2023-24 Season
Simon Motew
The Most Popular Player Award is presented to the player who exudes likability, respect, inspiration, and leadership. This award is decided and voted upon by members of the Rangers.
As voted upon by his peers Simon Motew best exemplifies these traits this season. Motew’s leadership and positive attitude earned him a new level of respect amongst the Rangers organization.
As an Alternate Captain, he contributed both on and off the ice and has been a leader through his approachability and experience. Motew always knows when to keep things light and when to be serious which helped foster a positive culture in the locker room.
| Previous Recipient: Reid Valade & Lleyton Moore |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Hunter Brzustewicz
The Jim Malleck Memorial Trophy – MVP
Named after former Director and Past President through the 1960’s and into the 1970’s, Jim Malleck, and awarded for the first time following the 1985-86 season, the Most Valuable Player award is one of the greatest honours to be bestowed upon a player. It is awarded to the player deemed to have the most profound impact on the team’s success.
In only his second season with the Rangers Hunter Brzustewicz has left his mark as he tied the Rangers’ franchise record for points scored by a defenceman in a single season with 92. His career-high point tally of 13 goals and 79 assists was the second most on the Rangers and 10th most in the OHL this season. Furthermore, Hunter recorded the most assists in the OHL regular season.
He was proven to be the Rangers biggest threat as he was their most relied upon skater this season playing in all key situations.
| Previous Recipient: Francesco Pinelli |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Carson Rehkopf
The Jim Reilly Award – Scoring Champion
Named after Rangers’ past director, Jim Reilly, the award was first given out in team’s inaugural season in 1963-64. Dwight Foster’s mark of 143 points in the 1976-77 season remains a franchise high for points in a season by a Rangers player.
In his third season as a Ranger, Carson Rehkopf had a career year, hitting the 50-goal mark at the beginning of March ultimately finishing the season with 52 goals. His impressive goal total ranked him second in the OHL in scoring.
Rehkopf’s shot was lethal on the power play as he buried 16 goals on the man advantage which was tied for the most in the league. The 6-foot-, 195-pound forward was a second-round pick by the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 NHL Draft and earned himself an entry-level contract after the tremendous season he had.
| Previous Recipient: Francesco Arcuri |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Antonino Pugliese
The Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award
Presented by the Kitchener Sports Association, this award is presented to the player who contributed the most to the community during the season. The award is named after alumnus and former Rangers President Ted Scharf, a leader himself in community efforts and involvement.
Antonino Pugliese quickly became a fan favourite this season for his tenacity on the ice standing at 5’9” but playing like he is 6’5”. However, he is also admired and respected off the ice for his “Pug Life” initiative. Pugliese presented the idea of selling custom-made t-shirts in the team store to fundraise for the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario known as POGO with all proceeds from sales directly benefiting POGO’s mission to support children and families affected by childhood cancer. The shirts flew off the shelves and donations were made to reach his goal of over $10,000 towards the cause.
His willingness to raise money for POGO and support families in KW has been the most impressive part of his leadership skills off the ice.
| Previous Recipient: Reid Valade |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Matthew Andonovski
The Herchenrader Family Award
This award was donated by former Director Alf Herchenrader and his family. As the old saying goes, defence wins championships. Certainly, without it, it makes the road to winning a lot more difficult. Whether it be a quarterback on the powerplay, or a speedy sniper who jumps into the rush, a well-rounded blueliner is a focal point to the success of any club.
The Ottawa Senators fifth round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Matthew Andonovski dressed in 65 regular season games this season, helping the Rangers by blocking shots and shutting down the opposing team’s top players. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenceman owned the league’s best plus/minus rating all season long capping it off at plus 58. The blueliner also collected seven goals and 25 assists which were both career highs for him.
| Previous Recipient: Simon Motew |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Hunter Brzustewicz
The Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman Award
The award is named after Rangers’ former longtime assistant trainer Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman. An offensive defenceman can be a game-changer for a team, providing secondary scoring from the back-end, or seamlessly jumping into the rush and confusing the opposition.
The Washington, Michigan native, Hunter Brzustewicz wins this award for the second year in a row as he remarkably notches 35 more points than the season prior. His 92 point total tied the Rangers most points by a defenceman in a single season and passed players like Al MacInnis and Al Rourke.
| Previous Recipient: Hunter Brzustewicz (2022-23) |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Carson Rehkopf
CityNews 570 3-Star Award
Each time a Rangers player is chosen as 1st, 2nd or 3rd Star in a game, points are given to the player and accumulated at the end of the regular season; three points for 1st, two for 2nd and one for 3rd. The player with the most points earns the CityNews 570 3-Star Award.
Alternate Captain Carson Rehkopf truly was a difference maker leading the team with 95 points, 52 goals, 16 power play goals, 10 game winning goals, and nine insurance goals. He was heavily relied upon on the first line and special teams.
Rehkopf’s performance this season not only saw him on four of the OHL’s leader boards (second most goals, tied for first in powerplay goals, tied for the most game winning goals, and tied for the most insurance goals) but also an entry level contract with the Seattle Kraken. His efforts did not go unnoticed this season.
| Previous Recipient: Francesco Pinelli |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Luke Ellinas
The Jim McGeachie Memorial Trophy
Named in honour of former left-winger Jim McGeachie, who passed away suddenly in a car accident in the summer of 1980 at the age of 19 while a member of the Rangers.
The winner of this award exhibits outstanding effort, spirit, and commitment to being a member of the Rangers. He exhibits competitiveness, as well as dedication to the game and to his teammates.
Luke Ellinas stood out as the epitome of hard work and dedication to the team. Ellinas’ effort was unwavering this season playing in all but one game, in which he amassed 16 goals and 17 assists. Ellinas never stood down; unafraid to go into corners he rarely didn’t come out with the puck, he stuck up for his teammates and can even shoot the puck at a professional level.
| Previous Recipient: Hunter Brzustewicz |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Hunter Brzustewicz
Blueline Club Award
Our next award is presented to the player who best embodies sportsmanship and respect for the game in true Rangers fashion.
Hunter Brzustewicz appeared in 67 regular season games and despite playing hard he only recorded 24 penalty minutes. Hunter played the game the right way and it has shown.
Now, his sportsmanship extends beyond the game, as he consistently demonstrates kindness, humility, and generosity, embodying the true essence of sportsmanship. After being drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2024 NHL Draft and then acquired by the Calgary Flames, the defender has always been professional and courteous when dealing with media, staff, fans, and other teammates.
| Previous Recipient: Filip Mešár |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Trent Swick
Les Bradley Award
Named after longtime Rangers trainer Les Bradley. Bradley was a mainstay on the bench from 1969-1986, then after retiring as the team trainer, spent more than 15 years as a team ambassador in the press room.
The Les Bradley Memorial Award is presented to the team’s most improved player, this year going to Trent Swick. Swick had a break-out year as his point pace nearly doubled registering 0.98 points a game compared to his 0.55 points per game in the 2022-23 season. Swick registered a career high 25 goals and 37 assists for 62 points, which was the fourth highest point total on the team, he also had the third highest plus/minus on the team with +24.
His relentless pursuit of improvement, both in skill and mindset, has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, coaches, and supporters. It was evident the dedication he put into being a high contributor to this club by staying on the ice late to work on skills and putting in full effort shift in and shift out. Trent became a player that was truly missed when he was not in the lineup.
| Previous Recipient: Matthew Sop |
| Past Recipients: click to view |
Luke Ellinas
Charles Chalkin Memorial Award
The award for Best Performer in the Playoffs is named after former Rangers Director from the late 1960’s/early 1970’s, Charles Chalkin. From game-winning goals to series-saving stops, 43 players have been presented with the Charles Chalkin Memorial Award since its inception in 1975-76.
In only his first Ontario Hockey League Playoff appearance, Luke Ellinas was the Rangers most relied upon skater. Not only did the forward collect an impressive five goals and three assists in the 10 postseason games he also did whatever he could to win by blocking shots, winning puck battles, and sticking up for his teammates exemplifying playoff hockey effort.
Ellinas was tabbed the first round hero as he registered two goals and one assist in his first-ever OHL playoff game. He then clinched the series for the club as he scored the overtime-winning goal in game six to send the Rangers to the second round.
| Previous Recipient: Mitchell Martin |
| Past Recipients: click to view |