Rangers Report

Gibson earning his keep

It was another fantastic effort by goalie John Gibson last night.

The reigning CHL goalie of the week held the London Knights to a single goal and made 42 saves in Kitchener's 2-1 victory. It was a big win for a team that blew a 2-2 tie in the final minute and lost to Windsor Thursday.

Remarkably, the club is 3-1 but has yet to score an even strength goal in four games and an overtime period. It's a  stat you'll hear a lot about in this space until they find the net. Think about it, that's 245 minutes without scoring while five-on-five.

You get the feeling that they're due to erupt at some point. Until then, the streak lives.

A bonus quote for you on a Saturday morning. Captain Ryan Murphy on Gibson: "He's like having a third defenceman back there."

 

Kitchener 2, London 1

 

Man, that's a long lonely drive home from Windsor. Glad the roadie is just to London tonight.

It'll be a big test for the Rangers to see how they respond after losing a tough 4-2 game in the final minute last night against the Spitfires.

Kitchener is still looking for its first even strength goal this season. Didn't think I'd be typing that line three games into the schedule.

John Gibson goes between the pipes for the Rangers against the Knights.

Highlights from last night's tilt are above, including a look at Pat Sieloff's hit on Justin Bailey, who was caught with his head down in the neutral zone. Sieloff, a Calgary Flames draft pick, was given a charging penalty and a game misconduct.

Kitchener's combos for tonight:

Puempel-Faksa-Rieder
Thomson-Alberga-Ming
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Czinder
Sterk-Meighan-Lesway

Hanes-Murphy
Fanelli-Iafrate
Genovese-Gilbert

Bailey suffered a concussion last night and is out indefinitely. He is currently in Buffalo attending USA Hockey's prospects game, but not playing.

Defenceman Evan McEneny is also sidelined with a lower body injury. It is not considered serious. The team is sitting him for precautionary reasons tonight.

As for the Knights:

M. Rupert-R. Rupert-Griffith
Horvat-Domi-Broadhurst
Welychka-Tierney-Anderson
Elie-Platzer-Restoule

Maatta-Hughes
Ferry-Harrington
Zadorov-Raine

Kevin Bailie goes in net.

Game summary

Puck points:

- That was one exciting finish. The JLC, er, Budweiser Gardens was electric in the final minutes while the Knights searched for the equalizer with a 6-on-4 advantage.

- The mood in the dressing room was obviously upbeat, as all the players felt this offered a bit of redemption after being swept by London in the playoffs last April.

- Goalie John Gibson made 42 saves against a team averaging eight goals a game. Enough said. I'm not sure how the Rangers don't ride him until this saving machine slows down.

- Still no goals at even strength - that's 12 periods and an overtime and counting.

- PP went 2-for-4 and is second best in the OHL. The penalty killing is perfect at 17-0. Pretty odd, considering both struggled mightily in the early part of last season.

- Thought the cross checking penalty on Ryan Hanes with about two minutes to go was a bit of an aggressive call. Wasn't the only one who felt that way in the press box.

- Eric Ming and Ben Thomson both blocked key shots late in the game and generally showed a lot of hustle tonight.

- In case you're not on Twitter and missed my Tweet, Tobias Rieder was wearing a cage to protect a cut on his face suffered against Windsor Thursday.

JB's top three Rangers: John Gibson, Matt Puempel, Eric Ming

Windsor 4, Kitchener 2

Time to hit the road once again.

This time, the Rangers are in Windsor, before taking on London tomorrow.

The Spits made news in the off-season when they were fined $400,000 and had five future top picks taken away for violating recruitment policies. The team appealed the decision and has since had the punishment reduced to a $250,000 fine, while losing four draft picks - first rounders next year and in 2016 and second round selections in 2015 and '17.

Kitchener and Windsor have recent history as well. The clubs swapped players beore the season started. The Rangers sent import Juraj Bezuch for overagers Nick Czinder and Jeff Braithwaite, the latter opted to retire from the OHL.

The Spits also picked up Kitchener native Derek Schoenmakers from the Sudbury Wolves in a bid to add some grit, scoring punch and leadership. And Schoenmakers has embraced the overager role.

Kitchener lines:

Thomson-Faksa-Rieder
Puempel-Alberga-Czinder
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Ming
Llewellyn-Meighan-Bailey

Murphy-Hanes
Fanelli-McEneny
Iafrate-Genovese

Franky Palazzese gets his first start of the season. It's also Llewellyn's first start.

Windsor:

Rychel-Clarke-Ho-Sang
Johnson-Vail-Marchese
Clark-Maletta-Schoenmakers
Bezuch-Studnicka-Bilcke

Posa-Ebert
Sieloff-Devlin
Sanvido-McNaughton

Jaroslav Pavelka gets the start.

I spoke with Slovakian Juraj Bezuch in the hallway outside the Spits' dressing room and he's happy to finally have a home.

The winger was the third import wheel in Kitchener and loved his time there but needed to find a team to play for. He's been shuffled around Windsor's lineup but has seen time with Kerby Rychel. He's hoping to collect his first point of the season against the Rangers.

As for Kitchener, it's a homecoming for forward Nick Czinder. He said it was weird walking in to the visiting team's dressing room. He added that it's easy to get pumped up to play his former club. Czinder is also looking for his point of the season.

Game summary

Puck points:

- Having computer issues tonight, so this one will be brief. A tough one to give up for the Rangers, who were smelling a road point, but lost with 43 seconds to go.

- Justin Bailey left the game in the third period after getting crushed at centre ice by Windsor defenceman Pat Sieloff. The blueliner was issued a charging penalty and tossed from the game. Bailey was down for a while and treated by trainer Dan Lebold and did not return. He had a welt on his forehead after the game, but was walking around.

- Ryan Murphy was also hobbling around with a sore ankle after blocking a shot. He must have played 30 minutes tonight.

- Not much action for the third and fourth lines in this one. Though, the line of Marcantuoni, Ming and Pedersen looked pretty good from my seat.

- A tough loss for Franky Palazzese. That game winner came as a result of a bunch of Ranger mistakes that started in the Spits' end.

- Didn't see much from Windsor prospect Josh Ho-Sang. I wonder if his top line status will last.

- Curtis Meighan stepped in to fight Sieloff after the hit on Bailey. That might be Meighan's first hockey fight.

- Cory Genovese also dropped the gloves and more than held his own against last year's league leading bruiser Ty Bilcke.

- Ben Fanelli took his third minor penalty which is uncharacteristic for the blueliner. He had 30 PIMS all of last year.

JB's top three Rangers: Brent Pedersen, Max Iafrate, Franky Palazzese

Veteran presence

The Kitchener Rangers' power play received a huge boost yesterday, if only for a few hours.

NHL veteran Dennis Wideman showed up to practise with the lads in a bid to keep in shape during the lockout. Ex-Rangers forward, and Boston Bruins property, Tyler Randell also took in the workout.

Wideman hails from Elmira but now lives in Waterloo.

As far as the Rangers go, look for the team to make a roster move or two today. Coach/GM Steve Spott wants to get his roster down.

Big action in the next two days for the club. Windsor on the road, which is always a tough one, and then they take on a well rested London Knights squad Friday. London, now playing at the Bud Gardens, is averaging eight goals a game.

In non-Rangers news, the Waterloo minor hockey community is rallying around six-year-old Nolan Melchin who is battling brain cancer. Get on out to Al McCormick Arena on Saturday, if you can.

***

The CHL rankings came out this afternoon. Kitchener is up a spot and into fourth overall.

1. Quebec Remparts
2. Edmonton Oil Kings
3. London Knights
4. Kitchener Rangers
5. Halifax Mooseheads
6. Portland Winterhawks
7. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
8. Kamloops Blazers
9. Belleville Bulls
10. Calgary Hitmen

Honourable mention: Rimouski Oceanic, Oshawa Generals, Saskatoon Blades

 

Odds and ends

The Kitchener Rangers had a day off from practice Monday, so it's kind of a slow news day.

But there is plenty going on in the hockey world.

In case you missed my Tweet, looks like some hijinx up in Peterborough. According to Petes beat writer Mike Davies of the Peterborough Examiner, the team got in some hot water over a prank gone wrong.

Turns out a few Petes staged a home invasion on one of their teammates, complete with fake guns and masks. No word if former Rangers forward Zach Lorentz was involved. The story has gone viral in the hockey world.

How about the news out of Edmonton? Could Oilers draft pick, and Rangers winger, Tobias Rieder make his NHL debut in a Seattle sweater?

And who needs the NHL anyway? A company out of Tulsa is launching the bikini hockey league where bathing suit beauties compete on two in-line hockey teams. The league already has reps from Guelph, Oshawa and the London area. No Waterloo Region presence, yet.

Some Rangers news though, defenceman Jesse Young has been sent to the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen. That leaves eight blueliners on the main squad - Ryan Murphy, Ryan Hanes, Ben Fanelli, Max Iafrate, Owen Stewart, Cory Genovese, Jared Gilbert and Evan McEneny.

A perfect start

A few hiccups yesterday in Sarnia, but the Kitchener Rangers pulled out a 3-2 shootout victory to remain perfect (2-0) to start the season.

The club blanked Mississauga Friday night 3-0 in its season opener.

Newcomer Matt Puempel has started out on fire with three goals in two games (four if you count his shootout marker in Sarnia). He's certainly making an early bid to earn an invite to Canada's world junior team tryouts.

Here's how they saw the game in Sarnia.

Two tough games this week, first in Windsor (1-1) Thursday and then off to London (2-0) Friday. The Knights have outscored the competition 16-4.

Lots of ex-Rangers doing well.

Brandon Francisco has eight points in seven games for the Newmarket Hurricanes. Stephen Midensky has more points (1) than Ryan Murphy. Quebec Remparts are at 2-0. And Zach Lorentz is a point per game with the Peterborough Petes.

Kitchener 3, Sarnia 2 (SO)

All settled in the pressbox at the RBC Centre. The Rangers fan bus and team bus just pulled in. Heading down to see what's new in a minute.

In the meantime, in case you missed my Tweet (BrownRecord) from yesterday, ex-Rangers defenceman Stephen Midensky has been told by Quebec Remparts owner Patrick Roy that he will remain with the club for the rest of the season. Nice to see Midensky land on his feet.

Kitchener lines:

Thomson-Faksa-Rieder
Puempel-Alberga-Czinder
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Ming
Bailey-Sterk-Lesway

Murphy-Hanes
Fanelli-McEneny
Iafrate-Genovese

Gibson in goal, Palazzese backing him up.

Sarnia:

Boucher-Sarault-Hargrave
Brown-Galchenyuk-Dundas
Goldobin-Nikandrov-Latta
Addesi-Renaud

DeAngelo-Murphy
Chapman-Duininck
Nemecek-Kuzmyk
DiPaolo

Anderson in net

Game summary

Puck points:

- Ex-Rangers forward Zach Lorentz had a goal and an assist in Peterborough's 4-3 win over Ottawa Saturday.

- What a wild one in Sarnia. Haven't seen that many scoring chances in ages. Sting keeper JP Anderson was amazing. Without him, that is easily a five-goal game for the Rangers.

- It was so lopsided that it seemed as though Kitchener was on the power play for long stretches of the game. It could be a long year in Sarnia. Anderson can only bail out the team so much.

- Special teams was such a bust last year, but so far the PK and PP have been sizzling for the Rangers. Kitchener has the best penalty kill and second best power play in the league. Yes, it's early, but I pointed out its deficencies last year, so it's only fair to applaud it now.

- Kitchener's forechecking was fantastic. Really good hustle and puck movement by a bunch of guys but I'll single out the Nick Czinder, Domenic Alberga and Matt Puempel line.

- It's going to be tough to beat Kitchener in shootouts this season. Rieder, Murphy, Marcantuoni, Faksa, Puempel -- a fearsome fivesome.

- There are a lot of extra bodies on this roster. Injuries do happen, so it's good to have some back up, but something has to give soon. Too many talented guys dressed in suits and in the stands.

JB's top three Rangers: Matt Puempel, Nick Czinder, Matia Marcantuoni

Kitchener 3, Mississauga 0

We're hours away from the start of the season. Looking forward to seeing how many fans make the road trip to the Hershey Centre.

The Rangers' bus is going to see a lot of mileage early on with the club playing eight consecutive road games to kick off the year. The team isn't worried and has a good outlook on the year ahead.

Still, there are several issues facing the Rangers with 68 games to go and you can check it out in the feature 10 Questions.

No huge surprises last night, save maybe Owen Sound dumping Windsor 6-1. Kitchener native Mark Scheifele leads the OHL scoring race after a four point night in Barrie's 6-4 win over Ottawa.

As for now ex-Kitchener Rangers defenceman Stephen Midensky, he impressed with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL and has secured a deal with the club.

The Rangers don't get any compensation for him since he cleared waivers. But they didn't give anything up to acquire him in the first place as he was a free agent signing last year.

I suppose he'll be off to Edmonton if it doesn't work out, to complete the trifecta of playing for a top team in every CHL league. The Remparts are ranked No. 1 in Canada.

John Gibson gets the start for Kitchener with Jack Moylan backing him up. Frank Palazzese is out with a minor injury.

Line combos:

Puempel-Faksa-Rieder
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Ming
Bailey-Alberga-Czinder
Sterk-Meighan-Schmalz

Murphy-Hanes
McEneny-Fanelli
Genovese-Iafrate

Mississauga:

Burnside-Brace-Cobbold
MacIntyre-Kontos-Teskey
Bourne-Foy-Goldberg
Duhaime-Babintsev-Kopstals

Carrick-Percy
Cord-DeMelo
Diodati-Graves

Martin

Game summary

Puck points:

- I talked with Franky Palazzese before tonight's game (bruised knee) for the first time since last year's post-season. And his stance hasn't changed. He said he has immense respect for goalie John Gibson, that he's not the type of guy to walk in and demand a trade but that he wants to be a No. 1 goalie in his 19-year-old season.

If Kitchener goes out and grabs a load of top end talent to stack the team for a Memorial Cup run, he said he'd obviously have to reevaluate, but said it's time for him to be a starter. Can't really blame the guy after the season he turned in last year - 20 wins, .927 save percentage.

- Ex-Kitchener Rangers centre Andrew Crescenzi took in the game.

- Who knew the bagel would come so early? Last year, John Gibson and Franky Palazzese combined for one shutout in the regular season. Gibson's time with Team USA in the summer has paid dividends. He looked really focused.

- Loved the energy of the second line early on.

- Matt Puempel is going to score a ton. He probably should have had three goals tonight.

- Just when I thought Radek Faksa was struggling, he scores. Seems to be his story - always in the right place at the right time, not by accident.

- This year's edition of the Rangers still has the speed they showed last year. Mississauga had trouble keeping pace.

- Max Iafrate dropped Eric Diodati with one punch during their fight. A little showmanship after, but at least he didn't pile on and deliver additional blows.

- The penalty killers were amazing and stopped six power plays.

- Ryan Hanes and Dom Alberga played like true veterans tonight. Lots of ice time, energy and smart plays. It's amazing to watch the difference between guys who have been in the league for years compared to the newcomers.

JB's top three Rangers: John Gibson, Radek Faksa, Matt Puempel

Time to drop the puck

Seems like yesterday that I was leaving the Aud after doing some season ending interviews and here we are, a day away from another year of Kitchener Rangers hockey.

The OHL kicks off tonight with four games. Kitchener opens on the road in Mississauga tomorrow, minus Ben Thomson, who is serving a one game suspension from the final playoff game against London last May.

Speaking of suspensions, the OHL is cracking down on fighters. Duke it out more than 10 times and you'll be hit with a two game suspension. It was one of a few rule changes made by the league in the off-season.

Also, be sure and check out how all the teams in the league stack up in my OHL preview.

On a side note, you know it's time for hockey when you start dreaming about the job. Last night, I had a weird one where I was covering the Rangers against the Quebec Remparts and the stands were full of Rangers fans. The local announcers were in awe that so many fans travelled to Quebec for an exhibition game.

Rangers get respect

The season hasn't even started and Kitchener is already getting some love from the CHL.

The Rangers are fifth in the country, according to pre-season rankings.

Here's how the CHL sees it:

1. Quebec Remparts (good timing for Midensky)
2. Edmonton Oil Kings
3. London Knights
4. Portland Winterhawks
5. Kitchener Rangers
6. Halifax Mooseheads
7. Plymouth Whalers (have them winning OHL western conference)
8. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
9. Saskatoon Blades
10. Oshawa Generals (yikes, have them mid pack in the east)

Honourable mentions: Moncton Wildcats, Kamloops Blazers, Belleville Bulls

Midensky off to QMJHL

Defenceman Stephen Midensky has cleared waivers and is off to try out for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL.

The 18-year-old blueliner left this morning, leaving the Rangers with nine rearguards on the roster.

Midensky came aboard as a free agent midway through last season from the Markham Waxers and had no points in 21 games for the Rangers.

A hip injury limited his action in the pre-season but he is healthy now.

If it works out he'll remain with Patrick Roy's Remparts, if not, he may be back in Kitchener.

"It's tough, it's a competitive business," said Rangers GM/coach Steve Spott. "He's a great kid. That's why we said if it doesn't work out in Quebec, he can come back and start with the Dutchmen (Jr. B) and work his way back up to us."

Another side to Murphy

We've all seen the offensive juggernaut that is Ryan Murphy.

But there is more to the new Kitchener Rangers captain. He isn't just a one-dimensional guy who's locked in on scoring.

Check out another side of Murph, one that reveals his desire to become a well rounded player, his commitment to become a pro and read how he has leaned on former NHL tough guy Kris King for advice during his rise in the junior ranks.

As for perks of being named captain? Not too many, according to Murphy. Though, players with the 'C' do get to choose the music played during off-ice pre-game warmups. Last year's boss Michael Catenacci was a big techno guy. Murphy says it'll be a mix of country and pop music this year.

Meanwhile, three Rangers have cracked the NHL's Central Scouting prospect list. Forward Justin Bailey grabbed A status while wingers Josh Sterk and Brent Pedersen garnered C status.

Captain Murphy

Defenceman Ryan Murphy has been named the 48th captain in Kitchener Rangers history.

He takes over from Michael Catenacci, whom he credited, among others, as an influence.

Four assistants to be named later this afternoon at practice. My feeling is Tobias Rieder, Matt Puempel, Ben Thomson and Ben Fanelli. UPDATE: those four were indeed named assistants.

Murphy, a 2011  first round draft pick by the Carolina Hurricanes, had 11 goals and 43 assists in 49 games last year for the Rangers.

In other news, rookie forward Justin Bailey did not skate with the team, but did hit the ice after practice today. He is nursing a sore wrist after being slammed into the boards against Barrie in the team's final exhibition game. An MRI was taken and was negative.

Lines at practice included:

Thomson-Faksa-Rieder
Czinder-Alberga-Puempel
Pedersen-Marcantuoni-Ming
Sterk-Meighan-Schmalz-Lesway-Llewellyn

10 guys on defence - Murphy, Fanelli, Hanes, McEneny, Iafrate, Genovese, Young, Midensky, Gilbert and Stewart

Captain en route

Lots on the go this week with the season opener days away.

The Kitchener Rangers will name their captain Tuesday morning at a private Sun Life event.

Be sure and review the candidates.

It's Mississauga in the first game on Friday. Looking forward to seeing how the Steelheads run their organization in comparison to the Majors.

Earlier this week, I had heard whispers that former Rangers centre Andrew Crescenzi may be coming back to Kitchener.

And while that option exists, the chances are slim, very slim. About the only way he returns is if he completely tanks with the Toronto Marlies. And even then, he will be given every opportunity to rebound with the American Hockey League franchise, and Toronto Maple Leafs farm team.

I spoke with Jim Hughes today about the various scenarios and here are the Leafs' director of player development's comments:

"It's doubtful," he said. "Kitchener has done a wonderful job developing players. Kitchener was a fantastic spot for Andrew.

"He has worked so hard and is so physically fit and strong that it's time to play at the next level. Andrew had a good junior career but he needs to move his career forward and be in an environment where he can continue to develop.

Asked if the current NHL labour strife may create a log jam situation where it would make more sense to send Crescenzi back to the OHL, Hughes said:

"There is always that possibility of a log jam and we need to look at each individual case. In Andrew's case, he needs to play at a higher level. It's not an option for Andrew to go back to junior as far as we're concerned. He needs to play with men.

"He might not get minutes right away but he'll be in the right spot."

50 seasons and still going strong

It's anniversary time.

In case you didn't know, the Kitchener Rangers are celebrating their 50th anniversary. And while the 50th year isn't actually until 2013, it is the 50th season and they've chosen to kick off the party now.

In keeping pace, aside from the regular team coverage, The Record will be running montly features throughout the season that look at the five-decade long ride.

First up is the story of founder Eugene George, who was the engine on the team that brought the Rangers to town.

He helped convince the New York Rangers that they should move their struggling farm team from Guelph to Kitchener, made the team profitable and eventually bought the club for $1 and made it a community owned franchise.

George is quite a character. He's 82, still works every day and has fond memories of the first year, favourite players and quirks around the Aud from the early years.

***

Meanwhile, the Rangers finally won a pre-season tilt, barely holding on for a 6-4 win over Barrie last night.

But some good news for defenceman Evan McEneny, who inked a three-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks, despite playing just two games last season and being passed over in the NHL draft.

The Rangers now have eight players with ties to the NHL on their roster.

Kitchener 6, Barrie 4

If you haven't heard, Radek Faksa has been officially reassigned to the Kitchener Rangers. The team had a verbal commitment from the Stars, but anything can happen.

He's out of tonight's game wiht a nagging shoulder injury. I'm told it's nothing serious. Better to rest him now in anticipation of next week's season opener.

The team is still awaiting the fate of goalie John Gibson, who has a chance of landing in the AHL. It's likely that he stays put though. UPDATE: Gibson officially sent to OHL, not Norfolk.

Overage defenceman Ryan Hanes had a successful tryout with the Rangers and will remain with the club. The Rangers sent a 14th round conditional pick in next year's draft to Sudbury for the 20-year-old. If Hanes is on the club by Jan. 10th, or if the Rangers trade him before that time, that 14th pick turns into an eighth rounder in next year's draft.

But don't be surprised if the OA situation changes during the season. I'm hearing there is a chance forward Andrew Crescenzi may be coming back.

Lines for tonight:

Puempel-Sterk-Rieder
Thomson-Marcantuoni-Ming
Pedersen-Alberga-Czinder
Bailey-Meighan-Lesway

Hanes-Murphy
Fanelli-McEneny
Genovese-Iafrate

Gibson in net, but looks like Palazzese may come in partway through the match.

Puck points:

- As Don Cameron just told me, "now it's time to get serious." At least the Rangers picked up a win before the pre-season was done.

- Was thinking to myself before the game that Matt Puempel hasn't had a really good game yet and then he scores and adds two assists.

- Gibson and Palazzese each played half the game.  Gibson allowed a floater, while Palazzese let in three goals. To Franky's defence, the blueliners fell asleep in the third and allowed 20 shots, most of them quality.

- Justin Bailey was rocked into the boards early on, but remained in the game.

- A bunch of forwards finally woke up - Marcantuoni, Sterk, Ming, Czinder. Nice to see.

- Steve Spott juggled the lines throughout, in part because Domenic Alberga was tossed about five minutes in for fighting. Sterk was centring the top line and the fourth line at times.

- Barrie better hope Mathias Niederberger doesn't get hurt. Backup Alex Fotinos was not sharp.

Looking for a leader

It's that time of year again.

The Kitchener Rangers will name their new captain sometime this month. Last year, the announcement came after a Sun Life event soon after the team's final pre-season game.

There are lots of qualified candidates this year, as always. Be sure and check out the favourites and long shots.

The new captain will follow some good ones. Here is a sampling of the past five.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cut above

I've been going through some archives with the Kitchener Rangers 50th anniversary upon us and came across some great photos.

In part inspired by the history, in part inspired by Nick Czinder's do, I give you some classic Rangers cuts from over the years.

Points if you can name all these characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanes, not Hanes, joins Rangers

Met up with defenceman Ryan Hanes yesterday at Rangers' practice.

The overager is here on a five day tryout.

As it turns out, he is one of two Ryan Hanes in the CHL. The other, played for Kamloops in the WHL for the past four years.

He has decent size and isn't a flashy player but said he brings a physical presence, a good pass out of the zone and experience. He's a stay-at-home type of guy and the type of player that the Rangers covet.

The pressure is on though as he has just five days to impress management. From a reporter's perspective, I hope he makes the team, as he was a great interview.

Hanes had two goals and eight assists and was plus-seven for the Wolves last year.

Pre-season musings

It hasn't exactly been a memorable pre-season on the ice.

The Kitchener Rangers are 0-5 and have been outscored 21-10. Not exactly the "Memorial Cup" year everyone was expecting.

But hey, it's all exhibition action and none of this counts in the standings. That's the good news.  And let's be honest, the Rangers have sat some of their top guns throughout the run. But other teams have as well.

So what to make of it all? A few thoughts for a Monday morning.

- GM/coach Steve Spott has been masterful in acquiring four OAs (two active, one on trial and another whose rights they own) for basically nothing. You have to applaud his effort, especially turning Juraj Bezuch, who the team was going to have to waive, into forward Nick Czinder. And speaking of Czinder, getting a player like him in January would have cost the club WAY more.

- All that being said, last year's three OAs were arguably the team's best players, or at least three impact players. Not sure the same can be said yet. While the new guys deserve more of a leash, it's safe to say they're not going to impact the club like Michael Catenacci or Cody Sol did.

- I'm no GM and I appreciate their expertise. But from the sidelines, what seemed to work best last year were lines that had a bit of spice, scoring and hustle. Loading up all tough guys or skilled players on one line didn't mesh as well. As the team stands now, I'd like to see how a Thomson-Faksa-Rieder line and a Puempel-Alberga-Marcantuoni line would do over a few games.

- Fans hearing the Rangers throw around the Memorial Cup talk may be a bit frustrated with the lack of star acquisitions, but remain patient. Spott is always on the hunt for trades and his hands are tied a bit at the moment. The Rangers don't know if defenceman Ryan Murphy will return from the NHL, if the league ever figures out its labour dispute. Imagine if the club has to fill that void? At some point though, if the team wants to go for it, it's going to have to part with some prized picks and/or talent to land the big gun. This is likely it for Murphy, Gibson, Faksa, Rieder and Puempel. Sometimes you just have to go for it.

- Domenic Alberga was the best player on the ice in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Barrie, IMO. He's a hard worker and doesn't play it fancy. I also thought Evan McEneny stepped up and played with extreme poise for a guy with his experience.

- Forgot to mention this a while back, but Spott has said that Matt Puempel is an outside candidate for Canada's world junior team.