Rangers Report

Bienkowski top executive

Kitchener Rangers COO Steve Bienkowski was named OHL executive of the year today.

The nod comes thanks to his work behind the upgrades at that Aud that will see 968 seats added, among other amenities.

The team's commitment to the community was also considered.

Bienkowski also won the award in 2003, the year the Rangers last won the Memorial Cup.

Cup winners

A glance at some former Kitchener Rangers who have won Lord Stanley's Mug.

Feel free to let me know if I forgot anyone.

2012 Los Angeles Kings - Mike Richards or New Jersey Devils - Peter DeBoer, David Clarkson, Dan Kelly, Larry Robinson
2011 Boston Bruins – Geoff Ward, Greg Campbell
2003 New Jersey Devils – Scott Stevens
2002 Detroit Red Wings – Boyd Devereaux
2000 New Jersey Devils – Scott Stevens, Larry Robinson (coach)
1996 - Colorado Avalanche - Paul Fixter (video coach)
1995 New Jersey Devils - Scott Stevens, Larry Robinson (asst. coach)
1994 New York Rangers – Nick Kypreos
1993 Montreal Canadiens – Brian Bellows, Gilbert Dionne
1991 Pittsburgh Penguins – Paul Coffey
1989 Calgary Flames – Al MacInnis
1987 Edmonton Oilers – Paul Coffey
1985 Edmonton Oilers – Paul Coffey
1984 Edmonton Oilers – Paul Coffey
1979 Montreal Canadiens – Larry Robinson, Doug Risebrough
1978 Montreal Canadiens – Larry Robinson, Doug Risebrough
1977 Montreal Canadiens – Larry Robinson, Doug Risebrough
1976 Montreal Canadiens – Larry Robinson, Doug Risebrough
1975 Philadelphia Flyers – Bill Barber
1974 Philadelphia Flyers – Bill Barber
1973 Montreal Canadiens – Larry Robinson

Darby on board

You knew it was coming, as it was only a matter of time.

Fourth rounder Darby Llewellyn wanted to be a Ranger and the team wanted him here. And now, it's official, or at least it will be.

GM/coach Steve Spott said the team will have an announcement on his signing soon.

That means first round Matt Schmalz and Llewellyn will be on the roster next season. And they'll bring some size. Llewellyn is 6-foot-1 and 175-pounds and still 15 years old. Schmalz is a beast at 6-foot-5 and 186 pounds. Both have offensive upside.

Gotta admit, whenever I type Darby Llewellyn's name, the Terence Trent D'Arby song Wishing Well pops into my head. Dating myself on that reference, yikes.

Eden update

Spoke to free agent defenceman Mitch Eden this afternoon.

The undersized blueliner -- 5-foot-11, 187 pounds -- had a good spring camp but does not have a deal with the club, as of yet.

He did however earn an invite to the main pre-season camp and said there is a 90 per cent chance he'll be there.

He has not committed to an NCAA school for next season, but said offers are likely to roll in in throughout the summer. He has talked with several schools in the past.

The 17-year-old rearguard had 26 points in 40 games this past season for the Huntsville Muskoka Otters.

Ex-Rangers in the news

A nice story in today's National Post on former Rangers captain Mark Fraser.

Turns out the defenceman watched an NHL game with the prime minister.

Meanwhile, down south, 'Canes writer Luke DeCock talks about the team's draft performances in recent years. Some Jeff Skinner and Ryan Murphy news in there.

As for the Memorial Cup? Congrats to London, who is off to the final. At least Kitchener can say it was bounced from the post-season by a Mem Cup finalist, and potential winner.

And some news on Rangers' pick Jake Trouba. He's blogging about the NHL combine set for next week.

Dispatches from camp

Keeping it short today, gotta enjoy that nice weather outside.

Spring camp continues today and tomorrow. I spoke with Darby Llewellyn yesterday -- fourth round selection in this year's draft.

Hard to believe he's just 15 years old. He was a great interview and had energy to spare. And he has an interesting Rangers story to tell.

Also, in case you missed it, Steve Spott is off to coach Canada at the world juniors next season. A big b-day gift for the skipper.

As mentioned yesterday, and in the story, sounds like Ryan Murphy is a lock for the team if he comes back to Kitchener. How could Spott and staff cut him and expect to get anything out of him the rest of the way in the OHL?

Besides the connection, I should point out that Murphy deserves to be there on merit.

One wonders if Matia Marcantuoni will get an invite to camp if he gets off to a fast start.

Spott to coach Canadian juniors

It's a beautiful day and I'm stuck inside Sportsworld watching the Kitchener Rangers spring rookie camp.

I'm standing a few feet away from coach/GM Steve Spott when the news breaks -- the skipper will coach Canada at the world junior championships in Russia in December.

Talk about good timing.

No sooner do I leave after an interview when media requests begin storming in for the bench boss.

Spott, who turned 44 today, couldn't stop smiling. It's his fifth gig with Hockey Canada, but first as coach of the world junior squad. The team took bronze last year.

It is going to be a pressure-filled year for Spott.

He has the Rangers' 50th anniversary, a re-opening of a renovated Aud and the responsibility of building a winner, not to mention an off-season and regular season full of world junior commitments.

Assistant coach Troy Smith will be coaching Ontario's Under-17 over the holidays when Spott is away, so associate coach and assistant GM Paul Fixter will be in charge.

Spring camp roster

Players taking part in this weekend's Kitchener Rangers spring camp:

1995 picks:

Brent Pedersen, Jared Gilbert, John Owen Stewart, Stephen Cooney, Jack Moylan, Pat Gazzillo, Adam Abu-Ali, Matt Greenfield, Mackenzie Dick, Jacob McNamara

1996 picks:

Matt Schmalz, Darby Llewellyn, Kegan Blasby, Ty Learn, Frank Hora, Rob Manchurek, Ethan Spaxman, Mitchell Binnie

Free agents:

Aaron Thow, Dan Volpe, Tyler Hoffman, Mason Marchment, Andrew Masters, Matt Harding, Dave Jennings, Andrew Boer, Dan Hanlon, Raymond McFalls, Brodie Myers, Garrett Pollock, Cam Nicoll, Marc Williams, Nic Marchand, Mitch Eden, Scott Emerson, Dylan Bursey, Taylor Best

Returning players:

Jordan Delaurier, Stephen Midensky, Evan McEneny

Back on the ice

I spoke with Rangers' coach/GM Steve Spott yesterday about the upcoming camp.

He said he was excited to see the 40 plus skaters coming to Sportsworld for the spring fling beginning Friday.

It'll be the first chance fans get to see new draft picks Matt Schmalz and Darby Llewellyn, among others.

Besides on-ice evaluations, Spott said the camp gives the club a chance to show the Rangers' philosophy - education, training, tradition etc ... - to future players and their parents.

Spott, again, reiterated that players such as Josh Sterk and Brent Pedersen are going to have to bring more next season. Pedersen and sophomore d-man Jared Gilbert will take part in the camp.

Others such as Brandon Lesway, Keli Grant, Brett Clampitt, Stephen Midensky, Brandon Francisco, Eric Ming and even Zach Lorentz are also under the gun.

The Rangers will have a ton of bodies back next season and have some talented youngsters in the wings itching for playing time.

Credit Spott for talking tough. Next year is a good year to go for it. The Rangers could have a collection of all-stars back.

Niagara will take a step back and London, while still good, may be dealing with a bit of Memorial Cup hangover. So, the timing is right.

Prospects en route

The Kitchener Rangers will hold their annual prospects camp this weekend.

About 40 draft picks and free agents will hit Sportsworld for the three-day camp running Friday to Sunday. The full list of invitees will be released by the team Wednesday afternoon.

In the meantime, here is a sneak peek at some of the key players who will be there, and a few notable no-shows.

Matt Schmalz, F. The Dunnville native was the club's first round selection in this year's OHL draft and has signed a deal with the team.

Darby Llewellyn, F. Kitchener's third choice in the draft, picked in the fourth round, has expressed great excitement in joining the club. Has yet to sign a deal.

John-Owen Stewart, D. A sixth rounder from 2011. Played this past season with the Gloucester Rangers, where he had 15 points in 54 games.

Frank Hora, D. An intriguing pick late in this year's draft (8th round). Good reports coming out of summer hockey. Some believe he'll be on the blue line in two years.

Matt Greenfield, G. Played midget hockey in Illinois this past season. Was a late pick last year. Strong in goal.

Robbie Manchurek, D. One of six players drafted off Sun County Panthers.

Adam Abu-Ali, F. Spent last season with the Don Mills Flyers. Coach says he was working hard all year in hopes of making an impression on Rangers' staff.

Cam Nicoll, F. Free agent had 12 points in 26 games with Alliston.

Kegan Blasby, F. A sixth round selection from this year's draft off of the Markham Waxers.

Jordan Delaurier, F. Northern boy making the trek down after a season with Abitibi where he had 27 pts in 46 games.

I'm hearing that forward Justin Bailey (7th round 2011) has not yet confirmed but may be a late addition.

Goalie Eric Bogart - who has been getting some attention from NHL scouts due to his size - has exams and won't be at camp. Fellow netminder Mike Stiliadis has also passed.

Potential late round steal Nick Magyar (239th overall this year) won't be there.

Rangers get key invites

Kitchener Rangers first round selection Matt Schmalz has made the short list to try out for Ontario's Under-17 club.

The Dunnville native will join other hopefuls at the camp in Cornwall July 3-8.

Full list of invitees here.

Schmalz and other youngsters in the Rangers' system will be in town later this week for the club's rookie camp.

UPDATE: Missed Keegan Blasby. Can't forget him. He also was invited and picked by the Rangers in this year's draft (6th round).

Trio of Rangers earn all-star nods

The OHL released its all-star selections today and three Rangers made the cut.

OHL GMs picked the players. Votes are in brackets.

First Team:

Centre – Michael Sgarbossa, Sudbury Wolves (86)
Left Wing – Brandon Saad, Saginaw Spirit (45)
Right Wing – Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa 67’s (75)
Defence – Dougie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs (93)
Defence – Scott Harrington, London Knights (60)
Goaltender – Michael Houser, London Knights (74)
Coach – Greg Gilbert, Saginaw Spirit (45)

Second Team:

Centre – Sean Monahan, Ottawa 67’s (27)
Left Wing – Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts (36)
Right Wing – Seth Griffith, London Knights (42)
Defence – Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67’s (55)
Defence – Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers (46)
Goaltender – Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs (46)
Coach – Steve Spott, Kitchener Rangers (39) 

Third Team:

Centre – Alex Friesen, Niagara IceDogs (23)
Left Wing – Andrew Agozzino, Niagara IceDogs (32)
Right Wing – Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting (35)
Defence – Beau Schmitz, Plymouth Whalers (30)
Defence – Ryan Sproul, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (28)
Goaltender – John Gibson, Kitchener Rangers (30)
Coach – Stan Butler, Brampton Battalion (34) 

C.A. brings songs to Waterloo

Any music lovers out there?

Well, this Saturday you can catch an act with a Kitchener Rangers connection when C.A. Smith plays the Jane Bond in Waterloo.

Smith is brother to Rangers' assistant coach Troy Smith and has released several albums since the mid-1990s as the frontman for Canadian indie band Gorp, then as Mayor McCa and finally as C.A. Smith.

Tough to see the resemblance under all the facial hair. C.A. certainly has Troy beat on the playoff beard.

Interesting fact, C.A. also ran for the mayor of Hamilton but, regrettably, lost.

I think that might be Troy in the Superman costume midway through the video.

 

Rangers ink pick

Shocking news, I know, but the Kitchener Rangers have signed first rounder Matt Schmalz.

The Dunnville native, who might get the nickname Shaq from the photo on the right, was selected 17th overall in this year's OHL draft.

The 6-foot-5 forward, as well as fourth round pick Darby Llewellyn, are both expected to make the team next season.

Schmalz, whom the London Knights also coveted, had 41 points in 35 games last year in Welland.

Alumni going strong

Missing the Kitchener Rangers already?

No worries. There are still lots of former players vying for championships.

NHL:

Michael Richards (right), Los Angeles Kings

Peter DeBoer (coach), David Clarkson and Dan Kelly, New Jersey Devils

Steve Eminger, New York Rangers

Mikkel Boedker, Phoenix Coyotes

AHL:

Mark Fraser, Nazem Kadri, Jerry D'Amigo and Matt Lashoff, Toronto Marlies

Scott Timmins, San Antonio Rampage

Boris Valabik, Robert Bortuzzo, WB Scranton Penguins

Julian Melchiori, St. John's IceCaps

CHL:

J.M. Rizk, Fort Wayne Komets (won championship)

***

The OHL's Subway Series returns next year. The series pits top CHL players against young stars from Russia.

Sarnia and Guelph will each host one of the matches.

Schedule:

Game 1 – Monday November 5 at Blainville-Boisbriand, QC
Game 2 – Wednesday November 7 at Val-d’Or, QC
Game 3 – Thursday November 8 at Guelph, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 12 at Sarnia, ON
Game 5 – Wednesday November 14 at Victoria, BC
Game 6 – Thursday November 15 at Vancouver, BC

Good news, bad news

Let's gaze into the crystal ball and take a look at next year's Kitchener Rangers lineup.

Note, this is just a fun look at two potential rosters and is based on the possibility of acquiring players currently in the Rangers' system. It by no means signifies that this may happen, so take it for what it's worth.

If all goes right and the Rangers get all their players back from NHL/AHL camps, gets a few of their picks from the NCAA and others don't go the college or the USHL route, the best case scenario would see a team that may look like:

Ben Thomson-Radek Faksa-Tobias Rieder
Zachary Aston-Reese-Matt Peca-Matia Marcantuoni
Zach Lorentz-Andrew Crescenzi-Eric Ming
Justin Bailey-Josh Sterk-Brent Pedersen

Extras: Brandon Francisco, Curtis Meighan, Brandon Lesway, Keli Grant, Brett Clampitt, Matt Schmalz, Darby Llewellyn, Nick Magyar

Jacob Trouba-Ryan Murphy
Ben Fanelli-Max Iafrate
Evan McEneny-Cory Genovese

Extras: Jesse Young, Jared Gilbert, Stephen Midensky, Mitch Eden

John Gibson, Franky Palazzese

And, to be fair, here is a look at a potential roster, as it stands now, if those commitments, free agents and pro players etc... don't end up back in Kitchener.

Thomson-Sterk-Marcantuoni
Pedersen-Lorentz-Ming
Francisco-Meighan-Grant
Schmalz-Lesway-Clampitt

Extra: Llewellyn

Fanelli-Iafrate
McEneny-Genovese
Young-Gilbert

Extra: Midensky

Palazzese, Moylan

Neither option includes 2-3 overagers that the club can drop in. That is a nice luxury to have.

If option No. 1 were to come true (it won't) the team would have tons of assets to trade.

The reality? Look for a roster that blends some players between the two presented.

The good news is that under either best/worst case, the defence looks relatively deep and solid. Also, with OAs figured in, the club will have some extra bodies to trade. And many of them deserve, and want, playing time.

An exciting off-season lies ahead.

Rangers to be buyers

The Kitchener Rangers have a window of opportunity.

The team has a strong nucleus returning with Tobias Rieder, Ryan Murphy, John Gibson and Radek Faksa likely back for one more year, and likely one only.

You'd be hard pressed to find a better foursome in the OHL that stretches over those positions.

Coach/GM Steve Spott understands the situation. He said yesterday that you can't wait for "your year" and that you have to pounce when the opportunity arises.

He also said the team will be buyers and that he promised Murphy and Gibson to go for a title, should they return from their respective NHL camps.

Some additions may come via unsigned draft picks. Several youngsters will be in town later this month for a three day mini camp.

As for the goalie situation? Well, Franky Palazzese wants, and deserves, to play more. Ideally he'd like to stay here, but it's his fourth OHL season and he needs to start. His fate in Kitchener depends on John Gibson's status. If the Rangers acquire some big guns, Palazzese may opt to stay here in a backup role to go for a title.

Off-season begins

Everyone keeps asking me what I'll be doing during the off-season. Truth is, there isn't much of one with the Kitchener Rangers.

Lots of news and notes to pass along, after a four-day hiatus.

So, let's get to it.

Every team suffers injuries and the Rangers were no different. Andrew Crescenzi was playing at 50 per cent while nursing a shoulder injury, Radek Faksa had an injured wrist, Eric Ming dealt with a charley horse and Michael Catenacci had an assortment of ailments throughout the post-season.

Like what you saw from the organizational side this year? That's good, because there will be no staff changes this summer on East Ave.

Injured defenceman Evan McEneny (knee) would have returned had the Rangers made it to the OHL championship against Niagara.

Forward Matia Marcantuoni (shoulder) is also progressing nicely. Both are back skating again.

Kitchener has had success luring NCAA guys to town. But 2010 sixth round selection Scott Mayfield is no longer in the team's plans. The team has had on-going dialogue with agents for Zachary Aston-Reese, Matt Peca and Jake Trouba.

Inking winger Justin Bailey, who has a verbal commitment to Michigan State,  is one of the team's highest priorities right now.

Current Rangers who didn't score much in the post-season have been challenged to up the ante for next season. Competition for jobs will be fierce.

Catenacci off to Germany

Ex-Kitchener Rangers captain Michael Catenacci has inked a deal with Dusseldorf of the German Elite League.

The Woodbridge native was selected in the 8th round of the 2008 draft and played parts of five seasons with the Rangers.

Catenacci was second in team playoff scoring with 26 points in 16 games, this past season.

The 21-year-old was not drafted into the NHL but his style of play, speed and offensive touch makes him a natural for a pro career in Europe.