Rangers Report

Rangers-Spirit

What a day.

First, apologies for the late post.

I like to get something up while the game is running but the site that hosts my blog was blocked by the Dow Event Center in Saginaw. I guess they don’t like out-of-towners.

How to describe the, ahem, arena in Saginaw? Kinda feels like a half finished basement. Low roof, dark and it’s under construction. The pressbox was standing room only which made working interesting to say the least. 

The drive up was rainy and gloomy, but I was still pumped about my first road trip with the club. 

It was Saginaw's home opener and the 4,103 in attendance was generous. Looked more like 3,500 or less.

Too bad Rangers defenceman, Cody Sol wasn’t here. I’m told the blueliner – who spent three seasons with the Spirit - is not a fan favourite.

Food in the media room: KFC, pizza, sandwiches and donuts. Better start exercising. Got a kick out of the donuts, which with coated in Ranger coloured sprinkles.

Eric Ming and Andrew Crescenzi made their debut tonight. Ming had been sidelined with a rib injury while Crescenzi suffered a thumb injury while at Toronto Maple Leafs training camp.

Line combos for Friday’s game were:

Rieder-Catenacci-Marcantuoni
Thomson-Crescenzi-Ming
Lorentz-Faksa-Hasson
Pedersen-Meighan-Francisco

McEneny-Jasper
Iafrate-Gilbert
Fanelli-Young 

Rangers winger Brett Clampitt made a brief return, skating for the Kitchener Dutchmen in the Junior B loop, but suffered his second concussion earlier this week.

Defenceman Julian Melchiori was assigned to the Jets AHL team the St. John’s IceCaps.

Rangers 4, Saginaw 1

Puck points:

- Another great effort from John Gibson in goal. The guy just always seems to be in position and bailed the Rangers out several times. 

 - Curtis Meighan was great short-handed and had a good scoring chance with a man down.

- Max Iafrate showed restraint with 1:07 left when Garret Ross tried to coax him into a fight.

- Big three-point night for Radek Faksa. He was so happy after the game. The guys gave him a hard time, in a friendly way, when I requested an interview.

- Matia Marcantuoni could be the fastest guy in the OHL. Second straight game where a scout from an opposing team has raved about his speed.

In case you missed it:

Tobias Rieder weighs in on Oktoberfest and his season.

Spott and U of Michigan coach talk about Trouba's verbal commitment to the Wolverines.

Off to the Soo tomorrow.

Back in the saddle

Back in the office after a few days off to move into a new house.

No internet access at the new place yet, so could not post to the blog.

Lots to catch up on, that's for sure.

I spoke with Brent Pedersen and Curtis Meighan about scoring their first OHL goals earlier this week. It's here, in case you missed it.

Pretty cool to have your photo taken soon after scoring your first career OHL goal (see right).

Defenceman Ryan Murphy did not play for the Carolina Hurricanes in their 3-1 loss to the Jets last night. He's still with the club and has not been returned to the Rangers, as of this morning.

The CHL rankings were released. London went from unranked to No. 2 overall. Kind of ambitious since the team is just 2-0-0-0. But it's early.

Bad news for the Rangers as 2010 third round selection Jacob Trouba has verbally committed to the University of Michigan for next season. I guess that's pay back for the Rangers scooping up goalie John Gibson, who was slated to be a Wolverine.

Anything can happen though and we may yet see Trouba in Rangers blue.

Off to Saginaw and the Soo in the next two days for my first road trip. Check back here for dispatches from the rinks.

Oh, did you know that German import Tobias Rieder has his own Lederhosen? It's true. Check tomorrow's paper for more.

Murphy watch

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Ryan Murphy is making a strong case to stick with the Carolina Hurricanes.

After a slow start (minus-3, no points in his first two pre-season games), Murphy rebounded for an assist and a plus-3 rating in Sunday's 4-0 shutout over the Winnipeg Jets.

That was enough for coach Paul Maurice to give the blueliner another start for the 'Canes.

And Murphy's future is also being debated over at the Hurricanes blog at the newsobserver.com.

Looks like Murphy has switched to No. 38 in Carolina.

No 24, his usual number, is being worn by teammate Bobby Sanguinetti.

Fanelli's return

In case you missed it. By the way, his folks Sue and Frank were at the game.

 

Celebrating victory

Big 4-3 win for the Rangers last night. Nothing like a good comeback.

Here are two shots from the game for your enjoyment. First up is Tobi Rieder celebrating the game winner. Following that, is the end of the game celebration.

 
 

Rangers-Spits Opening Night

Pretty quiet in the Aud right now. That will change fast.

It looks like everyone is getting cardboard noisemakers with the Rangers logo on them. The fold up gizmos are draped on every seat in the house.

Lines:

Rieder-Catenacci-Thomson
Marcantuoni-Faksa-Lorentz
Francisco-Hasson-Meighan
Pedersen-Sterk-Lesway

Fanelli-Genovese
Gilbert-Iafrate
McEneny-Jasper

Gibson in goal.

Lots of switching already with the lines. 

Puck points:

- Defenceman Even McEneny has carried over his hot pre-season play. Two assists in the first period and some much needed grit in the Rangers' end.

- Tough one for goalie John Gibson. Looks like goal that put Windsor up 3-2 went off Jonathan Jasper's skate. Jasper gave the netminder the old "my bad" tap on the pads after the marker.

- The glass shattered right by the Windsor bench when Matia Marcantuoni was checked into it about two minutes into the third period. It doesn't look like anyone was hurt on the play.

- After starting the game at a blazing pace, the Rangers really slowed down in the final two periods.

- Really impressed with Gibson tonight. He turned away 36 shots and made it look easy.

- A nice touch by the Rangers. Minutes after they were off the ice, the team signed autographs in the dressing room for  steady line of kids.

Feeling the excitement?

The Kitchener Rangers season starts tonight at the Aud against the visiting Windsor Spitfires. The first faceoff is at 7:30 p.m.

It will be an interesting season for the Rangers. This year’s edition will be young. As trainer Dan Lebold said: “we won’t be going through a lot of razors this year.”

Half the team is gone from last season. And all-star defenceman Ryan Murphy is still with the Carolina Hurricanes. Cody Sol seems destined for the AHL.

Head coach Steve Spott says the team will rely on energy and hard work to make up for the skill lost to graduating players.

Read the season outlook here.

Expect big changes off the ice as well. The Rangers shelled out the big bucks to purchase a state-of-the-art light show that will debut tonight.

And don’t miss the Ten Questions segment that also ran in today’s paper.

How will it go tonight? Well I expect it to be loud. I also expect Ben Fanelli to get a rousing reception when his name is announced. Probably even a standing ovation.

As for past years, here’s how it went down:

2010: Kitchener 5, Saginaw 2. Tobias Rieder scores in his Rangers’ debut but it’s Gabriel Landeskog who steals the show with a hat trick.

2009: Kitchener 6, Kingston 5. The Rangers rally from a 5-3 hole late in the second period to steal the game. Jason Akeson scores a hat trick (feeling a trend here?).

2008: Kitchener 4, Plymouth 2. Two goals and an assist for rookie Jeff Skinner.

2007: Kitchener 7, Owen Sound 2. Mikkel Boedker snags a goal and two assists. Josh Unice picks up the win.

2006: Sault Ste. Marie 3, Kitchener 2. Mike Duco pots a pair. Nick Spaling misses a penalty shot in the third period that would have put the Rangers up 3-2.

Meet Radek Faksa

 
 
Kitchener's newest import player was happy to score a goal in the team's final pre-season game but he made it clear on Wedneaday that he "wants to score in a real game."

The Czech-born forward is adjusting well to Canada and the Rangers and told me that he was surprised by the level of fan support in the region.

Catch up on Faksa here.

The Rangers have had a hit and miss relationship with their imports in the past five years.

HITS:

Gabriel Landeskog (2009-11): The Swede had two productive seasons with the Rangers and was team captain before being drafted second overall by the Colorado Avalanche in this year's NHL draft.

Mikkel Boedker (2007-08): The Rangers only got one season out of the Danish forward but it was a good one - Boedker finished second in team scoring with 73 points. Phoenix drafted him 8th overall and he spent the next year in the NHL, collecting 28 points in 78 games. Still waiting for his NHL breakout.

Yannick Weber (2006-08): The Swiss defenceman had two solid years in Kitchener, including a 20-goal season in his final year in town. He now belongs to the Montreal Canadiens.

Jakub Kindl (2007-07): The Czech blue-liner gave the Rangers three great years. After toiling in the AHL, he hopes to claim a roster spot with the Detroit Red Wings this season.

MISSES:

Patrik Andersson (2009-10): The Swedish defenceman lasted just one season with the Rangers before returning to Sweden. He failed to score a goal over 55 games.

Simon Gronvaldt (2008-09): Another Euro defender who only played one year. The Danish rearguard had nine points in 61 games before moving on to play for Barrie, Niagara and Belleville.

JURY'S OUT:

Tobias Rieder (2010-12): The German winger returns for his second season with the Rangers after spending part of training camp with the Edmonton Oilers. He had a solid debut with 49 points in 65 games in his first year. The Rangers are expecting an increase in production this season.

In other news, it's a win-win for Rangers defenceman Julian Melchiori. The big man is coming back to Kitchener but has impressed the Winnipeg Jets.

Meanwhile, goalie John Gibson (Anaheim) and centre Andrew Crescenzi (Toronto) have been reassigned to the Rangers.

Eric Ming remains out with a leg injury, Crescenzi has an ailing wrist and Brett Clampitt is still out due to a concussion.

Scheifele sensational

Let's give some love to Kitchener native Mark Scheifele who busted out with four points in his Winnipeg Jets home debut - a 6-1 exhitibion win over Columbus.

With numbers like that, the forward may not return to the Barrie Colts.

He earned first star as the crowd chanted his name. And that's not an easy last name to chant.

The newspapers in Winnipeg are going gaga over their prized rookie.

Rangers blue-liner Julian Melchiori played about 15 minutes for the Jets in the team's other split squad game. He didn't get any points but his plus/minus was even in the 5-1 loss.

As for the Rangers, I just got back from a sit down with import Radek Faksa.

A story on the rookie will appear in tomorrow's paper.

He's a really nice kid and is enjoying his time with the club so far.

His English is very limited but improving daily. I'm told he could barely say a word when he arrived a month ago and now he's stringing together sentences.

Aston-Reese back in USHL

Just a quick one to start off the morning.

Looks like Zachary Aston-Reese is back with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL. He played in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Omaha.

Earlier this year Rangers coach Steve Spott said the team just couldn't offer the forward a deal at this time. The club still owns his rights, acquired from the Soo in the off-season.

Meanwhile, forward Tobias Rieder was one of nine cuts made by the Edmonton Oilers. Ben Thomson is back from San Jose's camp as well.

Good news for defenceman Julian Melchiori, looks like he is getting the start tonight for the Jets against Columbus.

Goal guardians

It has been a bit of a revolving door in the crease for the Rangers of late.

This year's squad sees two goalies make their debut - John Gibson and Frank Palazzese.

Here is a look at the ten goalies who have donned the uniform in the past five years.

From left to right: Parker Van Buskirk, John Gibson, Charles Lavigne, Steve Mason, Brandon Maxwell, Mike Morrison, John Murray, Frank Palazzese, Mavric Parks and Josh Unice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farm report

I hope to do a weekly blog on how future Rangers are doing on various teams around North America.

Most leagues have yet to get under way, but there is some news to report.

Defenceman Jacob Trouba (2010 third rounder) picked up two assists in Team USA's 7-2 thrashing over the Youngstown Phantoms in the club's USHL opener. He was also plus-one.

Blue-liner John Owen Stewart, a sixth round selection this year, had an assist in Gloucester’s 5-4 win over Cumberland in Central Canada Junior Hockey League action Friday.

It was a tough weekend for the Abitibi Eskimos in the Northern Ontario junior hockey loop. The team was outscored 16-5 over three games. But winger, and 2010 12th round pick, Jordan Delaurier had two assists.

John Gibson is one of six goalies at Anaheim’s NHL camp. He's already being talked about as a possible successor to netminder Jonas Hiller.

And, from the weekend, Rangers forward Michael Hasson discusses the battle for OA spots.

Rangers-Wolves

Players just hit the ice for warm-up.

It's Franky Palazzese in goal, I'm told, for the entire game tonight.

Worked this afternoon out at the University of Waterloo covering football. The Warriors lost to York 20-18 in OT. It was York's first win in about FOUR years. Rangers fans sure are spoiled.

OK, back to hockey. It sure would be nice to see some of the rookies - Pedersen, Gilbert and Sterk - step up tonight with so many vets out at NHL camps.

Marcantuoni and Hasson wearing the A.

I don't see Francisco on the ice, could be getting treatment. I will keep you posted. Oh wait, there he is. All good.

Lines:

Lorentz-Hasson-Faksa
Marcantuoni-Catenacci-Francisco
Lesway-Meighan-Pedersen
Grant-Sterk-rotating extra

Iafrate-Genovese
Gilbert-McEneny
Young-Fanelli

Puck points:

- Before Franky Palazzese allowed three goals in less than a minute, he was looking really solid in net.

- I like the defensive combo of Max Iafrate and Ben Fanelli. Certainly not the fastest duo, but they seem to play well off each other.

- This is Evan McEneny's best game to date. He has good speed and is showing good puck control.

- Brandon Francisco has also looked sharp, delivering a few beautiful passes that didn't get converted into goals.

- Cory Genovese scored the first fight victory for the Rangers in the pre-season when he took on, and took out, Scott Mitchell

Murphy locks up deal with 'Canes

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Ryan Murphy inked a three-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes today.

Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has been impressed with the blue-liner all camp and locked up the rookie to an entry-level contract that pays Murphy$832,500 in the NHL or $70,000 if he gets sent back to the OHL.

There is also a $277,500 signing bonus.

The good news for Rangers fans is that if Murphy doesn't make the NHL club, he can't be sent to the AHL, he'll have to return to the Rangers.

But 'Canes management is raving about Murphy and will give him every shot to make the big club.

It could be a long year on defence for the Rangers.

Ming sidelined and other notes

Forward Eric Ming won't be in Saturday's lineup against the visiting Sudbury Wolves.

The winger is nursing a hip injury.

Brett Clampitt also remains out. The forward suffered a concussion against London in exhibition action last week.

He did his concussion protocol test but his numbers are not up to par and he has not been given the green light to return.

Brandon Francisco, who was out with a sore rib, will be back on the ice Saturday.

Of note, Ben Thomson has been invited to San Jose's main training camp.

And Cody Sol pretty much looks like a lock not to return to the Rangers. A big loss - literally - from the blue line.

Friday morning headlines

Back in the saddle.

Looks like Rangers defenceman Cody Sol wants to play in St. John's (AHL) and not Kitchener, according to this story in the Winnipeg Sun.

Rangers forward Ben Thomson got on the board for the San Jose Sharks in a recent loss to Vancouver.

Haven't heard anything of significance on Tobias Rieder out in Edmonton.

More comments from 'Canes GM Jim Rutheford on Ryan Murphy sticking with the team.

Palazzese impresses

An off day for me, but I thought I'd throw a couple stories up that ran this week.

First, catch Mike Catenacci's thoughts on being named captain. I have to tell ya, he was mighty happy to get the 'C' and anxious to call his folks, Enzo and Enza, to spread the good news.

And it turns out I'm not the only one who has been impressed with the play of backup goalie Frank Palazzese. His strong performance in the pre-season has made the coaching staff take notice.

Gibson is still the starter and don't read too much into his seven goal debut. As goaltender coach Piero Greco said, he's a second round NHL pick for a reason. And Gibson has been bothered by a groin issue for a while, so he's a bit behind in training camp. Working in Anaheim should get him ready for the home opener.

Nonetheless, Palazzese's steadiness is a good problem to have heading into the season. Spott said he wants both of his goalies to push one another all year.

NHL camp updates

Carolina GM Jim Rutherford says Rangers defenceman Ryan Murphy and fell0w blue-liner Justin Faulk are the two most impressive prospects at camp.

That makes me believe Murph will be invited to the main camp.

The Toronto Maple Leafs went 2-0-1 in their rookie tournament and every member of the camp,  including Andrew Crescenzi, was invited to the main gathering.

Big man Cody Sol came out on top in a scrap against Wes Vannieuwenhuizen in a rookie game between the Jets and Oilers. The Oil won 2-0 in the Tuesday tilt. Sol gets compared to Zdeno Chara in the Free Press.

Ben Thomson was on the fourth line of the San Jose Sharks rookie bunch on Monday night.

What's in a name?

Parker Van Buskirk.

I haven’t heard that name in ages, until it was mentioned in the comments section of this blog recently.

I always loved that guy’s name. The Bus, by the way, is listed on the men’s hockey roster at the University of Windsor for this season.

He played one season with the Rangers back in 2008-09. He went 20-25-5 and finished with a respectable 3.33 goals against average and .903 save percentage.

It got me thinking of Rangers names though. There have been some beauties over the years.

Van Buskirk (pictured right) pushed the limits on the back of the jersey but it wasn’t the longest last name by any stretch. That honour goes to Lou Berardicurti, Gordon and Sheldon Kannegiesser and Maxim Sharifijanov, who all own a 12-letter surname.

On the flip side, Brian Bye, Greg Foy, Cody Sol, Derek Roy and Billy Orr all saved space with their three-letter entries.

There was James Brown, not the singer. And Jim and Joel Brown. Oh, and Bill Browne too. They could clash with the Campbell clan of Greg, John, Ken and Les. Or faceoff with the Jones — Doug, Jim, Bob and two different Brians.

Three Barbers — Bill, Dan and John — have donned Rangers colours. But they never got a hold of Rod Hare.

Joe Birch could play on a forest themed unit with Matt Harpwood, Mark Packwood, Murray Roantree and Brad Woods.

A food group includes Paul Coffey, Myles Applebaum and Steve Rice.

Matt Passfield has a great hockey name, as does Chad Staats, though he didn’t live up to his, collecting two assists in 28 games.

And then there are a bunch that are just plain interesting.

My top five are: Sakari Ahlberg, Shamus Gregga, Devereaux Heshmatpour, Brian Soso and Pete Titanic.

Lopes let go

Ryan Lopes' time with the Kitchener Rangers has come to and end.

The team released the overage centre this afternoon. Lopes was on hand at the team's captain annoucement this afternoon signing autographs.

Lopes was acquired from the Sudbury Wolves last December for an eighth round pick in 2012. The Brampton native also played for the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.

He had three goals and one assist in 39 games for the Rangers last year.

That leaves Mike Catenacci, Julian Melchiori, John Jasper and Cody Sol and Mike Hasson as overagers in camp.

The team can dress three overage players.