who'd already made the team. That was impressive enough to get an invite to the main camp, and ultimately won a spot on the team.

It's a process, much like threshing grain. The chafe gets discarded, and the valuable kernels are kept. A bigger initial sample size, provides more possibilities, and among those "possibilities", is where those who really WANT TO PLAY are found. A lot of players show up at camp, but only a few really stand out, and that's what the coaching staff looks for. Attributes like "heart" and "desire" get exposed, and those character qualities are desirable if one is looking to build a winning team.

I believe Brandon Prust emerged from one of these camps as well?

 

[nelli27]

I believe Brandon Prust emerged from one of these camps as well?

Yes, Brandon got cut from his highschool hockey team, and later earned a spot with the Knights. Carved out a decent NHL career.

 

[bobber]

I believe Brandon Prust emerged from one of these camps as well?

I remember Deboer saying Mascioli was the toughest kid to come along since Prust.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Yes, Brandon got cut from his highschool hockey team, and later earned a spot with the Knights. Carved out a decent NHL career.

don't forget carving out a spot on reality tv. He was a big get for Hockey Wives.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I remember Deboer saying Mascioli was the toughest kid to come along since Prust.

Mascioli downfall was Deboer leaving.

Went to a Titans game Wednesday night and looked at the banners noting the players that played for Team Canada in the WJHC. Basically till 2010, there were players consistently on the team every 2 or 3 yrs apart at the max. Since 2010, only Ryan Murphy was in 2013 and we know why he made the team with Spott as HC. That may not be an total indication of how the scouting/coaching has failed the Rangers the last number of yrs but it does show the decline.

 

[rangersblues]

Mascioli downfall was Deboer leaving.

Went to a Titans game Wednesday night and looked at the banners noting the players that played for Team Canada in the WJHC. Basically till 2010, there were players consistently on the team every 2 or 3 yrs apart at the max. Since 2010, only Ryan Murphy was in 2013 and we know why he made the team with Spott as HC. That may not be an total indication of how the scouting/coaching has failed the Rangers the last number of yrs but it does show the decline.

That and how few high NHL draft picks in that time period.

 

[bobber]

Mascioli downfall was Deboer leaving.

Went to a Titans game Wednesday night and looked at the banners noting the players that played for Team Canada in the WJHC. Basically till 2010, there were players consistently on the team every 2 or 3 yrs apart at the max. Since 2010, only Ryan Murphy was in 2013 and we know why he made the team with Spott as HC. That may not be an total indication of how the scouting/coaching has failed the Rangers the last number of yrs but it does show the decline.

This is very true Ward. Watching the Under 18 Tourney you see Martone and Barlow there. No Rangers on any of these squads lately. The Old Boys Club can't see the forest for the trees.

 

[bobber]

That and how few high NHL draft picks in that time period.

There are a few No Show Americans in the NHL I believe that the Rangers took flyers on. Snow balls chance in hell they would show up anyway but the Rangers take it as a feather in their bonnets.

 

[rangersblues]

This is very true Ward. Watching the Under 18 Tourney you see Martone and Barlow there. No Rangers on any of these squads lately. The Old Boys Club can't see the forest for the trees.

There certainly won't be any next year either

 

[EvenSteven]

Mascioli downfall was Deboer leaving.

Went to a Titans game Wednesday night and looked at the banners noting the players that played for Team Canada in the WJHC. Basically till 2010, there were players consistently on the team every 2 or 3 yrs apart at the max. Since 2010, only Ryan Murphy was in 2013 and we know why he made the team with Spott as HC. That may not be an total indication of how the scouting/coaching has failed the Rangers the last number of yrs but it does show the decline.

Mascioli was taken by the Ranger’s in the 2nd round. DeBoer pick. Tough as nails power forward who could put points up. That was the book on him in his 15 year old season up north (34-21-15-36-133).

Under DeBoer he showed promise. In his 2nd season, he was a big part of the 3rd line on that championship team in 2008. (Timmins. Mashinter. Mascioli). His value was beginning to ramp up and he was expected to play a more prominent role going forward.

Then DeBoer moved on and Spott took over. With that coaching change came a change in philosophy. For all intents and purposes, that spelled the end for Mascioli as a prospect for the Rangers.

 

[EvenSteven]

This is very true Ward. Watching the Under 18 Tourney you see Martone and Barlow there. No Rangers on any of these squads lately. The Old Boys Club can't see the forest for the trees.

There was a time when we sent guys to this tourney and they came back to us as high end players in this league.

Andre Benoit and Connor Hall come to mind.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

This is very true Ward. Watching the Under 18 Tourney you see Martone and Barlow there. No Rangers on any of these squads lately. The Old Boys Club can't see the forest for the trees.

These U18s are always made up of players on teams that didn't make the playoffs and those eliminated in the 1st round (as far as the OHL is concerned) , as that's when the cutoff date for roster selection was.

Rehkopf would have been a shoe-in if we had been eliminated by Windsor.
I agree about the old boys club, but this is a bit of a square peg, round hole case.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

This is very true Ward. Watching the Under 18 Tourney you see Martone and Barlow there. No Rangers on any of these squads lately. The Old Boys Club can't see the forest for the trees.

The US team is made up entirely of USNTDP players*, so none of the players on that roster are CHL property. Some CHL teams have their draft rights but none of them are committed to those teams as of this season.
Brzustewicz was on last years USNTDP team at this tournament, and Schmidt on the US team the year before. Zidlicky was recently on the Czech team.

*Carey Terrance of the Otters is the lone CHL player on the team, not something that usually happens.

 

[bobber]

These U18s are always made up of players on teams that didn't make the playoffs and those eliminated in the 1st round (as far as the OHL is concerned) , as that's when the cutoff date for roster selection was.

Rehkopf would have been a shoe-in if we had been eliminated by Windsor.
I agree about the old boys club, but this is a bit of a square peg, round hole case.

Good point Coroner. Rehkopf has caught the eye of NHL scouting. Has the size and shot. He certainly has the ability to develop into a decent pro given proper direction. Rehkopf was a minus 9 for the season. It was mentioned in an article he needs work on the defensive side of the game. Basically his work away from the puck. This could have kept him off the Under 18 squad. Again he needs proper direction at practice.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

This comment from MM in Josh Brown article doesn't seem promising:

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.”

 

[RangerNation]

This comment from MM in Josh Brown article doesn't seem promising:

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.”

So re-hire Chris Dennis then. This is stupid.

 

[bobber]

This comment from MM in Josh Brown article doesn't seem promising:

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.”

Cheap , cheap said the birds! Rangers still have to pay the Chris Dennis contract. I can't see them signing an experienced coach to anything long term now. How are they going to ever compete with Hunter if they continue on the same path?

 

[Ward Cornell]

Cheap , cheap said the birds! Rangers still have to pay the Chris Dennis contract. I can't see them signing an experienced coach to anything long term now. How are they going to ever compete with Hunter if they continue on the same path?

I said back during mid-season that the Rangers needed to miss the playoffs for wholesale changes to be made to "right the ship". Looking more and more I was correct and I hate being correct in this case. I sense the BoD and non-hockey management fingers being all over this!

 

[Coaches Coroner]

So re-hire Chris Dennis then. This is stupid.

I'm not sure how that's the takeway...I feel like we read different things.

It says someone with OHL coaching experience is important, something Dennis lacked...it also said they need to not only be able to mesh with front office (something Dennis did), but also be able to understand teenagers (something Dennis obviously wasn't able to do with how little he was able to get from his teenage players).

 

[bobber]

Read Brown's article on hiring a new coach. Kind of vague really. Hard to get a real read on what they are actually looking for in a coach. It does sound like they are still using the same play book some what in their hunt. "Someone that grows with the team" doesn't sound like an experienced coach. Develop a coach along with players? The positive I take from MM's interview was that they have a pile of resumes to go through. We heard this before. Hope they see through embellishments. Could be a well known TV analyst son in the pile that the directors want to rub noses with up in the press room munching on Long Johns. Kidding. We now wait in anticipation of the big reveal down the road somewhere. Anyway lets hope they finally do something right for the fans who actually pay the freight at the Aud.

 

[K2]

We now wait in anticipation of the big reveal down the road somewhere. Anyway lets hope they finally do something right for the fans who actually pay the freight at the Aud.

We'll have to swipe a successful current OHL/CHL coach to land the best credentialed candidate for HC. This is where we need Joe Birch to join MM and step up for the STH in navigating the politics, negotiating with all involved, loosening the pursestrings and putting his stamp on the team as COO ... if he's so inclined.

Will we instead do our usual charade and run silent for a while before announcing Dennis Wideman as HC? Probably not if we haven't in the last 3 opportunities but I can't say I'd be completely shocked and he may somehow 'tick more boxes' than Chris D if management is content to 'punt' (again). I don't imagine we're in the hunt for any recently fired pro-level guys like a Dallas Eakins (etc), as exciting as that may be, though most would be seriously challenged to coach teens these days IMO.

So re-hire Chris Dennis then. This is stupid.

I suspect the bulk of the resumes MM is inundated with are from lesser-known guys like Chris Dennis who may have assisted in the O and/or coached at adjoining levels that are seeking a next level coaching job. CD probably returns to an Assistant/Associate coach role somewhere; I doubt he would do so here under a future HC but who knows. He wasn't a great HC for the 2022-23 Rangers but also wasn't without merit.

 

[bobber]

Speaking of punting K2. It seems like the powers that be down in the old hallowed halls at the Aud are looking 4 years down the road. That is a long haul for paying fans to wait for a so called shot at a hypothetical Mem Cup here in KW. When you look at the last two seasons they actually finished 7th and 8th under MM's guidance. He is still running the ship regardless of whether he finds a new coach. Fans have given all the mulligans allowed. Hopefully they can find someone solid and can keep them around for a few years. Wouldn't want to be in their shoes going forward but hope it works out for the fans. They did draft some interesting exciting players in this past draft.