Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[HockeyPops]

Comeau was invisible in the playoff finals last year against the Soo. Although he did have a hattrick the one game I missed lol.

 

[K2]

It is entirely likely Hage goes NCAA, many kids are doing that these days.

True, though without the ubiquitous early commitment it wouldn't (yet) appear to be his primary concern.

The NCAA doesn't get much love here. Posters often dismiss non-powerhouse schools like Holy Cross, etc but for those academically inclined, some of these top small liberal arts schools offer a chance to play NCAA division 1 hockey without a long roster logjam, attend a great school with VERY high grad rates & starting salaries, receive plenty of scout attention and quite possibly be on a $400k+ (CDN) scholarship that big schools don't offer. The OHL scholarship program has improved and gets plenty of touting but it's bare-bones and both utilization & graduation rates are quite lackluster.

 

[GeoBlue]

Good to see Sebrango today taking one last skate on Auditorium ice.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

True, though without the ubiquitous early commitment it wouldn't (yet) appear to be his primary concern.

The NCAA doesn't get much love here. Posters often dismiss non-powerhouse schools like Holy Cross, etc but for those academically inclined, some of these top small liberal arts schools offer a chance to play NCAA division 1 hockey without a long roster logjam, attend a great school with VERY high grad rates & starting salaries, receive plenty of scout attention and quite possibly be on a $400k+ (CDN) scholarship that big schools don't offer. The OHL scholarship program has improved and gets plenty of touting but it's bare-bones and both utilization & graduation rates are quite lackluster.

I'm not sure the starting salary from a job you get right after 4 year Liberal Arts BA being guaranteed to be very high. A lot of that has to do with people having the connections (family or otherwise) before school and having something more or less set up for them after. You can make similar connections in the OHL for post-career job opportunities (even seen is in Jr B).

The scouting attention for a small school can easily be dwarfed by most OHL teams due to number of games and proximity, especially if the school is out of the way geographically.

Agree with everything though, and I'd say the lack of "love" comes from an appropriate amount of respect (and subsequent dislike) toward them as a recruitment opponent for the OHL.

 

[EvenSteven]

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kitchener.citynews.ca

 

[Rangers True Blue]

This morning's blue white game.....
Maybe I was imagining it but there seemed to be more energy and speed that I've seen at previous camps. 15 minute periods as usual for camp but this morning, there was no "intermission" between 1 and 2.
Yes, it was great seeing Sebrango out there and catching glimpses of what we would have seen this past season. Watching him cruise into the offensive zone as he checked out his options before threading a pass was a joy for me at least.
Hamara not there this morning. Anyone know why?
Brzustewicz is a HUGE addition. Paired with Motew. You'll be impressed.
No worries about Fishman. He looked solid and was here, there, and everywhere as he buzzed around.
Zidlicky very sharp and energized. A. Leblanc seemed stronger, faster, and was in on a goal.
Serpa, Sop, Valade, etc etc going at it. Just felt like a good vibe all around.
The non-team players were given opportunity. We'll see if anyone stands at tomorrow's game (not going tonight).
You can see goals scored on Rangers twitter for those not in attendance.

 

[EvenSteven]

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Sad day in hockey

Sad day in hockey

Flags lowered at North Dumfries Community Complex after loss of Ayr Centennials player (update)

It happened during a game at the Ayr Mutual Global Invitational Tournament on Tuesday night

kitchener.citynews.ca

 

[rangersblues]

This morning's blue white game.....
Maybe I was imagining it but there seemed to be more energy and speed that I've seen at previous camps. 15 minute periods as usual for camp but this morning, there was no "intermission" between 1 and 2.
Yes, it was great seeing Sebrango out there and catching glimpses of what we would have seen this past season. Watching him cruise into the offensive zone as he checked out his options before threading a pass was a joy for me at least.
Hamara not there this morning. Anyone know why?
Brzustewicz is a HUGE addition. Paired with Motew. You'll be impressed.
No worries about Fishman. He looked solid and was here, there, and everywhere as he buzzed around.
Zidlicky very sharp and energized. A. Leblanc seemed stronger, faster, and was in on a goal.
Serpa, Sop, Valade, etc etc going at it. Just felt like a good vibe all around.
The non-team players were given opportunity. We'll see if anyone stands at tomorrow's game (not going tonight).
You can see goals scored on Rangers twitter for those not in attendance.

I predict Fishman will step into Petizian's role quite nicely. I'm also pleased to hear Leblanc has emerged. I've said before that I think his development as last season went on was overlooked by most.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I predict Fishman will step into Petizian's role quite nicely. I'm also pleased to hear Leblanc has emerged. I've said before that I think his development as last season went on was overlooked by most.

Honestly, he reminded me of Petizian. He plays bigger than he is. When knocked down, he just gets back up and goes.

 

[GeoBlue]

Antonino Pugliese will miss training camp after having surgery for a sports hernia earlier this summer. He’s making good progress in his recovery and is expected to rejoin the Rangers in mid- to late September.

I think that was Pugliese warming up on the ice after the scrimmage game. Going through some movements and is looking good.

 

[K2]

I'm not sure the starting salary from a job you get right after 4 year Liberal Arts BA being guaranteed to be very high. A lot of that has to do with people having the connections (family or otherwise) before school and having something more or less set up for them after. You can make similar connections in the OHL for post-career job opportunities (even seen is in Jr B).

It's pretty solid: 'starting median salary among Holy Cross graduates with less than five years of experience was $82,300CDN, while the mid-career median was $169,900CDN'. Graduation rate is 99%, guys like Dr. Fauci & Judge Clarence Thomas went there, etc. Sure there's advantages to attending a $100,000/yr college for making 'blue chip' connections for those going into law, med, finance, tech, politics, etc. When I worked in the US, just having gone to Cornell opened doors regardless of hockey.

You can make similar connections in the OHL for post-career job opportunities (even seen is in Jr B).

I suspect the 93% of NCAA hockey players that graduate with degrees probably have a huge leg up career-wise over the typical JrB grad even if both were helped by connections from hockey.

The scouting attention for a small school can easily be dwarfed by most OHL teams due to number of games and proximity, especially if the school is out of the way geographically.

Almost every NHL drafted NCAA hockey player is already drafted before they start school so the scouts there are monitoring their guys rather than recruiting late bloomers/FAs. Surprisingly, in the 2021-22 regular season there were a record 348 former NCAA players in the NHL.

 

[K2]

Sad day in hockey

How tragic & devastating. Rest in peace, Eli.

 

[Gondrex]

Honestly, he reminded me of Petizian. He plays bigger than he is. When knocked down, he just gets back up and goes.

Was thinking the same thing. Anxious to see if he has the same hands - i.e. put up some good numbers.
Enjoying watching him and Zidlicky on the same line.

 

[Gondrex]

Dickinson to the Knights.

Aug 31

NIAG

Sam Dickinson

LDN

NB 3 2023 LDN 5 2023 LDN 2 2024 LDN 2 2025 LDN 3 2025 LDN 2 2026 LDN 3 2026

 

[EvenSteven]

Two points on Hage. Let him do the USHL for two seasons, he will be in Kitchener to finish out his Junior.

Also by selecting him, MM kept him out of London.

Really looking forward to seeing the team you guys ice this season.

If he plays this year in the USHL, maybe he likes it there and recognizes the benefits of playing a second season there:
1) keeping his NCAA eligibility
2) getting drafted to the NHL from a non-CHL team.

After year two, he could go to school state side and/or possibly play minor pro at 19.

I’m not so sure I want to risk losing a comp 1st rounder next year on the hope he one day plays here.

 

[GeoBlue]

Was thinking the same thing. Anxious to see if he has the same hands - i.e. put up some good numbers.
Enjoying watching him and Zidlicky on the same line.

Zidlicky - Pinelli - Fish

Yes, I found it an interesting combo.

Martin - Rake - A-Blanc

I found them to be the best thus far.

As someone mentioned earlier, this camp seems to be more competitive than others. Hollett has definitely picked up his game. Serp, Sop, Valade, etc continuing to improve from last year.

As for the newbies, another intriguing combo on D I found was Cenanovic - Naherne. D will not be an easy position to crack so good to know we have some backup talent here in case someone goes down, or possible trades? They even worked a PP in the 3rd period. Speaking of D - Sebrango out, Hamara in.

Macchione standing out as the best of the newbie forwards, IMO. Looking forward to the final scrimmage today.

Anyone else want to add?

 

[Gondrex]

As someone mentioned earlier, this camp seems to be more competitive than others. Hollett has definitely picked up his game.

As for the newbies, another intriguing combo on D I found was Cenanovic - Naherne. D will not be an easy position to crack so good to know we have some backup talent here in case someone goes down, or possible trades?

Macchione standing out as the best of the newbie forwards, IMO. Looking forward to the final scrimmage today.

Anyone else want to add?

Hollett: that was my impression too. I admit that in my mind, prior to camp I had him partly written off. I felt that he seemed to show a lot more than what I had seen in the past. Hope he does well enough to be in the running for an OA next season. Having now seen Hamara and Hunter B, I think the blueline should be quite solid. If Hollett has indeed made that next step, I would agree with a previous post by EvenSteven.....maybe we would have the luxury of adding that 3rd OA up front. On the other hand it would be nice to have an 06 to groom on the backend.

Naherne: Of the non-vets, in my mind he is one that stood out from what I saw. Too bad he's an 04.

Rangers True Blue was right when he said that there appeared to be more energy in the first two games of this training camp compared to the last number of years. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the number of returning vets. It appeared to me the '06's were still adjusting to the pace of this next level of hockey. Overall, to me it looked like there was generally a big gap between speed and talent of the vets compared to the others.

In the early going, the vets that impressed me so far (besides the obvious ones who you would expect to): Zidlicky, Fishman, Hollet, Hunter B and Hamara.

Hard to say what the plan will be for Sop. If there weren't so many vets this may not be questioned, but as an 03 there will be high expectations.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

It's pretty solid: 'starting median salary among Holy Cross graduates with less than five years of experience was $82,300CDN, while the mid-career median was $169,900CDN'. Graduation rate is 99%, guys like Dr. Fauci & Judge Clarence Thomas went there, etc. Sure there's advantages to attending a $100,000/yr college for making 'blue chip' connections for those going into law, med, finance, tech, politics, etc. When I worked in the US, just having gone to Cornell opened doors regardless of hockey.

I suspect the 93% of NCAA hockey players that graduate with degrees probably have a huge leg up career-wise over the typical JrB grad even if both were helped by connections from hockey.

Almost every NCAA hockey player is already drafted before they start school so the scouts there are monitoring their guys rather than recruiting late bloomers/FAs. Surprisingly, in the 2021-22 regular season there were a record 348 former NCAA players in the NHL.

I think you wrote this wrong; the majority of NCAA players are undrafted in general.
Some guys go NCAA because they don't think they will be pro ready at 20 when their OHL career would be over. It gives them a few extra years and some get signed as FAs (whether NHL contracts or just AHL types).

I wasn't comparing junior B to NCAA connections 1-to-1, simply a point about not exactly lacking them in the OHL (and even lower in some cases) and subsequent Canadian schooling. Whether they do over OHLers who get their education is another story.

So is Holy Cross where judge Thomas started his harassment of women (sorry couldn't help...probably not an example I would personally tout for a place at this moment in time).
It's a very small school, largely of already affluent people from what I can tell...IMO you can probably swap HC with just about any school and they'd have a similar quality job lined up based on where they come from...but this is all aside from hockey.

If one is just interested in a specific type of schooling (and the 400K scholarship is very nice, but also speaks to bloated tuition costs in the US comparatively imo) it's a good move; if hockey is equally or more important too schooling, I'm not sure a school with a pretty poor competitive and development record is much of a boon over Kitchener in particular.

I guess my main point is that the OHL has problems, and the NCAA is a good option but hardly without it's flaws.

Cornell is a different beast than a Holy Cross. It's bigger, much more prestigious, good hockey department.

 

[TheAud]

Wasn't able to make it out to either game for camp yet. Looks like Rehkopf is playing well for us???

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Preseason Top 30 for the 2023 NHL Draft

Ah...normalcy. After having to make last year's preseason list based on U16 performances (because the larger part of the group had yet to pl...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

Rehkopf at 5, Zidlicky at 20 for Brocks early top 30 2023 NHL draft prospects. Parsons got an HM (I'd probably have Zid and Parsons swapped but that's me).

 

[EvenSteven]

Preseason Top 30 for the 2023 NHL Draft

Ah...normalcy. After having to make last year's preseason list based on U16 performances (because the larger part of the group had yet to pl...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

Rehkopf at 5, Zidlicky at 20 for Brocks early top 30 2023 NHL draft prospects. Parsons got an HM (I'd probably have Zid and Parsons swapped but that's me).

As Brock mentioned, it’ll be a challenge for Zidlicky to hold that 20 spot playing bottom six minutes on a projected very good team.

I can see Parsons moving up the rankings as well.

 

[GeoBlue]

Preseason Top 30 for the 2023 NHL Draft

Ah...normalcy. After having to make last year's preseason list based on U16 performances (because the larger part of the group had yet to pl...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

Rehkopf at 5, Zidlicky at 20 for Brocks early top 30 2023 NHL draft prospects. Parsons got an HM (I'd probably have Zid and Parsons swapped but that's me).

Rake and Zidlicky both looking great at the scrimmages. I hate to say it but our 05's are looking much better than our 04's. Parsons is Parsons and I think they are giving a closer look at the BU's. Vandenberg has the upper hand here but DiFelice dazzled today stopping a couple of breakaways. Did not see Pinelli today and hoping it is just a day off for him.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Rake and Zidlicky both looking great at the scrimmages. I hate to say it but our 05's are looking much better than our 04's. Parsons is Parsons and I think they are giving a closer look at the BU's. Vandenberg has the upper hand here but DiFelice dazzled today stopping a couple of breakaways. Did not see Pinelli today and hoping it is just a day off for him.

Why hate to say it? It is true. The only thing I'd add is it also seems to be a league wide thing. One can argue ours are in the lower end of other teams or what have you if they want but it does seem apparent the 04 group for the OHL was well below average.

 

[Gondrex]

Rake and Zidlicky both looking great at the scrimmages. I hate to say it but our 05's are looking much better than our 04's. Parsons is Parsons and I think they are giving a closer look at the BU's. Vandenberg has the upper hand here but DiFelice dazzled today stopping a couple of breakaways. Did not see Pinelli today and hoping it is just a day off for him.

Zidlicky has been quite consistent in all three games IMO. At the very least should get 3rd line minutes - just my opinion in the early going here. I think A. LeBlanc and Swick looked decent up front at camp, but yeah, the 05's may have stood out more. I even liked Macchione and free agent Paronuzzi. Hard for either of those two to make it based on what is coming back, but they didn't really look all that out of place despite what I had mentioned about the vets vs rookies in a previous post. Mercer is one 05 that I am hoping to see more from in the X-games....perhaps it's just me.

DiFelice did make some nice stops. Hopefully a sign of good things to come.

Looking forward to those upcoming X-games.

 

[Gondrex]

Why hate to say it? It is true. The only thing I'd add is it also seems to be a league wide thing. One can argue ours are in the lower end of other teams or what have you if they want but it does seem apparent the 04 group for the OHL was well below average.

I think there may be some truth to that statement regarding that draft class. Acquiring what appears to be a high-end 04 in Brzustewicz should help. Also both Hamara and (should he come onboard) Mesar would bump up the talent level for that age group immensely.......if nothing else, at least for this season.