Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Ward Cornell]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854610250336551185

Seems like it's becoming officially official next season.

seems official here... An Open Letter to the OHL Community Regarding NCAA Player Eligibility Changes - Ontario Hockey League

 

[Jives]

“Hello Adam, it’s Mike McKenzie calling. How about we get you out of Chicago.”

 

[RangerNation]

Suddenly "wasting" a pick in a flyer might pay off tenfold, for everyone. I think we will finally have a draft where the best of the best actually get picked in the first two rounds.

 

[Krangers08]

And it starts…
Jackson parsons has committed to Clarkson university next year

 

[robertmac43]

Wow this is all happening so fast.

Guess a lot of players were doing some work behind the scenes.

 

[EvenSteven]

“Hello Adam, it’s Mike McKenzie calling. How about we get you out of Chicago.”

Hey Mike. Don’t stop at just Adam!!

 

[Matttheleaf]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854657199697440824

Can't say I disagree. But I'd call it planning ahead instead .

 

[gimbznyr]

Suddenly "wasting" a pick in a flyer might pay off tenfold, for everyone. I think we will finally have a draft where the best of the best actually get picked in the first two rounds.

 

[EvenSteven]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854657199697440824

Can't say I disagree. But I'd call it planning ahead instead .

Players of note that Kitchener currently hold the rights to, with NCAA commitments, currently playing in lesser leagues, who could make the jump at some point to the Rangers.

2022 draft:

06 D- Cole Longacre (2nd round)
Passed over last NHL draft
Green Bay (USHL)
Committed: Merrimack (25-26)

2023 draft:

07 F- Haeden Ellis (8th round)
NHL Eligible 2025
Cedar Rapids (USHL)
Committed: Northeastern (26-27)

07 F- LJ Mooney (11th round)
NHL eligible 2025
USNTDP
Committed: Minnesota (26-27)

07 F- Niles Benson (13th Round)
NHL eligible 2025
Green Bay (USHL)
Committed: Harvard (26-27)

07 D- Matthew Grimes (15th round)
NHL eligible 2025
Sioux Falls (USHL)
Committed: Minnesota (26-27)

2024 draft:

08 F- Adam Valentini (1st round)
NHL eligible 2026
Chicago (USHL)
Committed: Michigan (26-27)

08 D- Jacob Xu (8th round)
NHL eligible 2026
Trenton (OJHL)
Committed: Harvard (26-27)

08 D- Jude Bray (10th round)
NHL eligible 2026
Sherwood Park (BCHL)
Committed: Penn State (27-28)

08 F- Jack Hextall (13th round)
NHL eligible 2026
Youngstown (USHL)
Committed: Michigan (26-27)

 

[Ward Cornell]

This probably has lowered the value of players at the trade deadline.
But it also enhanced the value of lower draft picks.
Sure makes the Rehkopf trade look better and better.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

This probably has lowered the value of players at the trade deadline.
But it also enhanced the value of lower draft picks.
Sure makes the Rehkopf trade look better and better.

Was thinking the same thing. Makes even more sense why MM traded Rehkopf early. Can't imagine that he hasn't been talking with a few of the players that could benefit from the rule change. Standby....

 

[Ward Cornell]

Was thinking the same thing. Makes even more sense why MM traded Rehkopf early. Can't imagine that he hasn't been talking with a few of the players that could benefit from the rule change. Standby....

Not only that, but it has given teams some extra trade chips. There's only so many players a team can have one their roster.

Ths is a great rule change for the players, the CHL, NCAA and the NHL. I wonder if the NHL was the catalyst in this?
Long over due.

 

[robertmac43]

Full jersey for tonight:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1854886629040603243

 

[Gondrex]

Players of note that Kitchener currently hold the rights to, with NCAA commitments, currently playing in lesser leagues, who could make the jump at some point to the Rangers.................



08 F- Jack Hextall (13th round)
NHL eligible 2026
Youngstown (USHL)
Committed: Michigan (26-27)

Supposing Youngstown gains entry into the OHL (I have no idea if the rule change increases this chance or not), I'm guessing Youngstown retains Hextall's rights (?) ....or does he then get to choose between the Phantoms and Rangers at that point ? Maybe a rhetorical question.

 

[EvenSteven]

Supposing Youngstown gains entry into the OHL (I have no idea if the rule change increases this chance or not), I'm guessing Youngstown retains his rights (?) ....or does he then get to choose between the Phantoms and Rangers at that point ? Maybe a rhetorical question.

Good question.

I would suppose, hypothetically thinking, that if Youngstown or any other USHL team(s) joined the OHL, it would be via the same expansion format that the OHL has conducted in the past. I would then assume that Hextall would be Ranger property and be protected or not in any expansion draft.

I’m thinking the only way Youngstown would hold the rights of any current player would be if they called it a merger. And it might go that way. I don’t think that’s ever happened in OHL expansion history. I would assume in a merger situation, Youngstown would be able to protect X amount of its players? It would depend on any agreements made between Youngstown and the league.

Who knows? Agreements might be made to allow, even as part of the expansion draft process, Youngstown, or any other USHL expansion cities, to protect their top players and then go into an expansion draft.

Not lost on anybody is the recent successful expansions in the NHL where expansion teams were able to immediately ice competitive teams from day one. There’s no better way to help an expansion team’s off ice fortunes than to make sure it is competitive from day one. If they do go in this direction, look for protection lists to be much shorter than past drafts. It would only make sense really.

 

[Gondrex]

Good question.

I would suppose, hypothetically thinking, that if Youngstown or any other USHL team(s) joined the OHL, it would be via the same expansion format that the OHL has conducted in the past. I would then assume that Hextall would be Ranger property and be protected or not in any expansion draft.

I’m thinking the only way Youngstown would hold the rights of any current player would be if they called it a merger. And it might go that way. I don’t think that’s ever happened in OHL expansion history. I would assume in a merger situation, Youngstown would be able to protect X amount of its players? It would depend on any agreements made between Youngstown and the league.

Who knows? Agreements might be made to allow, even as part of the expansion draft process, Youngstown, or any other USHL expansion cities, to protect their top players and then go into an expansion draft.

Not lost on anybody is the recent successful expansions in the NHL where expansion teams were able to immediately ice competitive teams from day one. There’s no better way to help an expansion team’s off ice fortunes than to make sure it is competitive from day one. If they do go in this direction, look for protection lists to be much shorter than past drafts. It would only make sense really.

Yeah, the process would not be all that cut and dry. For instance, the Phantoms currently have (4) players that would be classified as imports, which is of course an issue if entering the OHL.

Looks like Guelph would potentially also have a similar situation as Kitchener. 2024 3rd rounder Eric Frossard is on this roster too. Might be nice to have company if it were to come down to some serious talks. But as it stands now for the time being, this team remains part of the USHL. Just noticed Hextall's connection to the team in the news and thought I'd bring it up.

 

[ohloutsider]

I don't think any other franchise can come close to the ceremony Kitchener puts on for Remembrance Day, well done.

 

[All the Answers]

Great hit Ando on Hayes. Blew him up cleanly.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Great hit Ando on Hayes. Blew him up cleanly.

Nice hit, even nicer no retailalition for a clean hit.
Great to see this, I would say the same if a Ranger was laid out.

 

[EvenSteven]

Great hit Ando on Hayes. Blew him up cleanly.

Nice hit, even nicer no retailalition for a clean hit.
Great to see this, I would say the same if a Ranger was laid out.

I’ll have to take your word for it. I glanced away for one second and missed the hit of the game.

But lucky me! We have a video board that’ll show me the replay!

NOT!! Team logos was all we got.

I swear, give me the old blue scoreboard from decades ago with a couple burned out bulbs, and I’d be happy enough.

 

[Ward Cornell]

What's up with the Steelheads? I sense they may be making phone calls to get them out of their funk.

 

[EvenSteven]

What's up with the Steelheads? I sense they may be making phone calls to get them out of their funk.

I haven’t seen any other games this year, but they do need size up front and a vet or two on D.

And maybe Ivankovic could miss the push that Leenders provided before his trade to Brantford?

 

[robertmac43]

Nice hit, even nicer no retailalition for a clean hit.
Great to see this, I would say the same if a Ranger was laid out.

I think part of that is no one can really take Ando on in a fight on this SOO team.

 

[Gondrex]

What's up with the Steelheads? I sense they may be making phone calls to get them out of their funk.

Definitely surprising. Martone and Rehkopf are doing their job, but adding some depth would likely help too.

Also, considering the many pre-season predictions, kinda weird to see Niagara, Kitchener and Windsor at the top of their respective divisions......... at least at this point in the season.

 

[bobber]

Ranger fans watched a dominant game last night against the Soo. Basically gave them nothing all 3 periods. They are scoring some amazing goals. Not a lot of garbage goals. Jussi has them playing great positional hockey at this point. Hockey at this level is measured in wins. MM might be receiving calls from opposing GMs and listening. Not sure what the plan is going forward but I doubt he makes hasty moves unless he receives an offer he can't refuse. This is the most solid hockey we have seen in years.