Rangers camp is ready to start up
KITCHENER — It’s time to make an impression.
Kitchener Rangers training camp begins Monday and 42 players will hit the ice in a bid to win jobs, ice-time and bigger roles with the club.
“We’re really looking for guys, whether they made the team last year or not, that have taken the next step (in their development),” said head coach Jay McKee.
There’ll be a lot of familiar names at the Aud since most of last year’s team will return. But there’ll be some notable omissions, as three longtime Rangers have moved on.
Ex-captain Frank Hora has signed with the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms of Allentown, Pa., while fellow rearguard Dylan Di Perna is suiting up for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Forward Darby Llewellyn has also graduated from junior hockey and is looking for an AHL tryout.
Meanwhile, the Rangers parted ways with defenceman Andrew Burns and forward Cedric Schiemenz in the off-season and traded rearguard Elijah Roberts to the Niagara IceDogs for three draft picks.
Goalie Luke Opilka will also be missing as he recovers from hip surgery. The St. Louis Blues draft pick is aiming for a December return.
On the flip side, there will be some exciting new players on East Avenue. Swedish import Rickard Hugg, who officially signed a contract with the club on Thursday, is in town while Slovak forward Adam Liska is also on board.
Waterloo native Logan Stanley joins the back end after being acquired via trade with the Windsor Spitfires for picks during the off-season.
And there will also be a new face behind the bench in Andreas Karlsson, who replaced outgoing associate coach Jason Fortier. The former National Hockey Leaguer will help guide the team’s offensive attack and run the penalty kill.
The team also inked three rookies since fans last left the Aud with defenceman, and first round draft pick, Grayson Ladd and forwards Matt Gordon and Michael Petizian, joining the fray.
A new major midget draft and a strong returning roster mean there aren’t as many free agents at camp but there is always room on the roster for players that stand out.
Last year free agent defenceman Kyle Gentles turned heads and earned a contract out of camp and was a mainstay on the team’s blue line.
“We should have a real healthy competition for ice time and roles on the team,” said McKee, whose Rangers went 36-27-3-2 and finished sixth in the OHL’s western conference last season.
“I don’t think anyone should come here and just feel comfortable that they have a spot.”
Goalie Chris McGonigle is back on the ice but will likely sit camp out as he continues to make his way back from hip surgery.
The Rangers have just one exhibition game at home.
They face the IceDogs on Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.