Kitchener Rangers - Feed https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/author/khynds/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:04:22 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 Kitchener Rangers Sign Forward Braden Reilly to Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-sign-forward-braden-reilly-to-ontario-hockey-league-scholarship-and-development-agreement Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:47:59 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-sign-forward-braden-reilly-to-ontario-hockey-league-scholarship-and-development-agreement Kitchener, Ont. — The Kitchener Rangers are proud to announce that 2026 first-round pick Braden Reilly has signed an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement. Reilly was selected by the Rangers in the first round, 19th overall, in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection. A forward from Milton, Ontario, Reilly spent last season with the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA program, where he served as an assistant captain and established himself as one of the top players in his age group. “We were very excited to select Braden in the first round,” said Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “He is a very talented player that can make plays and also use his shot and skill to put the puck in the net. We feel he has all the tools to be a top player in the age group and look forward to seeing him in a Ranger uniform.” Reilly, 16, born on May 12, 2010, is listed at five-foot-eleven and 157 pounds. During the 2025-26 season, he recorded 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 30 games with the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA, while adding two goals and two assists for four points in four OHL Cup games. “Signing with Kitchener means so much to me,” said Reilly. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great organization and I can’t wait to get started.” Growing up attending Kitchener Rangers games at The Aud, Reilly now joins the organization he watched as a young fan. The Kitchener Rangers welcome Braden Reilly and his family to the organization. ___ Join in the conversation on all things Rangers via social media by using the hashtag #RTown and #OHLRangers. Stay connected by following the Rangers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching @OHLRangers. For media inquiries, contact: Luca Lombardi  Manager, Communications and Community Relations Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club (416) 885-4510 llombardi@kitchenerrangers.com]]> Kitchener Rangers Sign Defenceman Dmitri Toporowski to OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-sign-defenceman-dmitri-toporowski-to-ohl-scholarship-and-development-agreement Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:16:08 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-sign-defenceman-dmitri-toporowski-to-ohl-scholarship-and-development-agreement KITCHENER, ON – The Kitchener Rangers announced today that the club has signed defenceman Dmitri Toporowski to an Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement. Toporowski, a 2006-born defenceman from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds and shoots right. The 20-year-old joins the Rangers after spending the 2025-26 season with the Quad City Storm of the SPHL, where he recorded eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 45 games, along with 102 penalty minutes. He also spent time with the Rochester Jr. Americans (three games) in the NAHL and the Tulsa Oilers (three games) in the ECHL. “Dmitri will provide some stability and experience to our defence group,” said Kitchener Rangers General Manager, Mike McKenzie. “He has had a unique path the last couple years and we think he can help provide some leadership and a solid two-way play to our group. We look forward to welcoming him to Kitchener.” Prior to his time in Quad City, Toporowski appeared in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels during the 2024-25 season, following stops with the La Ronge Ice Wolves and Melfort Mustangs of the SJHL. Dmitri was drafted in the first round, 21st overall, by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2021 WHL US Prospect Draft and was also drafted in 2025 by the Rochester Jr. Americans in the sixth round, 199th overall in the NAHL Entry Draft. Dmitri is now the lone overage skater on the Kitchener Rangers roster for the 2026-27 season. “It’s an incredible opportunity to join a team that just won the Memorial Cup,” said Dmitri Toroprowski. “There’s obviously a winning standard in Kitchener, and I’m excited to be part of that. As a 20-year-old, I know I have a responsibility to lead by example, bring energy and experience every day, and help this group continue to compete for championships. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to get to work.” The Kitchener Rangers welcome Dmitri Toporowski and his family to the organization. __
Join in the conversation on all things Rangers via social media by using the hashtag #RTown and #OHLRangers. Stay connected by following the Rangers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching @OHLRangers.   For media inquiries, contact: Luca Lombardi  Manager, Communications and Community Relations Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club (416) 885-4510 llombardi@kitchenerrangers.com
]]> Rangers Hockey is Coming to Elmira on September 7 https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/rangers-hockey-is-coming-to-elmira-on-september-7 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:59:06 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/rangers-hockey-is-coming-to-elmira-on-september-7 2026 Fan Fest and Summer Showcase Details https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/2026-fan-fest-and-summer-showcase-details Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:53:05 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/2026-fan-fest-and-summer-showcase-details 2026 Training Camp Details Announced https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/2026-training-camp-dates-announced Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:01:53 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/2026-training-camp-dates-announced Rangers 2026-27 Individual Tickets On Sale August 24th https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/rangers-2026-27-individual-tickets-on-sale-august-24th Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:46:18 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/rangers-2026-27-individual-tickets-on-sale-august-24th Joe Birch named 2026 David Branch Leader of the Year https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-coo-joe-birch-named-2026-david-branch-leader-of-the-year Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:03:51 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-coo-joe-birch-named-2026-david-branch-leader-of-the-year Rangers Sign Forward Jacob Lukes to Ontario Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/jacoblukessigning Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:52:24 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/jacoblukessigning Join our Team: Job Opportunities Available for the 2026-27 Season https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/join-our-team-job-opportunities-available-for-the-2026-27-season Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:18:49 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/join-our-team-job-opportunities-available-for-the-2026-27-season Kitchener Rangers Announce Changes to Hockey Operations Department https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-announce-changes-to-hockey-operations-department Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:13:45 +0000 Katie Hynds https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/kitchener-rangers-announce-changes-to-hockey-operations-department Kitchener, Ontario – The Kitchener Rangers announced a series of updates to the club's Hockey Operations department ahead of the 2026-27 season.  Michael Zsolt has been named Associate General Manager, while Brad Flynn has been promoted to Associate Coach. Brandon Merli has taken on the role of Director of Sports Science and Development. Michael Zsolt dons the new title of Associate General Manager after serving as the Assistant General Manager for the past five seasons. Michael originally joined the Rangers as the team’s Director of Analytics in 2017. Since then, he has taken on the roles of Director of Hockey Operations (2019) and Assistant General Manager (2021). Michael will continue to be involved in all areas of hockey operations, including scouting, team management, player recruiting and player development. He will continue to oversee the team’s use of analytics, which is closely integrated within all aspects of hockey operations. Michael is proud to have supported the development of others on the Rangers’ analytics team, with multiple people having gone on to secure opportunities in professional sports across the NHL, MLB and NBA. Prior to his role with the Rangers, Michael acted as an analytics consultant to the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds during the 2016-2017 season, and previously completed project work for an NHL team. Michael has over a decade of professional experience, previously working in private equity investing and business strategy consulting after graduating from the Ivey Business School at Western University. Brad Flynn will serve under the title of Associate Coach, a title last held by current Head Coach, Jeff Kyrzakos. He will continue to lead the defensive core and assume penalty killing duties. The Kitchener Rangers have never finished below fourth place across the OHL in penalty kill percentage under Flynn, always producing at a clip above 80%. Finishing second during the 2025-26 season (81.1%) the Rangers also produced a Canadian Hockey League leading 19 shorthanded goals. Flynn, 41, came to Kitchener with an array of experience having coached in all three leagues in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Before Kitchener his most recent stop came with the Saginaw Spirit as Associate Coach in 2021-22. He spent three seasons as Assistant Coach with the Red Deer Rebels (2018-21) of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and one season as Assistant Coach with the Acadie–Bathurst Titan (2015-16) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Impressively, Flynn has played a critical role in player development having worked with over 20 current National Hockey League (NHL) players, including two first-round draft picks, Alexander Alexeyev (2018 round 1, 31st overall by Washington Capitals) and Pavel Mintyukov (2022 round 1, 10th overall by Anaheim Ducks). Brandon Merli is preparing for his 25th season with the Kitchener Rangers. Four as a player and 21st in the front office. Merli has added the role of Director of Player Development to his title making his new official title, Director of Sports Science and Player Development. Brandon is in charge of all aspects of fitness such as strength training, conditioning training, and nutrition. He will also headman additional on-ice training for the players throughout the season. Brandon has worked with a wide variety of clients, ranging from fitness beginners to professional athletes. Announced earlier this week, Nick Spaling (Assistant Coach) and Jake Paterson (Goalie and Video Coach) have been added to Jeff Kyrzakos’ staff for the 2026-27 season.  Full release on Nick Spaling and Jake Paterson can be found on our website or by clicking on the respective links. ___ Want to guarantee your seat for Opening Night and every Rangers home game this season? Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season are available now, and fans can select their seats online today. Join in the conversation on all things Rangers via social media by using the hashtag #RTown and #OHLRangers. Stay connected by following the Rangers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by searching @OHLRangers.   For media inquiries, contact: Luca Lombardi  Manager, Communications and Community Relations Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club (416) 885-4510 llombardi@kitchenerrangers.com]]>