Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Ward Cornell]

IMO, we were a storied franchise in the 80's though most of that credit should go to Mike Penney. 4 Memorial Cup appearances and often at the top of the standings.

IMO, we were a storied franchise in the 80's though most of that credit should go to Mike Penney. 4 Memorial Cup appearances and often at the top of the standings.

and about 3 good yrs in the 60's with Walt Tkachuk(yes, I was there, first ST in the 68-69 season) Then those about 8 yrs in the 80's and then those yrs under PD. So lets say 15 good yrs out of 60 yrs...more like a few good paragraphs in a story

* sorry, something strange here....can't get rid of the double quotes and can't reply on my cell.

 

[Tim Wallach]

We are kind of a storied franchise. It’s just the stories are now about players not developing, being out worked, out-smarted and generally the easiest team in the league to play against. That’s still a story I guess.

 

[EvenSteven]

McKee firing was the right call at the time by any metric; his success with Hamilton is just further indication than something stinks in this organization.

Come to think of it, even though MM's been pretty good (his reputation perhaps bolstered by the gong shows that came before), it almost certainly helps that he is Bob's Son...can't be a coincedence both Bob's Son's have landed strong jobs in the hockey industry (MM here and Sean with Sportsnet).

I should have said the timing of the McKee firing. He didn’t get a real shot that season at a healthy lineup.

Being Bob’s son got him hired here to begin with. No experience anywhere doing anything hockey coaching related. Just a retired player who’s name got him in the door at this level instead of having to cut his teeth at lower levels like Tier 2 or JrB.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

I should have said the timing of the McKee firing. He didn’t get a real shot that season at a healthy lineup.

Being Bob’s son got him hired here to begin with. No experience anywhere doing anything hockey coaching related. Just a retired player who’s name got him in the door at this level instead of having to cut his teeth at lower levels like Tier 2 or JrB.

Turned it into, I think this is his 12th season.

Time for change might not be horrible.

 

[bobber]

I don’t think if you played pro or not depends on if you are good for coaching. McKee had 10x the hockey career that DeBoer had but imo is not nearly as good as a coach as DeBoer. It would help I get that but it’s not everything. I don’t know how you can complain about that end results. MM made that call and the team completely changed once that happened. It wasn’t even a slight change in how the team played….it was a complete switch.

Jives, MM hired Dennis too. How did that work out so far? McKee seems to have done okay since. Deboer was a different animal than most. Players actually fear Deboer's wrath. Anyway we will see how things go down the road here. I would say MM will tell Ranger fans Dennis isn't going any where. If he is forced to fire him and take over I guess we will see what he can accomplish this season. I am not a huge fan of MM but I do hope he can convince me to jump on his bandwagon. I did try a Bobby Margarita and found it not too tasty.

 

[bobber]

Even so Crozier had that team's attention. I ran across a couple of role players at a party one Saturday night. No drinking and they made curfew. Said they didn't want to give Crozier a reason to trade them.

We were at Grand River arena for a son's minor hockey back in the day. Rangers lost the night before and were there on the ice practicing. By the time Crozier finished ripping them a new one there were 4 players left he didn't give the boot to.

 

[bobber]

As a franchise you want your brand to be one that is attractive to players entering the OHL. You want a solid well coached team that players entering the draft want to come to first. Word gets around hockey circles fast if things aren't up to parr. This is when letters start going out from players telling teams not to draft them. Certainly hope that doesn't end up happening here and they somehow get their ducks in a row.

 

[rangersblues]

As a franchise you want your brand to be one that is attractive to players entering the OHL. You want a solid well coached team that players entering the draft want to come to first. Word gets around hockey circles fast if things aren't up to parr. This is when letters start going out from players telling teams not to draft them. Certainly hope that doesn't end up happening here and they somehow get their ducks in a row.

I heard the tour they give to prospective players and their parents is really impressive. Had a buddy whose son got a FA tryout. He was extremely impressed with the facilities and how they treated the kids like pros.

Lots of flash, but unfortunately not much substance IMO.

 

[EvenSteven]

As a franchise you want your brand to be one that is attractive to players entering the OHL. You want a solid well coached team that players entering the draft want to come to first. Word gets around hockey circles fast if things aren't up to parr. This is when letters start going out from players telling teams not to draft them. Certainly hope that doesn't end up happening here and they somehow get their ducks in a row.

How do we know that isn’t already the case? At least to some extent.

 

[Gondrex]

With a Soo surprise victory over the Knights today, Rangers are now 3 points out of a playoff spot. Hounds and Storm both have the chance to go up by 5 before Friday night's nationally televised Ranger game. Boy, gotta admit...... the heat sure is getting turned up by the day.

 

[bobber]

I heard the tour they give to prospective players and their parents is really impressive. Had a buddy whose son got a FA tryout. He was extremely impressed with the facilities and how they treated the kids like pros.

Lots of flash, but unfortunately not much substance IMO.

I know a director whose goalie son got a try out back quite a few years ago. He wasn't that good in Junior C . Least he can tell his grandkids he tried out for Major A. On the facilities they are some of the best in junior hockey.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I know a director whose goalie son got a try out back quite a few years ago. He wasn't that good in Junior C . Least he can tell his grandkids he tried out for Major A. On the facilities they are some of the best in junior hockey.

Speaking of goalies, can you please trade us one. One of your 04’s or the 06, you pick. We in turn will try to fill some required depth for your run…

 

[GeoBlue]

Speaking of goalies, can you please trade us one. One of your 04’s or the 06, you pick. We in turn will try to fill some required depth for your run…

Maybe Constantini and a couple of 2nds? LOL!

 

[TheBlueMonster]

With a Soo surprise victory over the Knights today, Rangers are now 3 points out of a playoff spot. Hounds and Storm both have the chance to go up by 5 before Friday night's nationally televised Ranger game. Boy, gotta admit...... the heat sure is getting turned up by the day.

Owen Sound playing Niagara and Erie back to back allows them to pull away in the top of the standings.

Guelph in their next 10 plays OS who Guelph has their number this year, London Hamilton, Sudbury, Kitchener twice, and Erie. Very good chance for them to pick up points.

Where as Kitchener has:

Oshawa
Saginaw
London
Ottawa
Sarnia
London
Barrie
Erie
Sarnia
Guelph

Erie and Oshawa should be easy wins even though nothing is a guarantee. Guelph, you never know what you'll get in the rivalry. But the other 7 games are against teams that added, added big and are continuing to add. Teams that are better than us on paper as it stands.

We're 0-4-2 in our last 6. There's a very real chance after these next 10 that we could be 3 and any combo of losses.

This is why something needed to change earlier. Time isn't the answer and patience isn't the answer. Chris Dennis can kiss an ass with that excuse.

Just food for thought.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Maybe Constantini and a couple of 2nds? LOL!

Two 2nds, wow too funny. (Empty Cupboard).

 

[Jives]

Maybe my twitter is broken??? I’m sure he had to of been fired by now and I just missed it?

 

[Gondrex]

Owen Sound playing Niagara and Erie back to back allows them to pull away in the top of the standings.

Guelph in their next 10 plays OS who Guelph has their number this year, London Hamilton, Sudbury, Kitchener twice, and Erie. Very good chance for them to pick up points.

Where as Kitchener has:

Oshawa
Saginaw
London
Ottawa
Sarnia
London
Barrie
Erie
Sarnia
Guelph

Erie and Oshawa should be easy wins even though nothing is a guarantee. Guelph, you never know what you'll get in the rivalry. But the other 7 games are against teams that added, added big and are continuing to add. Teams that are better than us on paper as it stands.

We're 0-4-2 in our last 6. There's a very real chance after these next 10 that we could be 3 and any combo of losses.

This is why something needed to change earlier. Time isn't the answer and patience isn't the answer. Chris Dennis can kiss an ass with that excuse.

Just food for thought.

I was going to save this question down the road in the event of a very remote chance that the Rangers, after all dealing-making, were to sink further and further in the standings. Well, it is happening before our eyes. So my question is this - In the history of the OHL / OHA Major Jr. A, was there a case(s) where an "all in team" ends up failing to make the playoffs? I personally can't recall one, but maybe I'm wrong. Doubting it comes to that here (fingers crossed), but the schedule TBM is pointing out above is going to really put the Rangers to the test. Missing the playoffs after emptying the cupboard would simply be embarrassing.

 

[dirty12]

I was going to save this question down the road in the event of a very remote chance that the Rangers, after all dealing-making, were to sink further and further in the standings. Well, it is happening before our eyes. So my question is this - In the history of the OHL / OHA Major Jr. A, was there a case(s) where an "all in team" ends up failing to make the playoffs? I personally can't recall one, but maybe I'm wrong. Doubting it comes to that here (fingers crossed), but the schedule TBM is pointing out above is going to really put the Rangers to the test. Missing the playoffs after emptying the cupboard would simply be embarrassing.

Was it Hamilton that had their team removed as host team for the memorial cup?

 

[EvenSteven]

Was it Hamilton that had their team removed as host team for the memorial cup?

Yes. But I think they may have had their guaranteed play in the tourney snatched away even before the trade deadline. I don’t believe they had a chance to go all in.

 

[Gondrex]

Was it Hamilton that had their team removed as host team for the memorial cup?

Good point. I see from the database that they did make trades, including Gus Morschauser and Dave Schill from the Rangers, yet only won 11 games. So there ya go.

[Edit] - just saw your post ES. I was wondering how they could have possibly only won 11 games despite being awarded the tourney.

 

[EvenSteven]

Good point. I see from the database that they did make trades, including Gus Morschauser and Dave Schill from the Rangers, yet only won 11 games. So there ya go.

[Edit] - just saw your post ES. I was wondering how they could have possibly only won 11 games despite being awarded the tourney.

They awarded it to the building. New Copps Coliseum without any regard for the on ice team.

 

[bobber]

I was going to save this question down the road in the event of a very remote chance that the Rangers, after all dealing-making, were to sink further and further in the standings. Well, it is happening before our eyes. So my question is this - In the history of the OHL / OHA Major Jr. A, was there a case(s) where an "all in team" ends up failing to make the playoffs? I personally can't recall one, but maybe I'm wrong. Doubting it comes to that here (fingers crossed), but the schedule TBM is pointing out above is going to really put the Rangers to the test. Missing the playoffs after emptying the cupboard would simply be embarrassing.

Silver lining. MM has the team in a good lottery position. Kidding I think? The number one kid in the draft Ryan Roobroeck might report.

 

[GoKnightsGo44]

I wonder if anything can be done at this point, if I was MM I would be reaching out for any and all Hail Marys.

Combing the NCAA ranks a la Fantili, Junior B rights like a Jacob Julien, non reporting euros, heck check every local highscool. Gotta look under every rock.

I have never seen a team load up in 9th place, if somehow the team makes it past round two it would be a hell of a miracle run!

I don’t think I have ever wished Rangers Nation well but at this point it’s hard to watch, hopefully things do turn around.

 

[Gondrex]

......I don’t think I have ever wished Rangers Nation well but at this point it’s hard to watch, hopefully things do turn around.

Otherwise Knight Nation may lose patience and look for another rivalry.

 

[bobber]

"Mike served as video coach for the Hockey Canada U-17 program in 2014. He was hired by the Rangers as an assistant coach, spending three seasons in that role from 2012-15".
Found this is interesting. Rangers brass love their video coaches. Fixter or as Ward calls him (Benjamin Button), MM and Dennis. Rangers love their video coaches. The question has to be asked. Who is presently the video coach of the Rangers? He could be the next assistant or coach in the future. Kidding of course.