In 1963, Eugene George and a group of Kitchener businessmen brought the Guelph Royals, a farm team of the NHL’s New York Rangers, to Kitchener and renamed them the Kitchener Rangers Junior “A” Hockey Club.
The New York Rangers sponsorship of the team ended in 1967 with the expansion of the NHL’s “Original Six’” Era, so on July 7, 1967, George agreed to purchase the team from the New York Rangers for a sum of one dollar. He declined the opportunity for private ownership but instead turned the team over to the community through the creation of a not-for-profit organization.
"We wanted to put a Junior "A" team on the ice that Kitchener would be proud of," recalled George. "We wanted to prove we could put together a competitive local team."
To this day there is not one, lone “owner” of the club; instead, a 39-person Board of Directors is elected by the club’s season ticket members each year to act as the “trustees” of the storied franchise. This Board of Directors is comprised entirely and only of Kitchener Rangers’ season ticket members.
The Rangers are one of six teams in the Canadian Hockey League (Moose Jaw Warriors, Swift Current Broncos, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Peterborough Petes) that are publicly owned.
The Kitchener Rangers organization understands its responsibilities to our community and to the vision of our founders. We are pleased to contribute to various endeavours and community groups. For a more information please click here.
Over the years the Club has made numerous contributions to community groups, local minor hockey associations, supported events, fundraising programs and provided unique hockey experiences to members of our community. With the addition of Rangers Reach (Kitchener Rangers Community Fund) in 2019, we are able to continue to expand our charitable efforts.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex (also known as The Aud) is a multi-use municipally-owned facility. The complex is located on East Avenue, near the Ottawa Street interchange on the Conestoga Parkway. The complex includes the Dom Cardillo Arena and two smaller community arenas the Kinsmen Arena and Kiwanis Arena.
Click Here to watch a tour of the Rangers Dressing Room
Click here to take a 360 degree tour of the Kitchener Rangers facilities.
The capacity of the building for Rangers games is 7,636 (with suites & standing).
The original arena was built in 1950 and has been expanded three times since then. Most recently The Aud hosted the 2008 Memorial Cup from May 16 to May 25, 2008, with 437 additional permanent seats being added. The Aud previously hosted 1962 Memorial Cup, 1975 Memorial Cup and 1984 Memorial Cup games.
Over 180 players and coaches have gone on to serve in the NHL including Gabriel Landeskog, Jeff Skinner, Radek Faksa, John Gibson, Nazem Kadri, Mike Richards, David Clarkson, Steve Mason, Derek Roy and Peter DeBoer.
Five of our alumni have gone on to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: Scott Stevens, Bill Barber, Paul Coffey, Larry Robinson and Al MacInnis.
Championships
The Kitchener Rangers have earned a berth in the OHL Final to compete for the J. Ross Robertson Cup on eight occasions, claiming championships in 1981, 1982, 2003 and 2008.
They have appeared in six Memorial Cups (1981, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2003 and 2008), advancing to the final game of the tournament each of those six years.
They are two-time Memorial Cup champions (1982, 2003).
Captains
| Year | Captain / Captains | Year | Captain / Captains |
| 1963-64 | Alexander “Sandy” Fitzpatrick | 2013-14 | Ben Fanelli |
| 1964-65 | Alexander “Sandy” Fitzpatrick | 2014-15 | Liam Maaskant |
| 1965-66 | John Beechey – same year – Bob Jones – Billy Hway | 2015-16 | Ryan MacInnis |
| 1966-67 | Walter Tkaczuk | 2016-17 | Frank Hora |
| 1967-68 | Walter Tkaczuk | 2017-18 | Connor Bunnaman |
| 1968-69 | Cam Crosby | 2018-19 | Rickard Hugg |
| 1969-70 | Dave Cressman | 2019-20 | Greg Meireles, Riley Damiani |
| 1970-71 | Ted Scharf | 2021-22 | Francesco Pinelli |
| 1971-72 | Bill Barber | ||
| 1972-73 | Less Burgess | ||
| 1973-74 | Paul Evans | ||
| 1974-75 | Larry Huras – same year – Dan Djakolvic – Dwight Foster | ||
| 1975-76 | Dwight Foster | ||
| 1976-77 | Dwight Foster | ||
| 1977-78 | Don Maloney | ||
| 1978-79 | Paul Reinhart | ||
| 1979-80 | Jim Pavese | ||
| 1980-81 | Joe McDonnell – same year – Brian Bellows | ||
| 1981-82 | Brian Bellows | ||
| 1982-83 | Mike Eagles | ||
| 1983-84 | Jim Quinn | ||
| 1984-85 | Garnet McKechny – same year – Kent Paynter | ||
| 1985-86 | Shawn Burr | ||
| 1986-87 | Dave Letta | ||
| 1987-88 | Kevin Grant | ||
| 1988-89 | Mark Montanari | ||
| 1989-90 | Steven Rice | ||
| 1990-91 | Steven Rice | ||
| 1991-92 | Mike Polano | ||
| 1992-93 | Mike Polano | ||
| 1993-94 | Tim Spitzig | ||
| 1994-95 | Tim Spitzig | ||
| 1995-96 | Brian Scott | ||
| 1996-97 | Ryan Pepperall | ||
| 1997-98 | Jason Byrnes | ||
| 1998-99 | Darren Mortier | ||
| 1999-00 | Serge Payer | ||
| 2000-01 | Chris Cava | ||
| 2001-02 | Nick Policelli | ||
| 2002-03 | Derek Roy | ||
| 2003-04 | Mike Richards | ||
| 2004-05 | Mike Richards | ||
| 2005-06 | Mark Fraser | ||
| 2006-07 | Jean-Michel Rizk – same year – Peter Tsimikalis | ||
| 2007-08 | Matt Pepe | ||
| 2008-09 | Ben Shutron – same year – Dan Kelly | ||
| 2009-10 | Dan Kelly | ||
| 2010-11 | Gabriel Landeskog | ||
| 2011-12 | Michael Catenacci | ||
| 2012-13 | Ryan Murphy |
Head Coaches
| Year | Head Coach | Year | Head Coach |
| 1963-64 | Steve Brklacich | 2013-14 | Troy Smith |
| 1964-65 | Floyd “Butch” Martin | 2014-15 | Troy Smith |
| 1965-66 | Wally Kullman | 2015-16 | Mike Van Ryn |
| 1966-67 | Wally Kullman | 2016-17 | Jay McKee |
| 1967-68 | Wally Kullman | 2017-18 | Jay McKee |
| 1968-69 | Wally Kullman | 2018-19 | Jay McKee |
| 1969-70 | Gerry Forler | 2019-20 | Jay McKee (Replaced by Mike McKenzie) |
| 1970-71 | Gerry Forler (Replaced by Ron Murphy) | 2021-22 | Mike McKenzie |
| 1971-72 | Ron Murphy | 2022-23 | Chris Dennis |
| 1972-73 | Eddie Bush | ||
| 1973-74 | Eddie Bush | ||
| 1974-75 | Eddie Bush (Replaced by Don McKee; Replaced by Jim Morrison) | ||
| 1975-76 | Mac MacLean | ||
| 1976-77 | Mac MacLean | ||
| 1977-78 | Mac MacLean (Replaced by Bob Ertel) | ||
| 1978-79 | Bob Ertel | ||
| 1979-80 | Bob Ertel (Replaced by Rod Seiling) | ||
| 1980-81 | Orval Tessier | ||
| 1981-82 | Joe Crozier | ||
| 1982-83 | Joe Crozier | ||
| 1983-84 | Tom Barrett | ||
| 1984-85 | Tom Barrett | ||
| 1985-86 | Tom Barrett | ||
| 1986-87 | Tom Barrett (Replaced by Joe McDonnell) | ||
| 1987-88 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1988-89 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1989-90 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1990-91 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1991-92 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1992-93 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1993-94 | Joe McDonnell | ||
| 1994-95 | Joe McDonnell (Replaced by Geoff Ward) | ||
| 1995-96 | Geoff Ward | ||
| 1996-97 | Geoff Ward | ||
| 1997-98 | Geoff Ward | ||
| 1998-99 | Brian Hayton | ||
| 1999-00 | Brian Hayton (Replaced by Jeff Snyder) | ||
| 2000-01 | Jeff Snyder | ||
| 2001-02 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2002-03 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2003-04 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2004-05 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2005-06 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2006-07 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2007-08 | Peter DeBoer | ||
| 2008-09 | Steve Spott | ||
| 2009-10 | Steve Spott | ||
| 2010-11 | Steve Spott | ||
| 2011-12 | Steve Spott | ||
| 2012-13 | Steve Spott |
IIHF (World Junior Championships)
Future Stars on the World Stage
The following Kitchener Rangers have represented their countries at the IIHF World Junior Championships.
TEAM CANADA
1983 – Mike Eagles
1987 – David Latta
1989 – Gus Morschauser
1990 – Steven Rice
1991 – Steven Rice
1997 – Boyd Devereaux [GOLD]
1997 – Dan Lebold – Trainer [GOLD]
2003 – Gregory Campbell [SILVER]
2003 – Steve Eminger [SILVER]
2003 – Derek Roy [SILVER]
2004 – Mike Richards [SILVER]
2005 – Mike Richards [GOLD]
2005 – Peter DeBoer – Coach [GOLD]
2008 – Matt Halischuk [GOLD]
2008 – Steve Mason [GOLD]
2010 – Steve Spott – Coach [SILVER]
2010 – Dan Lebold – Trainer [SILVER]
2011 – Dan Lebold – Trainer [SILVER]
2013 – Ryan Murphy
2013 – Steve Spott – Coach
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS
2004 – Petr Kanko (Czech Republic)
2005 – Boris Valabik (Slovakia)
2006 – Boris Valabik (Slovakia)
2006 – Jakub Kindl (Czech Republic)
2007 – Yannick Weber (Switzerland)
2007 – Jakub Kindl (Czech Republic)
2008 – Mikkel Boedker (Denmark)
2008 – Yannick Weber (Switzerland)
2009 – Josh Unice (USA)
2009 – Simon Gronvaldt (Denmark)
2010 – Jeremy Morin (USA) [GOLD]
2011 – Gabriel Landeskog (Sweden)
2011 – Tobias Rieder (Germany)
2012 – John Gibson (USA)
2012 – Radek Faksa (Czech Republic)
2012 – Tobias Rieder (Germany)
2013 – Radek Faksa (Czech Republic)
2013 – John Gibson (USA)
2013 – Tobias Rieder (Germany)
2014 – Radek Faksa (Czech Republic)
2016 – Ryan MacInnis (USA) [BRONZE]
2016 – Dmitrii Sergeev (Russia) [SILVER]
2017 – Jeremy Bracco (USA) [GOLD]
2018 – Adam Liska (Slovakia)
NHL Alumni
The following players spent time in the Kitchener Rangers organization before graduating to the NHL. Players are listed by their last season as a member of the Rangers, with their NHL debuts listed in parentheses.
1963-64
Gary Sabourin (1967-68)
Trevor Fahey (1964-65)
1964-65
Alexander “Sandy” Fitzpatrick (1964-65)
Tom Miller (1970-71)
1965-66
Bob Jones (1968-69)
Randy Legge (1972-73)
Bob Cook (1970-71)
Claire Alexander (1974-75)
Gordon Kannegiesser (1967-68)
1966-67
Tim Ecclestone (1967-68)
Sheldon Kannegiesser (1970-71)
Gary Kurt (1971-72)
Robbie Irons (1968-69)
1967-68
Don Luce (1969-70)
Walt Tkaczuk (1967-68)
Jack Egers (1969-70)
Mike Robitaille (1969-70)
Danny Seguin (1970-71)
Lee Inglis (1973-74)
Denis Dupere (1970-71)
Jim Krulicki (1970-71)
Ab Demarco (1969-70)
Jim Jones (1971-72)
Billy Orr (1973-74)
Pete Donnelly (1972-73)
1968-69
Brian Glenwright (1972-73)
Bob Whitlock (1969-70)
Sean Shanahan (1975-76)
Paul Hoganson (1970-71)
1969-70
Gerry O’Flaherty (1971-72)
Dave Cressman (1974-75)
Joe Noris (1971-72)
Jim Nahrgang (1974-75)
Bob Hurlburt (1974-75)
Hank Lehvonen (1974-75)
Dennis McCord (1973-74)
Cam Newton (1970-71)
1970-71
Larry Robinson (1972-73)
Ted Scharf (1972-73)
Ralph Hopiavouri (1972-73)
1971-72
Bill Barber (1972-73)
Jerry Byers (1972-73)
Tom Cassidy (1977-78)
Chris Meloff (1972-73)
Dan Hinton (1976-77)
Chris Ahrens (1972-73)
1972-73
Glen Richardson (1975-76)
Bob Blanchet (1974-75)
1973-74
Paul Evans (1978-79)
Peter Sturgeon (1979-80)
Dave Maloney (1974-75)
Rick Chartraw (1974-75)
Ron Sedlbauer (1974-75)
Tony White (1974-75)
Doug Risebrough (1974-75)
Brian Bye (1975-76)
1974-75
Joe Fortunato (1976-77)
Rick Bourbonnais (1975-76)
Claude Noel (1979-80)
Larry Huras (1976-77)
Don Edwards (1976-77)
1975-76
Reid Bailey (1980-81)
Bill Stewart (1977-78)
Brad Maxwell (1977-78)
John Baby (1977-78)
1976-77
Dwight Foster (1977-78)
Don “Red” Laurence (1977-78)
1977-78
Don Maloney (1978-79)
Dale Hunter (1980-81)
Gaston Gingras (1978-79)
Bob Parent (1981-82)
1978-79
Paul Reinhart (1979-80)
Doug Sulliman (1979-80)
Jody Gage (1980-81)
Bennett Wolf (1980-81)
1979-80
Paul Coffey (1980-81)
Paul Pooley (1984-85)
Doug Shedden (1981-82)
Walt Poddubny (1981-82)
Darwin McCutcheon (1981-82)
1980-81
Russ Adam (1982-83)
Joe McDonnell (1981-82)
Jim Pavese (1981-82)
Rob Whistle (1985-86)
Orval Tessier – Coach (1982-83)
1981-82
Brian Bellows (1982-83)
Grant Martin (1983-84)
Jeff Larmer (1981-82)
Scott Stevens (1982-83)
Lou Crawford (1989-90)
Mike Moher (1982-83)
Paul Higgins (1981-82)
1982-83
Al MacInnis (1981-82)
Mike Eagles (1982-83)
Mike Hough (1984-85)
Wendell Young (1985-86)
Jim Sandlak (1985-86)
1983-84
John Tucker (1983-84)
David Bruce (1985-86)
David Shaw (1982-83)
Peter Bakovic (1987-88)
Nick Kypreos (1989-90)
Ray LeBlanc (1991-92)
1984-85
Brian Wilks (1984-85)
Shawn Burr (1984-85)
Wayne Presley (1984-85)
Mike Stevens (1984-85)
Kent Paynter (1987-88)
Craig Wolanin (1985-86)
1985-86
Brett MacDonald (1987-88)
Dave McLlwain (1987-88)
Rob Dopson (1993-94)
1986-87
Max Middendorf (1986-87)
David Latta (1985-86)
Warren Rychel (1988-89)
David Haas (1990-91)
1988-89
Kirk Tomlinson (1987-88)
Darren Rumble (1990-91)
1989-90
Gilbert Dionne (1990-91)
Shayne Stevenson (1990-91)
Jason York (1992-93)
1990-91
Steven Rice (1990-00)
1991-92
Chris LiPuma (1992-93)
Mike Torchia (1994-95)
Dennis Bonvie (1994-95)
1992-93
Todd Warriner (1994-95)
1994-95
Eric Manlow (2000-01)
Jason Morgan (1996-97)
Garrett Burnett (2003-04)
1996-97
Boyd Devereaux (1997-98)
1999-00
Sean McMorrow (2002-03)
Serge Payer (2000-01)
Andrew Peters (2003-04)
Allan Rourke (2003-04)
2002-03
Gregory Campbell (2003-04)
Steve Eminger (2002-03)
Derek Roy (2003-04)
2003-04
Petr Kanko (2005-06)
2004-05
Andre Benoit (2010-11)
David Clarkson (2006-07)
Paul McFarland (2002-05)
Mike Richards (2005-06)
2005-06
Patrick Davis (2008-09)
Mark Fraser (2006-07)
Matt Lashoff (2006-07)
Boris Valabik (2007-08)
2006-07
Steve Downie (2007-08)
Jakub Kindl (2009-10)
Kevin Henderson (2012-13)
Mike Hoffman (2011-12)
Victor Oreskovich (2009-10)
2007-08
Mikkel Boedker (2008-09)
Peter DeBoer – Coach (2008-09)
Mike Duco (2009-10)
Matt Halischuk (2008-09)
Nazem Kadri (2009-10)
Steve Mason (2008-09)
Nick Spaling (2009-10)
Phil Varone (2013-14)
Yannick Weber (2008-09)
2008-09
Robert Bortuzzo (2011-12)
Brandon Mashinter (2010-11)
Scott Timmins (2010-11)
2009-10
John Moore (2010-11)
Jeremy Morin (2010-11)
Shane Prince (2014-15)
Jeff Skinner (2010-11)
2010-11
Jason Akeson (2012-13)
Jerry D’Amigo (2013-14)
Gabriel Landeskog (2011-12)
Jamie Doornbosch (2010-11)
2011-12
Julian Melchiori (2013-14)
Tyler Randell (2015-16)
2012-13
Andrew Crescenzi (2009-12)
Frank Corrado (2012-13)
John Gibson (2011-12)
Joshua Leivo (2013-14)
Ryan Murphy (2012-13)
Matt Puempel (2014-15)
Tobias Rieder (2014-15)
Steve Spott – Coach (2014-15)
2013-14
Radek Faksa (2015-16)
Evan McEneny (2016-17)
Ben Thomson (2016-17)
Dominik Kubalik (2019-20)
2014-15
Justin Bailey (2015-16)
2015-16
Ryan MacInnis (2019-20)
2017-18
Logan Brown (2017-18)
Logan Stanley (2020-21)
Givani Smith (2019-20)
Connor Bunnaman (2019-20)
Kole Sherwood (2018-19)
2019-20
Riley Damiani (2021-22)
Hall of Famers
Bill Barber – Larry Robinson – Paul Coffey – Scott Stevens – Al MacInnis
In 1998, the Kitchener Rangers established an NHL Hall of Fame banner program to showcase Rangers’ alumni who have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. A banner has been raised to the rafters of the Aud in honour of each player to permanently recognize their accomplishments as some of the best players to ever play the game.