Filip Mesar returns to Rangers

The Montreal Canadiens announced Saturday that they’ve reassigned Filip Mesar from the AHL’s Laval Rocket to the Kitchener Rangers.

The 19-year-old from Spisska Bela, Slovakia recorded 51 points (17-34–51) in 52 games with Kitchener last season, helping them advance to the second round of the OHL Playoffs following a first round upset of the top-seeded Windsor Spitfires.

Mesar was Montreal’s first round (26th overall) pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and the Canadiens signed him to a three-year, entry-level NHL contract on July 14, 2022. The 5-foot-10, 168Ib. right-winger recorded one assist over his first two games with Laval this season. He’s represented Slovakia twice at the World Junior Hockey Championship, registering six points (2-4–6) in five games during the 2023 tournament.

Mesar, who was Kitchener’s first round (9th overall) pick in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, burst onto the scene in Kitchener last season, recording four points (1-3–4) in his debut on Oct. 21, 2022 against Sudbury before netting a pair of goals in his second game on Oct. 22nd at Guelph.

The Rangers are off to a 7-2-0-0 start and carry a four-game winning streak into action on Saturday afternoon in Mississauga. They return to home ice on Tuesday night against the Sarnia Sting.

48 is back 🤩

The #OHLRangers are pumped to have Filip Mesar back in #RTown! pic.twitter.com/EPQsfkOI3P

— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) October 21, 2023