Futures Watch: Kitchener Rangers

As the 2025–26 OHL season approaches this September, the Kitchener Rangers are looking to build on their 100 point record (47–15–4–2) from last year. We spoke with GM Mike McKenzie about the new faces fans should be keeping an eye on as the team prepares for the upcoming campaign.

 

Class Quote

“We have a large group of returning players but also have some fresh faces that we feel can make an impact for us in their first full year in the league. The reality of the OHL is you have to constantly have new players stepping in every year and we feel this is an exciting crop of new players that can help us win hockey games and our fans will enjoy watching.”

– Mike McKenzie

 

Player Spotlights:

Jacob Xu – LD

Selected in the eighth round (157th overall) in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Jacob Xu spent the majority of the 2024-25 season with the Trenton Golden Hawks and King Rebellion of the OJHL, where he recorded 24 points (5-19–24) across both clubs. He also served as an AP for the Kitchener Rangers, appearing in 21 games between the regular and post-season, notching his first career OHL point on April, 25th. He is committed to Harvard for the 2026-27 NCAA season.

“Jacob was an AP for us last season and got to get his feet wet and even played in the playoffs so we expect him to hit the ground the running and have very little time adjusting to the league full time. He is a big, mobile and can play a physical brand of hockey but also has a calm and poised presence on the ice.”

Christian Kirsch – G

Selected in the first round (44th overall) in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Christian Kirsch is a goaltender from Basel, Switzerland and played most of the 2024-25 season with the Janesville Jets in the NAH and appeared in three games with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL. In 24 games with the Jets, Kirsch posted a 8-15-0 record with a 3.16 GAA and 0.912 SV%. He earned a call-up to represent Switzerland at the 2024-25 World Junior Championships in Ottawa in which he made four appearances. He is committed to the University of Massachusetts for the 2026-27 NCAA season.

“Christian is an extremely talented and athletic goalie. For such a big goalie he moves very well. He had a bit of a turbulent season last year switching between a couple different leagues and we feel the stability of being in one place and getting to work alongside our goalie coach Jordan Dekort will really help him get comfortable quickly in the OHL.”

Weston Cameron – C

Selected in the third round (49th overall) of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Weston Cameron spent last season with the Cambridge Redhawks of the GOJHL where he recorded 36 points (18-18–36) and 58 penalty minutes in 38 regular-season games. He was also called up for five games with the Rangers throughout the season. 

“Weston is a very underrated player and another guy who was an AP for us last season while having a really productive year in Cambridge Jr. B. He is big, can play physical and has an elite shot. He has all the tools to be a really good player and a guy NHL teams will be watching closely with the combination of size and skill.”

 

2025-26 Kitchener Rangers Signings:

Includes players signed to an OHL Scholarship & Development Agreement.

PLAYER	POSITION	HOMETOWN	DOB	2024-25 TEAM	ACQUIRED
Avry Anstis	RW	Pittsburgh, PA	03/05/2008	Listowel Cyclones	11th Rd. 2024
Weston Cameron	C	Toronto, ON	01/01/2008	Cambridge Redhawks	3rd Rd. 2023
Christian Kirsch	G	Basel, SUI	06/18/2006	Janesville Jets	1st Rd. 2025 (Import)
Jacob Xu	LD	Richmond Hill, ON	03/13/2008	King Rebellion	8th Rd. 2024