Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[Ward Cornell]

I agree with everything you said up to the point of boycotting won't do diddly. The only thing this franchise cares about is the bottom line. It's the reason they went out and got Peter DeBoer - because there were empty seats. Now that the seats are full, or at least sold, they really don't care about the product on the ice.

I agree with all points above by everyone. Im too lazy to look this up, in the last 30 yrs who besides PD name one Ranger head coach that had any relevant head coaching experience?
I remember Steve Bienkowski saying the Rangers philosophy "the OHL is a development league not only for players but also for coaching". IMHO, their one and only priority in development should be the players. Once the players develope the rest will take care of themselves.
Note: when I say develope players that winning is a by-product. Flip-flop the terms winning or development if you like.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

This franchise has been lost at sea for a while but at the top of the list has to be scouting. When I look at the roster, I can’t wrap my head around what they look for in a hockey player. It sure isn’t finish, toughness, speed, playmaking or IQ. Just about every ingredient you need to compete is missing. Player after player lacks in at least four of the five categories if not all five.

And we clearly have not had any development or coaching system that improves weaknesses. So it’s a massive recipe for mediocrity. And hearing the coach’s interviews just reinforces the country club atmosphere where the standards are completely gone.

I think the father son duo needs to go asap, we do ok in the early rounds but later rounds we rarely hit (unless it's a flyer on a college kid who is already known for their pedigree). I do still think it our development of players is the main culprit (70-30 or 60-40 share). Anyone who comes in with a standout attribute, is sanded down into the same ho-hum vanilla type of player. The idea of everyone, hell anyone, having a role and playing it is non existant.
Somethings got to give. I know MM doubled down on the group and coach not long ago, but this is just brutal.
I feel for STH's. I changed the channel after 2-0, just not watching this disappointing and non-entertaining brand of hockey for 2 more hours.

The team is so disappointing it's taking away from my irritation with how the officiating started the game; miss a clear hit from behind on Schmidt who then leaves the game, followed by a ticky tack interference call on Andonovski. The team is trying to race the leagues officiating to The Gong.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I agree with everything you said up to the point of boycotting won't do diddly. The only thing this franchise cares about is the bottom line. It's the reason they went out and got Peter DeBoer - because there were empty seats. Now that the seats are full, or at least sold, they really don't care about the product on the ice.

Problem is there seems to be plenty of people to fill the seats whether long time STH keep their seats or move on. Leafs had this problem for decades (and even when you get serious about running the team, it can still be woefully disappointing). You would need some kind of organized effort in boycotting to effect the bottom line, and I personally don't see that happening although it would be great to see.

 

[RichieRice]

Sad times :-(
After many years as a season ticket holder it's a real possibility that we will not renew next season. For many years Friday night, as well as other Ranger games home and away, have been date night for my wife and I. Her late father is the reason we are season ticket holders and the Rangers has been a thing she would talk about all season, but she is not being entertained with what we are viewing most times.

I am frustrated watching the game but would keep pushing hoping for things to turn around but she has come to the point where she is wondering when will we win games with authority or even lose them and walk away feeling like we had a chance? I can't argue with her.

Something isn't working with this team and to me its behind the bench. It looks like a team with systems that nobody has bought into or understand. No creativity, no adapting, no energy, zippo!
I really hope they turn it around!
Posting here will do sh!t except give me a place to vent. Boycotting won't do diddly either. Cancelling season tickets will mean we move onto something else, end of story. Nobody will care or notice..... end of rant............ hang head and walk away..........

I am in the same place right now. STH for 20 years, really like our Friday nights out, but out of patience.
I do see some good things from Andonovski in his second year but little else in the way of development.

 

[rangersblues]

I think the father son duo needs to go asap, we do ok in the early rounds but later rounds we rarely hit (unless it's a flyer on a college kid who is already known for their pedigree). I do still think it our development of players is the main culprit (70-30 or 60-40 share). Anyone who comes in with a standout attribute, is sanded down into the same ho-hum vanilla type of player. The idea of everyone, hell anyone, having a role and playing it is non existant.
Somethings got to give. I know MM doubled down on the group and coach not long ago, but this is just brutal.
I feel for STH's. I changed the channel after 2-0, just not watching this disappointing and non-entertaining brand of hockey for 2 more hours.

The team is so disappointing it's taking away from my irritation with how the officiating started the game; miss a clear hit from behind on Schmidt who then leaves the game, followed by a ticky tack interference call on Andonovski. The team is trying to race the leagues officiating to The Gong.

The only place we seem to pick high calibre players the past 10 years are the ones that don't show up and are developed elsewhere. Trouba, McAvoy, Fox...,

I think many on this board would tend to agree with you Buttsy. I may be a bit in the minority here, but aside from miscues here and there (no GM is perfect), he has made some good moves while in the GM seat. Mind you, it's hard to deny that a couple of drafts had produced below average results, so maybe ultimately that is on the GM. But I just compare his record to that of previous GM's going back the last 25 years or so (not counting DeBoer of course), and I would take MM over those others.

MM is head and shoulders above Hiebert and the dark ages before DeBoer. One thing he's failed to do is cut down the rotten coaching tree that seems entrenched in Kitchener and take out the roots. We need a completely fresh start behind the bench.

Great posts everyone. Bobber, your story mirrors mine.

After Deboer’s golden era, this franchise was content to preach about how they were “first class” and just count their money. No effort was ever made to be serious about competing. Everyone since has acted like spoiled, incompetent heirs of a brilliant innovator who built a family fortune.

Bobber, the reason those bottom feeding teams are passing us is because they actually identify problems and work to improve them. Kitchener just rolls out the same thing night after night and hopes it works. That the coach was happy with last night’s performance tells you all you need to know.

Right now it's all about optics. Making Brocchu first star last night was laughable. Besides the penalty shot he wasn't challenged.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Problem is there seems to be plenty of people to fill the seats whether long time STH keep their seats or move on. Leafs had this problem for decades (and even when you get serious about running the team, it can still be woefully disappointing). You would need some kind of organized effort in boycotting to effect the bottom line, and I personally don't see that happening although it would be great to see.

I suspect the Rangers will get a wake up call come the ST renewal time. I suspect with the on ice product along with this inflation phase we going into that the older STH on fixed income will start to prioritize their spending. Especially when walk-up tickets are readily available.

 

[EvenSteven]

I agree with all points above by everyone. Im too lazy to look this up, in the last 30 yrs who besides PD name one Ranger head coach that had any relevant head coaching experience?
I remember Steve Bienkowski saying the Rangers philosophy "the OHL is a development league not only for players but also for coaching". IMHO, their one and only priority in development should be the players. Once the players develope the rest will take care of themselves.
Note: when I say develope players that winning is a by-product. Flip-flop the terms winning or development if you like.

I’ve done this exercise in the past and know it like the back of my hand.

In the early 80’s, this team regularly hired from outside the organization.
Orval Tessier. Joe Crozier. Tom Barrett. All with coaching experience. All had big success here. Then, with the firing of Tom Barrett in the late 80’s began the promoting of the assistant. IMO, this is the lazy, cheap way out. Promote an assistant and there’s no job search, and you’re getting a guy who’s happy to get the job no matter the pay.
With the Barrett firing, every replacement meant an assistant was hired starting with McDonnell, right up to before the Dennis hiring - except for the DeBoer years.

This was easily our most successful period. You’d think the powers that be would have learned something. The way to go is hiring a big gun with experience as a head coach at this level.

 

[bobber]

Problem is there seems to be plenty of people to fill the seats whether long time STH keep their seats or move on. Leafs had this problem for decades (and even when you get serious about running the team, it can still be woefully disappointing). You would need some kind of organized effort in boycotting to effect the bottom line, and I personally don't see that happening although it would be great to see.

I remember Harold Ballard being interviewed from the hole in the wall he sat in during games. Leaf fans wearing paper bags. He was asked what he thought. He said, "By the look of their faces they should be wearing paper bags". He had their cash in his pocket and didn't care. This is basically what the Ranger franchise has turned into. A novelty. If the seats are full and the cash is the in the bank it's a success. Back in the 70s the Rangers had 2 winning seasons in a decade. Seems like they are trying to break that hallowed record now. I find looking back when they had decent hardnosed coaches, they were exciting hard-working teams. Having a successful franchise is a challenge. To start with the right people, have to be in place. I remember watching a practice many moons ago being run by Jeff Snyder. It was a mess. Sure wasn't OHL standard. Crozier ran a practice at Grand River arena when we were there for a minor hockey game back in the day. The Rangers lost the night before. When the practice ended there were 4 players left that hadn't been sent to the dressing room. The hard nose approach is a thing of the past. There were more blue-collar players back in those days. Most players at this level come from elite situations. They have had a ton of money spent on their hockey careers before they get to this level. Parents and agents have a say now. It will be interesting to see how the Rangers explain this season to STH.

 

[Gondrex]

I am in the same place right now. STH for 20 years, really like our Friday nights out, but out of patience.
I do see some good things from Andonovski in his second year but little else in the way of development.

While watching the game last night I was considering which players have made "decent progress in their development" so far this year. This of course is subjective, and maybe some can think of the odd player I've missed, but I think Andonovski and Sop. A case could be made for Martin after his early season struggles, but beyond that, I struggle coming up with anyone else. With so many players returning from last year's team you would think there would be more than a handful of players making that next big step forward in their development. Wouldn't surprise me if all other teams are having better results than the Rangers this year.

I'm also betting that other teams, most of which are having more success, are developing their 06's in the process. Our only 06 is getting spot game duty. Yeah, I get it that this is usually the way things are expected for a lot of rookies, but this team has a grand total of one 06. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if the opposition in each of the past 20 games, had at least one 06 in their line-up. Having said this, I do suppose an argument could be made that Morey (05) has been sitting out too.

 

[rangersblues]

While watching the game last night I was considering which players have made "decent progress in their development" so far this year. This of course is subjective, and maybe some can think of the odd player I've missed, but I think Andonovski and Sop. A case could be made for Martin after his early season struggles, but beyond that, I struggle coming up with anyone else. With so many players returning from last year's team you would think there would be more than a handful of players making that next big step forward in their development. Wouldn't surprise me if all other teams are having better results than the Rangers this year.

I'm also betting that other teams, most of which are having more success, are developing their 06's in the process. Our only 06 is getting spot game duty. Yeah, I get it that this is usually the way things are expected for a lot of rookies, but this team has a grand total of one 06. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if the opposition in each of the past 20 games, had at least one 06 in their line-up. Having said this, I do suppose an argument could be made that Morey (05) has been sitting out too.

The first third of a season has been a complete waste. If MM didn't have the foresight to steal Constantini from Hamilton we could flush the season right now.

 

[bobber]

Hollett was given a match according to Pope. 2 games plus under review. Coach says that was a decent game for the Rangers. " It's not the result we wanted but the game never got away from us". I say that when I lose a big fish up in Georgian Bay.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I think the father son duo needs to go asap, we do ok in the early rounds but later rounds we rarely hit (unless it's a flyer on a college kid who is already known for their pedigree). I do still think it our development of players is the main culprit (70-30 or 60-40 share). Anyone who comes in with a standout attribute, is sanded down into the same ho-hum vanilla type of player. The idea of everyone, hell anyone, having a role and playing it is non existant.
Somethings got to give. I know MM doubled down on the group and coach not long ago, but this is just brutal.
I feel for STH's. I changed the channel after 2-0, just not watching this disappointing and non-entertaining brand of hockey for 2 more hours.

The team is so disappointing it's taking away from my irritation with how the officiating started the game; miss a clear hit from behind on Schmidt who then leaves the game, followed by a ticky tack interference call on Andonovski. The team is trying to race the leagues officiating to The Gong.

You have basically identified the issue - that there are so many big issues with this team that it’s hard to know where to begin.

Your split on fault is probably about right but it all adds up to complete failure. The utter lack of improvement is staggering. The names mentioned in this thread are big reaches which is tell tale. By and large, the same guys have the exact same flaws they had when drafted even three or four years later.

If Dennis was a video coach, I don’t know how he’s not identifying and correcting these flaws? None of the kids are being helped by being here and the collateral damage are the fans who have to watch this game after game.

 

[rangersblues]

You have basically identified the issue - that there are so many big issues with this team that it’s hard to know where to begin.

Your split on fault is probably about right but it all adds up to complete failure. The utter lack of improvement is staggering. The names mentioned in this thread are big reaches which is tell tale. By and large, the same guys have the exact same flaws they had when drafted even three or four years later.

If Dennis was a video coach, I don’t know how he’s not identifying and correcting these flaws? None of the kids are being helped by being here and the collateral damage are the fans who have to watch this game after game.

Tim Wallach - This post sums it up perfectly.

 

[RangerNation]

Hollett was given a match according to Pope. 2 games plus under review. Coach says that was a decent game for the Rangers. " It's not the result we wanted but the game never got away from us". I say that when I lose a big fish up in Georgian Bay.

He brought up the dedication he saw in the players on the pk down 4 in the 3rd as an indication they were trying their best and didn't give up. He failed to bring up the d coverage in our zone when a london player consistently had 2 open players to pass to in scoring position. Both can be true, but I'm not leaving this game all happy with pk effort. These players look lost.

 

[bobber]

Coach Dennis complained about the missed calls and rightly so. Opponents coming into the Aud really have nothing to fear. When a team can run your players and garner no response, they take advantage. This issue isn't all on the coach. You either have some grit on your squad or you don't. As a fan I like to see some sandpaper and character on teams. It adds an element of excitement to games. Others may not care for it. Too much Irish in my blood, I guess.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Tim Wallach - This post sums it up perfectly.

Thanks. Just refreshing and frustrating to know we’re all seeing the same things. Why can’t they?

 

[RichieRice]

Coach Dennis complained about the missed calls and rightly so. Opponents coming into the Aud really have nothing to fear. When a team can run your players and garner no response, they take advantage. This issue isn't all on the coach. You either have some grit on your squad or you don't. As a fan I like to see some sandpaper and character on teams. It adds an element of excitement to games. Others may not care for it. Too much Irish in my blood, I guess.

Where are the guys like Duco and Richards? Not on our team.

 

[bobber]

Where are the guys like Duco and Richards? Not on our team.

Rangers have gone in a different direction in the last decade or so. They were the least penalized team in the league up to last night's game. It's one of two things. Either they are not physical enough as a team or they work at not taking penalties. Successful teams that play on the edge a bit take far more penalties. They also have to be able to defend when shorthanded. One thing I noticed about the Knights was how their D stood the Rangers up in the 3rd period. They were hard to penetrate eliminating rushes by the Rangers. They do have a few talented NHL drafted Dmen.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Where are the guys like Duco and Richards? Not on our team.

Its a joke that we still haven't honored Mike Richards.

Team does a piss poor job of honoring the past.

 

[Tim Wallach]

The lack of sandpaper on this team is extremely noticeable. First time all year I saw some pushback and the refs give him a match. Sigh.

But this team is soft and “nice” and other teams clearly see that and take advantage of it every single shift. Coupled with how slow they are as a team and opponents can be extra aggressive in every way because there’s no one on Kitchener who will (or can) do anything about it.

 

[bobber]

Its a joke that we still haven't honored Mike Richards.

Team does a piss poor job of honoring the past.

Yet they give long time directors "lifetime season tickets" for being in line first on free pizza night. Go figure. Richards should be a prototype of what these Junior B scouts the Rangers employ look for in a player.

 

[rangersblues]

Yet they give long time directors "lifetime season tickets" for being in line first on free pizza night. Go figure. Richards should be a prototype of what these Junior B scouts the Rangers employ look for in a player.

They should change their motto from Once a Ranger Always a Ranger to Once a Director Always a Director.

 

[Ward Cornell]

They should change their motto from Once a Ranger Always a Ranger to Once a Director Always a Director.

And the directors kids seem to get elected also.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

And the directors kids seem to get elected also.

Scouts too. Our current Head Scout is the son of another scout who is also still on the books, who we hired with 0 experience around the age of 18 or 19, and then promoted to the top despite pretty average results (despite having top 5 resources).

 

[Millpond]

Any chance Mesar gets traded to a contender ?