Rangers announce leadership group for 2026-27 season
Kitchener, Ont. – The Kitchener Rangers are proud to announce that defenceman Andrew MacNiel has been named as the 61st captain in franchise history. The 19-year-old from Cobourg, Ontario is headed into his third full season for the East Avenue Blue, after being drafted 70th overall by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
MacNiel’s selection as captain is a reflection of the strong leadership he has shown throughout his time with the Rangers, both in the dressing room and in the community. The Montreal Canadiens prospect leads with maturity, accountability, and a team-first approach that sets the standard for those around him. Off the ice, MacNiel has made an equally meaningful impact through the creation of Andrew’s Ambition, an initiative that has already raised more than $58,000 in support of childhood cancer research. His commitment to his teammates, the organization, and the Kitchener community makes him a deserving choice to wear the “C” for the East Avenue Blue.
“Being the captain of the Kitchener Rangers means everything to me,” said MacNiel. “To be able to lead such an historic franchise is an honour and a privilege. I was lucky enough to learn from two great captains in Cam Reid and Matt Andonovski, and I feel ready to lead this group into battle every night.”
MacNiel is now the third-straight defenceman to bear the honour as team captain, following Cameron Reid and Mattthew Andonovski. The last forward to captain the Kitchener Rangers was Francesco Pinelli during the 2022-23 season.
Joining Reid in the leadership group are Cameron Arquette, Alexander Bilecki, Tanner Lam, and Luca Romano who have been named alternate captains for the upcoming season. Each of these players have demonstrated strong leadership on and off the ice, and they will play a crucial role in supporting MacNiel as the Rangers aim for a successful season. Bilecki and Romano will wear the “A” on their jersey for every game, while Arquette (Away) and Lam (Home) will alternate throughout the season.
Kitchener Rangers Head Coach, Jeff Kyrzakos conveyed his confidence in the team’s decision starting, “Andrew is a natural leader and a great teammate. He’s a competitor with plays a fearless game. He has everything you want in a Captain and he’s earned this.”
Jeff Kyrzakos also commented on the decision in naming four additional players to the leadership group:
Luca Romano is one of two four-year guys on this team. He means so much to us. His commitment to playing the right way makes him a guy others can look up to. Alex Bilecki is a truly dynamic player who has seen maturity not only in his game but off the ice as well. Tanner Lam is the second of only two four-year players on our team. He’s grown as a player and a person over his time here and we feel he is more than ready to be a leader on our team. Finally, Cameron Arquette is an immensely popular teammate. His work ethic and energy are contagious and he’s a natural part of our leadership group.
