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

[K2]

Is there a list of invitees for Rookie Camp (it's this weekend isn't it)?

Camp is May 12-14. Roster (lots of FAs) ->

https://cdn.ontariohockeyleague.com/uploads/kitchenerrangers/2023/05/05151347/Kitchener-Rangers-2023-Development-Camp-Roster.pdf

Schedule (open & free) ->

Friday, May 12th:
6:00pm – Team Blue practice & on-ice testing
7:00pm – Team White practice & on-ice testing

Saturday, May 13th:
10:00am – Game 1: Team Blue vs. Team White
6:00pm – Game 2: Team Blue vs. Team White

Sunday, May 14th:
10:00am – Game 3: Team Blue vs. Team White

 

[bobber]

Looking at the rookie camp roster I notice a player named Brady Hamlin. 2005. Lasalle Vipers Defenseman. Say " Waiver claim".

 

[hockeylegend11]

Looking at the rookie camp roster I notice a player named Brady Hamlin. 2005. Lasalle Vipers Defenseman. Say " Waiver claim".

Pretty sure because Hamlin played for Windsor's farm club (La Salle) that he was on Windsor's 50 +3 player protected list and in January they put him on waivers at or just before the trade deadline after adding a couple of players to their list,only reason I can think re waiver claim.

 

[bobber]

Pretty sure because Hamlin played for Windsor's farm club (La Salle) that he was on Windsor's 50 +3 player protected list and in January they put him on waivers at or just before the trade deadline after adding a couple of players to their list,only reason I can think re waiver claim.

Thanks for the reply Legend. Much appreciated.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Picks 1 though 7 all at camp. Of note from last season's draft, McGurn.....Terrence. Goalies from this year's draft and last year's all there including DeFilice.
Both Under 18s.....Besner who I look forward to seeing....and Narbekov.

Some interesting invites including Matthew Campanella (35 pts in 56 games....64 mins penalties GRIT?).............Lucas Hihn (6 footer, 213 lbs, 64 PIM...more GRIT?), Gleb Akimov ( Russian now in Canada....6 footer...35 in 48, 37 PIM), and Liam Cardiff (6 footer 43 in 32, 66 PIM and 83 in 70, 111PIM....even more GRIT?. Seeing a trend here??....

Waiver claim Brady Hamlin.......D....44 points in 44 games. 5'11" 199 lbs. Prospects Sports Illustrated: Brady Hamlin is a stay-at-home defenceman with exceptional offensive talent and a strong shot. Hamlin is a threatening two-way player who is not afraid to dig deep and play the corners. His ability to make smart plays and crisp first passes out of the zone allow him to move the puck really well. Hamlin shows good speed with strong edge-work and pivots so that he can keep pace.

Looking forward to camp!

 

[GeoBlue]

Picks 1 though 7 all at camp. Of note from last season's draft, McGurn.....Terrence. Goalies from this year's draft and last year's all there including DeFilice.
Both Under 18s.....Besner who I look forward to seeing....and Narbekov.

Some interesting invites including Matthew Campanella (35 pts in 56 games....64 mins penalties GRIT?).............Lucas Hihn (6 footer, 213 lbs, 64 PIM...more GRIT?), Gleb Akimov ( Russian now in Canada....6 footer...35 in 48, 37 PIM), and Liam Cardiff (6 footer 43 in 32, 66 PIM and 83 in 70, 111PIM....even more GRIT?. Seeing a trend here??....

Waiver claim Brady Hamlin.......D....44 points in 44 games. 5'11" 199 lbs. Prospects Sports Illustrated: Brady Hamlin is a stay-at-home defenceman with exceptional offensive talent and a strong shot. Hamlin is a threatening two-way player who is not afraid to dig deep and play the corners. His ability to make smart plays and crisp first passes out of the zone allow him to move the puck really well. Hamlin shows good speed with strong edge-work and pivots so that he can keep pace.

Looking forward to camp!

Also noticing Luka Cenanovic whom I thought had a pretty good camp last fall.

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

Gardiner MacDougall

 

[GeoBlue]

Gardiner MacDougall

He is pretty much Hunter's age. Would he move to Ontario for only a few years, away from a steady job at the UNB?

 

[EvenSteven]

He was hanging around the Aud during the London series. I talked to him. Straight up guy. I told him we could use him here. He laughed. He said he’s just here scouting out prospects for UNB. I assume that was the case but …..

He was VERY happy with Petizian and Nolet. He told me we needed a Petizian in these playoffs. No kidding! Lol!

For me, it’d be worth it to slide a blank check across the table to this guy. With his resume, he could always go back to UNB if it came down to it.

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

Kitchener really would like get Gardiner but I cannot see Gardiner leaving UNB until he hits 65 (2 years)

 

[EvenSteven]

Kitchener really would like get Gardiner but I cannot see Gardiner leaving UNB until he hits 65 (2 years)

What’s the significance of hitting 65? Pension from UNB?

 

[EvenSteven]

getting Hunter's kid would be at the very least interesting.

It would be intriguing if Dylan Hunter was hired as coach of the Rangers. And it wouldn’t be totally out of the realm of possibility.

One day, he may be the replacement for Dale in London. But it would serve him well to get some head coaching experience elsewhere. If for no other reason, to prove he can do the job successfully. Then down the road if he’s hired to do the job in London, it’ll be because he’s an experienced head coach and not only because he’s Dale’s son.

Would there be pressures coaching a serious rival to the Knights? Sure. But it would be part of the learning process. Also, if the Ranger’s did win the bid for ‘27, the head coaching job here would be a prime post.

There is a loose comparison to this. Back in the day, Bobby Clarke, who may as well have been family to the Sniders’ in Philly, took a GM’s job in Minnesota for a time before coming “home” to take the GM’s job with the Flyers.

I don’t see this happening to be honest. At least here in Kitchener. But if Dylan sees head coaching in his future, it would serve him well to get some experience before taking the job in London.

 

[K2]

What’s the significance of hitting 65? Pension from UNB?

He’s likely 100% qualified already (85 factor) though his wife might need more years teaching? Great guy, might do well here. IMO, I suspect we’re too far West for him to make a move.

He was VERY happy with Petizian and Nolet. He told me we needed a Petizian in these playoffs.

I hope he was as happy with Connor Hall

 

[Gondrex]

Maybe a bit off topic, but what other west conf teams are projected to be weak next year? I think Guelph, Saginaw and Owen Sound among others have a good bunch of returnees if I'm not mistaken. A bit of misery will like a bit of company .

 

[EvenSteven]

Maybe a bit off topic, but what other west conf teams are projected to be weak next year? I think Guelph, Saginaw and Owen Sound among others have a good bunch of returnees if I'm not mistaken. A bit of misery will like a bit of company .

The west?

In no particular order, I think the three groupings in the conference should be:

Contenders:
Guelph
London
Owen Sound
Saginaw
Soo.
These all have pretty good or better returning players along with decent to very good draft pick cupboards.

Followed by:
Erie
Flint
Erie should return to respectability while Flint has a decent returning group. Both may eventually sell to build draft assets.


Then:
Kitchener
Windsor
Sarnia
All three devastated by graduation and thin to very thin draft cupboards.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The west?

In no particular order, I think the three groupings in the conference should be:

Contenders:
Guelph
London
Owen Sound
Saginaw
Soo.
These all have pretty good or better returning players along with decent to very good draft pick cupboards.

Followed by:
Erie
Flint
Erie should return to respectability while Flint has a decent returning group. Both may eventually sell to build draft assets.


Then:
Kitchener
Windsor
Sarnia
All three devastated by graduation and thin to very thin draft cupboards.

So Kitchener is projected at 8th?

 

[Gondrex]

So Kitchener is projected at 8th?

Man, that would be some irony.

 

[bobber]

So Kitchener is projected at 8th?

9th going by the Ranger's Benjamin Button theory of hockey followed by the 8th last season and 7th the year before. Can a team finish 21st in a 20 team league? As Howie Mandel says in the Staples commercial " Lets find out".

 

[Ward Cornell]

9th going by the Ranger's Benjamin Button theory of hockey followed by the 8th last season and 7th the year before. Can a team finish 21st in a 20 team league? As Howie Mandel says in the Staples commercial " Lets find out".

Well, if true youu do know who should be the head coach? Oh wait, that boat fortunately has sailed.

 

[EvenSteven]

So Kitchener is projected at 8th?

Each group in no particular order.

 

[bobber]

Well, if true youu do know who should be the head coach? Oh wait, that boat fortunately has sailed.

Fixter might be hiding in the Scotch Thistles growing along the fence at the Aud. They say two times is a charm!

 

[bobber]

Rangers 1st rnd pick Cameron Reid signed with the team.

 

[RangerNation]

Man, that would be some irony.

I mentioned once the season ended that I wouldn't be surprised if next years team ends up 7th or 6th because they have nothing to lose. Monumental failure this year was.

 

[dmead]

I mentioned once the season ended that I wouldn't be surprised if next years team ends up 7th or 6th because they have nothing to lose. Monumental failure this year was.

Strange season wasnt it? On opening day I had the Rangers top 4 in the West, Knights about 6th.

It's why you play out the season. While Im tickled about the Knights, Im dumbfounded what happened in Rangerland. Just doesnt fit...

 

[Ward Cornell]

Strange season wasnt it? On opening day I had the Rangers top 4 in the West, Knights about 6th.

It's why you play out the season. While Im tickled about the Knights, Im dumbfounded what happened in Rangerland. Just doesnt fit...

Just confirms you build a contender through the draft, player development and coaching. You never do through trades to cover up whats lacking in those three talking points.

Best of luck in the finals!