Rangers’ Rehkopf nets 50th goal in overtime
Carson Rehkopf had a weekend to remember, scoring his 49th and 50th goals of the season in overtime as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the London Knights and Kingston Frontenacs at the Aud.
Rehkopf becomes the first OHL player to hit 50 in 2023-24, following Jonathan Yantsis (2018-19) as the 16th player in Rangers franchise history to hit the half-century mark. That list includes such prominent names as Jeff Skinner (2009-10), John Tucker (1982-83), Shawn Burr (1985-86), Wayne Presley (1983-84) and Jeff Larmer (1980-81 & 1981-82), who is the only player to do it twice.
Larmer was one of several members of the Rangers’ 1982 Memorial Cup championship team in attendance at the Aud on Sunday, and witnessed Rehkopf’s milestone marker before a sold out crowd of 6,641.
5⃣0⃣🚨 for Carson Rehkopf!@OHLRangers | @SeattleKraken | #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/2jbL42w4kj
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 4, 2024
A second round (50th overall) pick by the Seattle Kraken in 2023, Rehkopf reflected on the achievement with Rogers tv’s Sean Furfaro after the final buzzer.
“I was super happy to be able to do it in front of the 1982 team and all these great fans,” he said.
“It was a goal I set for myself at the start of the year. I had a lot to prove coming into this year, I wanted to be one of the best players in the league and help this team win and give this city what they deserve. I think I’ve made great strides this year, and I think everyone on our team has. Everyone has gotten so much better this year and we have a close team so it’s so easy for us to come here and play every day.”
The presence of franchise legends like Al MacInnis, Brian Bellows and Scott Stevens in attendance made the afternoon that much more memorable for Rehkopf and his Rangers teammates.
“Them being here is such an inspiration for us,” he added. “They did it. They did what we want to do so hearing some words from them and taking that information is really big for us.”
The 38-20-2-0 Rangers close out the week sitting fourth in the Western Conference as Rehkopf becomes the second Canadian Hockey League player to reach 50 goals in 2023-24, following Zac Funk of the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
The Rangers return to action on Wednesday when they visit the Owen Sound Attack at the Bayshore Community Centre.
50 goals for the @OHLRangers' Carson Rehkopf❗️
The #SeaKraken prospect is the second CHL player to hit the milestone this season! 👏🏻 #CHLStats pic.twitter.com/R7Tru2V7U2
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 3, 2024
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