Rangers Report

Looking ahead: Forwards

Let’s take a gander at next season’s Kitchener Rangers.

Because, it’s never too early to talk hockey, even with the heat cranking up a notch in these parts.

Word around the league is that the Rangers will be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

The claims come on the news that the team’s top six players — Ryan Murphy, Frank Corrado, John Gibson, Matt Puempel, Josh Leivo and Tobias Rieder — will not be back next season.

Of course, all six can return as overager players, but they're all earmarked for the AHL or NHL.

Toss in departing OAs Domenic Alberga, Derek Schoenmakers and Joel Vienneau, and that’s nine veteran bodies on the move.

The Rangers will take a step back next season. But I don’t think it will be as bad as everyone is making out.

The club’s defence will be strong yet again. The lineup will still boast a few bounceback candidates and intriguing snipers. And, if goaltending emerges — that’s a big if at this point — the Rangers may actually surprise a few folks.

I’m not talking conference title. But chatter of last place in the league may be a bit harsh.

Here is a take on how it could shape up next season. These are not lines released by the team, but trios I’m forming for the sake of seeing what the roster could look like.

Note, the promise of potential would obviously change if the Rangers deal some of their high end talent.

FORWARDS:

Brent Pedersen-Radek Faksa-Justin Bailey

Notes: Radek Faksa is no lock to return. As a first-round draft pick, and a rebuilding team in Dallas, he could crack the Stars’ roster. It’s either the NHL or OHL for the Czech import. I see him coming back to Kitchener after a disappointing season plagued by injuries. After a strong rookie season that saw him score 29 goals, he took a step back last year and potted just nine. He missed 29 games due to injury and world junior commitments and all signs are pointing to one final year in junior before moving on to the pros. The hope is that he returns healthy and if so, has to be the team’s No. 1 centre.

Justin Bailey is coming off a breakout rookie season with 17 goals and 36 points. He hit a bit of a wall midway through the year — as most greenhorns do — but rebounded in the playoffs to score some highlight reel type markers. A move to the top lines didn’t work as well as expected this season, but next time around he’ll be older, wiser and more developed to handle the job. As one of the most dynamic offensive weapons, his time for the top line is now.

Same goes for Brent Pedersen. Now a third year player, he provides some muscle, grit and goal scoring ability to fit nicely with his quick, skilled linemates. I can see him playing a role akin to Ben Thomson from two years back, when the rugged winger battled for pucks alongside Michael Catenacci and Tobias Rieder, only with more offensive upside.

Ben Thomson-Matia Marcantuoni-Eric Ming

Notes: Ben Thomson is eligible for AHL duty as a New Jersey Devils draft pick, but I think the veteran comes back to the Aud. He saw a 10-point dip in production this past year from 2012 and would benefit from a killer OA season. The team lacks leadership and he’d be a good fit to bring along some of the youngsters.

The Pittsburgh Penguins see Marcantuoni as a penalty killing third-line guy. So, the Rangers will continue to develop those attributes, but with his speed, he also has to be a player who can score in the OHL. The former No. 1 pick by the Rangers has the skill to do it and is one of a handful of players who needs to take a big offensive step forward in order for Kitchener to surprise.

Ming back as an OA is a smart move. He plays a variety of rolls and I can see him turning into a 20-goal guy as one of the team’s three 20-year-olds. This veteran line would be a nice complement to the younger top unit.

Darby Llewellyn-Curtis Meighan-Josh Sterk

Notes: After two years as the fourth line centre, Meighan deserves a promotion. He’s one of the team’s top faceoff winners and while he won’t score a ton of goals, he’s a responsible two-way player.

His stable presence up the middle opens the ice up for his the offensive-minded Sterk and Llewellyn. Both have much to prove, for different reasons. Llewellyn was a sparkplug, but got lost in the shuffle as a rookie and didn’t see much playing time.

Sterk struggled in his own end and was a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs. But scouts continue to rave about the third-year player, saying he has the potential to be a late bloomer. Sterk has the confidence to be a prime time guy, but needs to start delivering on it.

Jim Soper-Mike Davies-European import

Notes: This unit will likely fluctuate throughout the season with different wingers — such as Ty Learn and Kegan Blasby — getting some minutes.

No doubt Davies anchors this unit — either down the middle or on the wing — since he was the club’s No. 1 selection in this year’s draft.

I’m putting Soper on the wing since he’s 18 and brings some experience and offensive flare to the ice.

The Rangers will add a second European import with Rieder almost certainly bound for the AHL. The team hasn’t said what position it wants to fill with the pick, but after a recent surge in blueliner signings, a forward makes sense (though the team could always grab a netminder).

Kitchener received Sudbury’s first round import selection in the six-player swap this past January. Slating the Euro on the fourth line takes a bit of pressure off the newcomer initially and allows the team to move the kid up as he gets used to the league.

Tomorrow: Defenceman

Signing recap

It has been a busy off-season so far for the Kitchener Rangers.

Here's a recap of the five signings made by the team since being ousted by the London Knights in the second round of the playoffs.

Mike Davies, F
Inked: Apr 29
HT: 6-1
WT: 201
Age: 16
Skinny: The club is hoping for some instant offence from their first round selection. Let's hope they aren't putting too much pressure on the Thorold kid. He is coming off a year battling mono but appears to be on the mend. Had he been healthy at the draft, he might have been a top ten pick.

Doug Blaisdell, D
Inked: Apr 30
HT: 6-2
WT: 200
Age: 16
Skinny: He could be one of the draft day steals for the Rangers, who selected the Michigan native in the third round. He is a sturdy blueliner capable of dishing out some serious punishment. Think Max Iafrate body type, only three years younger.

Jim Soper, F
Inked: May 1
HT: 6-0
WT: 160
Age: 18
Skinny: Another player in his OHL prime - age wise. On the small side, but that didn't stop him from scoring 29 goals for the Waterloo Siskins. The Rangers feel his game will translate well to the OHL. Soper has made a living out of proving people wrong and could be a nice surprise in the fall.

Frank Hora, D
Inked: May 1
HT: 6-1
WT: 180
Age: 16
Skinny: A late round pick (8th round 2012) but a player the club has coveted since selecting him. Hailed as a late bloomer who has taken major strides in the past two years. A big body who can play in his own end but also chip in up front.

Matt Greenfield, G
Inked: May 10
HT: 6-2
WT: 175
Age: 18
Skinny: Follows in a long line of American netminders at the Aud. Flew under the radar playing in Florida but had several OHL teams interested in drafting him, according to agent Serge Payer. He has lived away from home the past two years so moving north is no big deal. At 18, he is mature and experienced to take a stab at the No. 1 role.

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For those wondering, forward Matia Marcantuoni is not with the Pittsburgh Penguins' farm team (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) for the AHL playoffs. He was released from his amateur tryout agreement May 4.

The junior Pens currently trail Providence 3-0 in the best-of-seven eastern conference semifinal.

Gibson, U.S., advance at worlds

Goalie John Gibson led the U.S. to an 8-3 win over Russia to advance to the semis at the world hockey championships held in Finland and Sweden.

Gibson is 3-0 with a .958 save percentage and 1.33 goals against average in the tournament.

The U.S. faces Switzerland in the semis on Saturday.

Whatever slim shot (and it was slim) there was of Gibson coming back to Kitchener is long gone.

Split second win

I know, I know, this is a blog about the Kitchener Rangers.

But those who follow regularly understand that I often post OHL items and news about Waterloo Region hockey players.

And let's tip the cap to the London Knights for an incredible season that saw the club rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champs.

At least Kitchener can say they lost to the best.

And local Kyle Platzer was along for the ride with the Knights. What a memorable rookie season it was for the former Waterloo minor hockey player. He wins a championship as a freshman, goes to the Memorial Cup and finds out he'll be in another after London was awarded the rights to host next year's national final. It all happened within 24 hours.

Speaking of the Memorial Cup, there has been lots of controversy over London winning the bid for the second time in a decade - beating out Barrie and Windsor this time.

London Free Press writer Morris Dalla Costa says the Knights have earned the right to host next year.

In Barrie, scribe Gene Pereira intimates that smaller market clubs don't get a fair shake when applying for the tourney.

Over in Windsor, Spits' ownership wants feedback over its failed bid.

From Sunshine State to the Aud

Kitchener has reached south of the border yet again to help solve a net issue.

The Rangers inked goalie Matt Greenfield last Friday to give them an American netminder for the eighth straight year. Jack Moylan is also in the mix for the starting job.

Greenfield is a bit of a hockey hobo. He learned the game in Florida, played in Chicago and is now coming to Kitchener.

He has local ties. His agent is ex-Rangers forward Serge Payer. He also helped teach Peter DeBoer's kids hockey in Florida.

He wears No. 31 - in honour of ex-Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (No. 1) and Buffalo Sabres netminder Ryan Miller (No. 30).

He also learned the game from his hockey loving Canuck neighbour while living in southern Florida.

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Meanwhile, London was awarded next year's Memorial Cup this morning, beating out Barrie and Windsor.

That means the Knights will be off to the Mem Cup in three consecutive years. It also means two OHL entries next year.

Playoff points

That's quite the OHL final brewing between London and Barrie.

In case you tuned out after the Rangers were bounced, the Knights have battled back from a 3-1 deficit to force Game 7 tonight at the Bud Gardens.

London was leading Game 6 4-0 before Barrie potted four third period goals to force OT. Ryan Rupert kept the Knights' season alive.

Win or lose, Kitchener's Mark Scheifele deserves strong consideration for playoff MVP. The centre has 14 points in the series, including two five-point games. He has 41 points in 21 playoff games this year.

Today, he was named OHL player of the week.

UPDATE: Scheifele is scratched for tonight's Game 7 OHL final. No official word on his condition but he was hit by London's Josh Anderson in Game 6 and played sparingly in the third period on. 

Teammate Jake Dotchin of Cambridge is plus-five with five points on the blue line for the Colts.

Across the ice, Waterloo's Kyle Platzer is enjoying a strong rookie campaign with two goals and four assists for the Knights.

Meanwhile, over in the American Hockey League, Josh Leivo was plus-one in for the Toronto Marlies in Game 2 of the west semi against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The series is tied 1-1. Jerry D'Amigo had two helpers in Saturday's 4-2 win.

At the worlds, goalie John Gibson continues to shine. After backstopping the U.S. to a 4-1 win over Finland, the ex-Rangers goalie made 30 saves as the Americans blanked Germany 3-0 yesterday.

Season highlight # 1

Rangers make bold move

Kitchener GM/coach Steve Spott made good on his promise to bolster the lineup by making the biggest deal of his career two days before the trade deadline.

Spott sent goalie Franky Palazzese, rookie Matt Schmalz and defenceman Cory Genovese to Sudbury for netminder Joel Vienneau, blueliner Frank Corrado and winger Josh Leivo.

The teams also exchanged several draft picks.

The Sudbury three wasted little time, bolting for the Aud the day of the trade in time to dress for the night game against Guelph and all three contributed in the 4-1 win.

Leivo and Corrado picked up assists, while Vienneau snagged the win.

The club didn’t get the post-season result it wanted. But, the move was still a winner.

The Rangers were a better team and scored more goals after the deal. More importantly, the swap served as a signal that the club had intentions of making a run.

It also gave fans hope and put Kitchener into the contender talk in a tough OHL western conference.

Season highlight # 2

Gibson grabs gold

It wasn’t a Kitchener Rangers highlight per se, but John Gibson’s gold medal performance between the pipes for the United States at the world junior hockey championships was definitely memorable.

Gibson laid claim to the title as the top junior aged goalie in the world by earning gold for the Americans in the 3-1 win over Sweden. 

The Pittsburgh native was also named tournament MVP, top goalie and an all-star. Not a bad haul.

For Rangers’ fans, Gibson’s showing offered some solace after Canada failed to earn a medal.

The international play continues for Gibson with the U.S. national men's team currently competing in the world hockey championships in Finland and Sweden.

Gibson, Murphy named all-stars

Kitchener Rangers captain Ryan Murphy and goalie John Gibson were named all-stars by the Ontario Hockey League on Thursday.

The pair cracked the OHL’s second-team based on votes doled out by the league’s general managers.

It was Murphy’s third consecutive trip to the all-star team while Gibson got the nod the past two years.

Murphy was Kitchener’s leading scorer from the blue line with 48 points in 54 games.

Gibson finished the season with a 17-9-0-1 record in net.

Both players also participated in the world junior hockey championships.

First team (votes):

C – Vince Trocheck, Plymouth Whalers (70)
LW – Reid Boucher, Sarnia Sting (80)
RW – Seth Griffith, London Knights (74)
D – Ryan Sproul, Soo Greyhounds (84)
D – Scott Harrington, London Knights (78)
G – Jordan Binnington, Owen   Sound Attack (60)
Coach - Mike Vellucci, Plymouth Whalers (45)

Second team:

C – Charles Sarault, Sarnia Sting (32)
LW – Garret Ross, Saginaw Spirit (48)
RW – Brett Ritchie, Niagara IceDogs (61)
D – Cody Ceci, Owen  Sound Attack (41)
D – Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers (37)
G – John Gibson, Kitchener Rangers (57)
Coach – George Burnett, Belleville Bulls (39)

Third team:

C – Boone Jenner, Oshawa Generals (31)
LW – Anthony Camara, BarrieColts (19)
RW – Cameron Brace, Owen Sound Attack (15)
D – Dylan DeMelo, Mississauga Steelheads (34)
D – Colin Miller, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (27)
G – Malcolm Subban, Belleville Bulls (29)
Coach – D.J Smith, Oshawa Generals (33)

Earlier today, Trocheck was named the league's player of the year.

Gold Cup action

The OHL Gold Cup is running this weekend at Sportsworld Arena.

It's a good chance to catch some of the top Kitchener Rangers prospects in action.

Three of them are participating in the tournament.

Jeremy McFarlane, F, was selected in the 12th round. He's on Team ODHA (maroon) and plays toady at noon and tomorrow at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Mike Davies, F, was selected in the first round (13th overall) and is on Team OMHA (black). He plays today at 6 p.m. and tomorrow at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Jacob Cascagnette, F, was selected in the fourth round and is on Team Alliance (Grey). He goes today at 6 p.m. and tomorrow at noon and 9 p.m.

Playoffs run Saturday and Sunday. Teams are yet to be determined, but game times are here.

Ticket info here.

Season highlight # 3

Home, sweet home

It was an unusual start to the season for the Kitchener Rangers.

The club played its first eight games on the road while the finishing touches to the $10-million renovation were being slapped on the Aud.

The extra long road trip to kick off the campaign only added to the drama of the home opener against the Oshawa Generals on Oct. 19.

And the lads didn’t disappoint.

Sniper Matt Puempel brought the crowd to its feet by notching the first maker of the season on East Avenue and the Rangers went on to win the game 6-2 before 7,639 fans.

Patience pays off

Jim Soper was a hot property.

Several OHL teams were calling to talk to the undrafted forward who led the Waterloo Siskins with 29 goals.

When the Rangers touched base, he thought it was just that - a call to let him know that he was on the club's radar. It turns out, they wanted to offer him a deal.

It was a no-brainer for the lifelong Rangers' fan.

And the Waterloo native's story is a good one. He was cut from Triple-A teams most of his life and told he didn't have the size or skill to make it.

Now, he has an OHL contract.

He's an interesting kid with a blend of speed, goal-scoring ability (which the Rangers sorely lacked last season) and a good work ethic.

He also helps his DJ dad out with gigs and has worked some high school dances. He has 10,000 songs on his iPod, some from the 1940s.

"When you go to stag and does and parents are there, you have to please them," he said.

If he cracks the team, his playlist will be an interesting addition to the dressing room.

Playoff update

Several Kitchener Rangers are still in action - or were - in the American Hockey League playoffs.

Ryan Murphy's Charlotte Checkers were bounced in the best-of-five opening round by Oklahoma City in five games. The blueliner picked up two assists.

Matt Puempel is second in team scoring with two goals in three games for the Binghamton Senators who swept Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in three games.

The Toronto Marlies moved on to the second round after taking out Rochester in three games. Winger Josh Leivo went pointless in his one contest. Ex-Ranger Jerry D'Amigo had five points in the series.

Radek Faksa has yet to see any post-season action for the Texas Stars, but the club has moved on to the second round after knocking off the Milwaukee Admirals in four games.

Meanwhile, John Gibson is the back-up for the United States in today's game against Russia at the men's world hockey championships.

Season highlight # 4

Conquering the Storm

Maybe there is something to the re-emerging rivalry with the Guelph Storm.

After all, it was games against the Highway 7 foe that seemed to ignite the most passion in the club this season.

The Rangers never seemed more amped than after Guelph celebrated at centre ice as if it had just won the Memorial Cup after a regular season shootout win against the Rangers.

And that emotion carried into the post-season where the Rangers dispatched the Storm in five games in a tough fought series.

Many – including myself – thought the OHL west quarter-final would last longer but Kitchener made quick work of the Storm.

That series win was perhaps the most dominating stretch of hockey played by the club all year and showed that, when clicking, the team was one of the best.

Second best arena?

The Aud is the second best arena in the OHL, according to stadiumjourney.com

The website ranked every rink in the league this year based on a variety of factors that included atmosphere, food and drink, access, fans, neighbourhood and return on investment.

Ottawa ranked first while Saginaw's Dow Event Center was last.

For what it's worth, my top five are: Sudbury Arena, Essar Centre (Soo), the Aud, Kingston, Peterborough. Honourable mention to London, Windsor and Barrie.

Season highlight # 5

Bailey’s best

Two of the prettiest goals scored this season by the Kitchener Rangers came off the blade of rookie Justin Bailey.

The Buffalo kid – among others – certainly gives fans reason to look forward to future games at the Aud.

This is a Bailey highlight package from the year gone by. But pay specific attention to his two best markers that came Feb. 16 against Guelph and in Game 3 of the playoffs against London.

You can find them at 3:56 and 4:22 on the video, respectively.

Season highlight # 6

Beacon of health

It wasn’t the result that stands out from the March 8^th match against Saginaw. In fact, Kitchener dropped a 4-3 decision in the shootout to the visiting Spirit.

But the game was famous for another reason. The tilt marked the first time since Nov. 27 that goalie John Gibson, captain Ryan Murphy and forwards Radek Faksa, Matt Puempel and Tobias Rieder were in the lineup at the same time.

There were several failings on East Avenue this season, but nobody can ignore the fact that the team was ravaged by injuries.

No other OHL club had more injuries to key players than the Rangers.

Ex-Rangers at worlds

A trio of former Kitchener Rangers are in Finland and Sweden for the world hockey championships, which kicks off today.

Represent Sweden is Gabriel Landeskog while goalie John Gibson suits up for the U.S. and Jeff Skinner is on the Canadian side.

Here's a look at the threesome from their days at the Aud.

UPDATE: Since this blog was posted, Mikkel Boedker was named to Denmark's national team.

Season highlight # 7

Scoring machine

Matt Puempel was acquired to shoot the puck and score goals. And he didn’t disappoint.

The Ottawa Senators draft pick lit the lamp 35 times this past season. And in a season where scoring was scarce, his goals – and celebrations – provided much of the offensive excitement at the Aud.

Puempel scored two hat tricks – Nov. 23 against Sarnia and March 15 versus Saginaw.

Only one other Ranger potted a trio of goals in a single game. Tobias Rieder had the hatty Feb. 3 against the Erie Otters.

It's scary to think what Puempel might have done had he not missed 17 games with a shoulder injury.

Season highlight # 8

Rangers’ offence erupts

It was a game fans were waiting for all season.

Back on Feb. 3, the Rangers hammered the Erie Otters 11-4 at the Aud.

Seven different players scored in the rout – Tobias Rieder (3), Justin Bailey (2), Brent Pedersen (2), Josh Leivo, Josh Sterk, Max Iafrate and Matia Marcantuoni.

It was the only time all season the club put double digits on the scoreboard.

Highlight #9
Highlight #10