2020 Graduating Class: Kitchener Rangers

After turning things around and ending the season on a winning note, the Kitchener Rangers were one of the best stories of the season and contributions up front from three of their veteran leaders played a fundamental part.

The Rangers now bid farewell as Liam Hawel, Greg Meireles and Jonathan Yantsis move on from the OHL.

Liam Hawel (Sault Ste. Marie, Guelph, Kitchener – 2015-2020)
Acquired from the Guelph Storm as part of an offseason deal, 6-foot-4 power forward Liam Hawel’s size and strength were welcome additions to a well-stacked Rangers lineup. Hawel helped the Storm to an OHL championship in 2019, putting forth a career high 37 goals and 78 points over the regular season in Guelph before chipping in for 13 points (4-9—13) in his 24 playoff appearances. The Arnprior, Ont. native went on to finish second in Kitchener scoring with 71 points (23-48—71) on the year to wrap up a total 233 points (87-146—233) over a five-year, 313-game career. The 20-year-old forward was drafted 22nd overall by the Soo Greyhounds in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He was picked up by the Dallas Stars at the 2017 NHL Draft and attended the Montreal Canadiens Training Camp in 2019.

Greg Meireles (Kitchener – 2016-2020)
Centreman Greg Meireles proudly sported the Blueshirt from start to finish, and his leadership ultimately earned him the co-captaincy alongside teammate Riley Damiani. Among his accolades are the Michael Pappert Award for Rookie of the Year following the 2016-2017 season, the Jim Reilly Scoring Champion Award in 2019, and shared recognition for the Jim McGeachie Memorial Award for Outstanding Team Effort and the Jim Malleck Memorial Award for Most Valuable Player with Damiani. The Ottawa native notably finished atop the team scoring race with 97 points (36-61—97) to his name during the 2018-2019 season, and wrapped up his overage year with a 65 point (31-34—65) total. Meireles was drafted 12th overall by the Rangers at the 2015 OHL Priority Selection and was a sixth round pick of the Florida Panthers at the 2019 NHL Draft.

Jonathan Yantsis (Kitchener – 2016-2020)
A dominant force up front, Jonathan Yantsis became a 50-goal scorer within the span of three seasons. Following a five goal output the year prior, the Markham, Ont. native put up 50 markers and 73 points over the 2018-2019 campaign. He’d come back to cap off his four-year OHL stint with 39 goals and a 59-point showing. Yantsis signed with Kitchener as a free agent in 2016 and spent time at the Los Angeles Kings’ development camp and rookie camp in 2019.

2000-born players:
Currently, the Blueshirts also boast seven 2000-born players in Dallas Stars prospect Riley Damiani, Florida Panthers pick Serron Noel, Arizona Coyotes prospect Axel Berqkvist, Holden Wale, Justin MacPherson, Los Angeles Kings prospect Jacob Ingham, and Lucas Pfeil.