Rangers complete trade with Sudbury

Kitchener, Ont. – The Kitchener Rangers announced that the club has completed a trade with the Sudbury Wolves.

In the trade, Kitchener will receive up-to five additional draft picks in return for the playing rights of forward Michael Hage. The Rangers will receive a first-round compensation selection, which will be the 11th-overall pick in the upcoming 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Sudbury’s fourth-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, a conditional second-round pick (Sudbury) in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, a conditional third-round pick (Sudbury) in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection and a conditional fourth-round pick (Sudbury) in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection should Hage play in the Ontario Hockey League.

• GM Mike McKenzie Comments 

“Firstly, we would like to wish Michael and his family the best of luck moving forward,” said Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “This was a difficult decision but ultimately we felt it was in the best interest of the organization to get a first-round compensation pick, a guaranteed fourth-round pick as well as additional conditional picks, should Michael ever play in the OHL.”

Regardless of what place the Rangers finish in at the conclusion of the 2022-23 OHL regular season standings, Kitchener will now have two first-round picks in the upcoming 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

“At the time of the draft we felt we made the best decision but as time goes on every situation changes and right now we have assessed all the information and have come to the conclusion that presently, this is what’s best for our hockey club,” added McKenzie. “This decision gives us extreme flexibility this season and also sets us up well and provides flexibility in future seasons.”

As stated in the OHL Priority Selection Rules and Regulations: OHL Member Teams shall receive a first-round compensation selection in the same position, one pick later in the next succeeding year if a player deemed defective is traded, for draft picks only, prior to September 15^th of the next succeeding season. With the Rangers finishing in ninth place last season, and the Niagara IceDogs also having a first-round compensation pick, Kitchener receives the 11th-overall pick in the upcoming 2023 OHL Priority Selection.

The Rangers return 21 skaters from a season ago on the club’s current roster and open the 2022-23 regular season on home-ice Friday, September 30th against the Sarnia Sting. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium to drop the puck on the club’s 60^th Anniversary. Great seats are still available and can be purchased online here.

For media inquires, contact:

Dominic Hennig
Senior Director of Broadcasting, Communications & Hockey Operations
Kitchener Rangers
(519) 497-9342
dhennig@kitchenerrangers.com