When the global pandemic first landed on Canadian soil at the end of February, it left the CHL with many questions, many of which were long left unanswered. As such, it forced the league to engage in discussions, a handful difficult, but once they started, there was no looking back as the season was paused until further notice.
Fast forward now one week later with COVID-19 now spreading like wildfire, the OHL announced March 18th the cancellation of the regular season. As for their run to the playoffs, that was left on hold as a result of the outbreak.
With no answers clear at the time as to just how long the hiatus could last for, things got tricky for players imported and teams that were dealing with similar challenges. In Kitchener, for Mike McKenzie, there was only one way to respond to this. As such, he sent home overseas Ville Ottavainen and Axel Bergkvist.
Of course, that call came soon after all players cleared out to go home for two weeks. During that time of uncertainty, not knowing how long isolation would last, Mike McKenzie said in response to the virus, “We told our players to try to work out the best you can and stay in shape so if something does happen they’re ready to go. It’s a little more difficult now with things closing and the way it (the virus) is spreading.”
That was just one week following a conversation he had at The Aud where he said of precautions being set for the future, “Hand sanitizers throughout the locker room, on our team bus. We’re making sure that even things like the officials rooms or visiting team locker rooms are cleaned out.”
Fast forward almost one month later, the country has not even hit its peak. Not only that, but many changes are coming with the draft now done and other players departing. Whether it be to U Sports to pursue academics or the AHL, the locker room has started to empty with a number of players headed opposite ways.
Jacob Ingham leaves the Kitchener Rangers after just one season to advance to the pro ranks. For Axel Bergkvist and Serron Noel, the same is true as they move up and move onwards. While captain Riley Damiani has not announced his decision formally, he is likely to move up as well and join the AHL’s Texas Stars.
That leaves hanging in limbo Jonathan Yantsis, Greg Meireles and Liam Hawel. While the players stand at a time frame where commitments are not usually discussed yet, there have been tips as a result of the outbreak that connect the Queen’s Gaels to Jonathan Yantsis.
While such topics revolve around overage players in their fourth or fifth seasons, the Kitchener Rangers were not prepared for the possibility of yet another loss. With that being said, the hockey club learnt on Tuesday morning that Ville Ottavainen had agreed to a deal with Oulun Karpat men’s team in the Finnish league. However, as reported by Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record, the Rangers have been told by his agent that his plan and preference is to return to the OHL next season.
Despite his signing back home, Ville Ottavainen could still be loaned to the Kitchener Rangers for the upcoming season. Ultimately, this all comes down to whether the team wants him back come September and as Josh Brown followed up in saying, the belief is McKenzie is wanting to keep him.
Given the handful they’re losing, McKenzie is sensible to keep Ottavainen. With that thought in mind and puck drop in Kitchener now five months away, the Finnish defensemen will likely be greeted by a pair of new faces when training camp opens.
That list is likely to include brothers Andrew and Jacob from the Southern Tier Admirals. Andrew was selected by Kitchener with the 17th overall selection in the OHL Priority Selection, meanwhile, 42nd overall, Mike selected Jacob in the draft’s third round.
Originally, McKenzie’s plan was to go for centreman Adam Fantilli, however, as the situation played out, the team’s scouts then opted for a different direction. Instead, they selected three players from the Southern Tier Admirals of the SCTAMM. With that being said, Trent Swick was selected 47th overall.
Prior to the OHL Draft, Fantilli had been talking with the USHL. Listed to start playing next season with the Chicago Steel after weighing his options, Fantilli could find himself eligible to return back home and join the OHL. When speaking about the decision to opt for the twins as opposed to Fantilli, McKenzie said regarding the centreman, “We definitely looked at that option (Fantilli). We laid out a lot of scenarios beforehand and had a pretty good sense of what we were going to do. Andrew was a guy we liked all season and we were surprised to see him last that long and we were happy he fell to us.”
After being passed on by Kitchener, he fell to the Spirit, picked 18th overall. Allowing the brothers to play together, Josh Brown added how it would be the first time that the Rangers picked a twin since 2014. Last it happened, it was Adam Mascherin, now a member of the AHL’s Texas Stars. Not only that, but much like the brothers, the Maple, ON native was a first-round selection.
When speaking about the chance to join the Rangers along with his brother, Jacob said of the family affair, “The whole family just jumped up excited. They were my favourite team the whole time and I was hoping I would be drafted by them.”
This was the same idea that Andrew ran with after being selected. We literally do everything together,” he said. “We have that twin connection. It’s a really good relationship.” Coming from a large family himself, Mike obviously considered this and jumped to complete it.
Speaking of what they bring to the table, Mike McKenzie said from a scouting standpoint, “We picked Andrew first but we really value Jacob as well. We don’t think he’s a third-round player. We had him rated much higher than that.” Watching his brother go before him, Jacob couldn’t have drawn it out any better. “It was stressful after my brother was selected. I was just praying that no one else would pick me.”
Lucky for the family from Nobleton, their parents only have to go to one city to watch them. It worked just as well for the brothers, who for most of their lives, have never seen much space. So much so that the difference between Jacob and Andrew and the time that separates them is just one minute.
Likely to join Andrew and Jacob with the Kitchener Rangers alongside Trent Swick is Jackson Parsons of the Cornwall Colts, forward Cutter Gauthier, George Fegaras and Kai Dunits. Overall, the Rangers drafted three defensemen, two goalies and 12 forwards.
When speaking about the selections of Andrew and Jacob with the first two picks, Scott Barnes, who is the GM and coach of the GOJHL’s Thorold Blackhawks, said, “Andrew is a very offensive forward who competes hard. He has unbelievable puck skills and puck protection. Jacob’s defensive skating and positioning are strong and he has such a great stick that he’s tough to play against.”
As cited by Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record, Barnes has been working with the brothers to develop their skills since they were four-years-old. He did so at his own hockey clinics and as a result, has only good things to say. He mentioned how Andrew and Jacob are both smart players and are highly skilled. What separates them on the ice isn’t looks or talent, but they way they perform. “One shoots right (Jacob) and one shoots left (Andrew),” Barnes said.
When speaking of the draft overall, Mike McKenzie said about what they accomplished, “On the whole, I think the draft went very well for us and we were really happy with some of the picks we made. There were certain guys that were there that we had interest in and we were able to get them, so as a whole, we were really happy with how the day unfolded. I don’t think it ever goes completely as planned so you do have to make adjustments as you get going, but there were definitely some guys, especially early on, that we really liked and were hoping that would be there for us and they were and, you know, when it came to that selection, it was a pretty obvious choice on some of those guys.”
Because of self isolation to flatten the curve of the novel coronavirus, the OHL couldn’t do it in person which would make for a first, having done it online. When speaking about this change, a decision made to prevent further spread, McKenzie said, “Yeah, it was obviously a really unique situation this year, you know, it’s something we’ve never had to do before and we put a lot of kinda effort and time into testing some of these things out the week leading up with the video conferencing and the different ways of communication, but I think overall, we’re pretty happy with how it all went, you know, you’d like to have every guy in the room, they work hard all year to go and watch games and, you know, there are rewards of getting to be in there in that kind of commodore of a staff, you know, that’s part of the draft as well, so we lost a little bit of that feeling, but overall, I think it did go well with the unique situation that we found ourselves in this year.”
In closing, McKenzie said of the overall outlook going into next season, “I just think we got a lot of really good players, guys that are skilled, compete hard and are smart and I think everyone’s gonna enjoy seeing those guys come September when we’re back in the rinks again.”
Last, but not least, the Kitchener Rangers announced three weeks ago the recipients for this year’s club who will walk away with a shelf of new hardware. Winning the Jim Reilly Award as the team’s regular season scoring champion was Riley Damiani, the Rangers captain, an NHL draftee of the Dallas Stars.
Taking home some brand new hardware, Damiani recorded 22 multi-point games en route to being named this year’s recipient. In a statement from Mike McKenzie, he proudly said of what Riley accomplished, “Riley has been one of our most consistent offensive players for the last two seasons and has found a way to regularly produce points and play a huge role in our team’s offence.”
Winning the Jim McGeachie Memorial Award was Finnish import Declan McDonnell. McDonnell, as per the Rangers, exhibited outstanding effort, spirit, and commitment to being a member of the Kitchener hockey club. As well, Declan is the first rookie since Ben Fanelli to receive this award. Additionally, McDonnell is the first Rangers rookie to score more than 20 goals in a season since Radek Faksa in 2011-2012.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie, he said of Declan’s stellar character and play, “Declan has all the attributes we look for when we think about what it means to be a Ranger. He shows up everyday to the rink ready to work and has been rewarded for it throughout the season by having a great first year.”
Winning the Herchenrader Family Award is Devils draft pick Michael Vukojevic. As per the Kitchener Rangers, this award is presented to the Rangers player exemplifying the best defensive ability during the regular season.
Among Kitchener Rangers defensemen the past two seasons, Vukojevic has found himself ranked in the top five for points as well as plus/minus.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to his strength and versatility, he said, “Michael has played all season against the top lines and top players on other teams. He has been a rock for us defensively all year long.”
Winning the Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman Award is Coyotes draft pick Axel Bergkvist. Bergkvist receives this honour as the Kitchener Rangers best offensive defensemen.
As per the Kitchener Rangers, Axel is the first Rangers defensemen to record at least 40 assists and 50 points in a season since Ryan Murphy in 2011-2012.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to his reliability, he said, “Axel has shown he can provide offence from the back end and has been a key part of our power-play all season. His shooting and passing ability have helped him lead our defence in scoring this year.”
Winning the Most Popular Player Award is Panthers draft pick Greg Meireles. As per the Kitchener Rangers, Greg finished his Rangers career with a second-straight 30+ goal season and ranks Top 25 all-time in Rangers regular season scoring.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie when discussing the importance of Greg Meireles, he said, “Greg was voted most popular by his teammates and, when that happens, you know he is a guy that players look up to and see his work ethic on and off the ice.”
Winning a pair of awards was L.A. Kings draft pick Jacob Ingham. Jacob won the three stars award, making 33 saves in his lone season in Kitchener. As such, he is the first Rangers goaltender since John Murray in 2006-2007 to record at least that many wins.
As per the Kitchener Rangers, one of Ingham’s 10 first-stars this season was awarded after the Teddy Bear Toss game – a 4-0 shutout victory over the London Knights.
Presented by Kitchener Sports Association, Ingham also won the Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award. Named as this year’s recipient, Ingham participated in team community initiatives, such as the Kitchener Rangers School Tour, while continuing his #JakeSaves partnership with Canada’s Lifeline and Hockey Gives Blood.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to the work Jacob did in the community, he said, “It is rare to see a 19 year-old have the maturity that Jacob shows. He has given a lot of his time and effort to help in various areas – most notably his Hockey Gives Blood project – and has made our community a better place by doing so.”
Winning the Blueline Club Award was Coyotes draft pick Axel Bergkvist. Bergkvist receives this honour, being named by the team as the Most Gentlemanly Player.
As mentioned by the Kitchener Rangers, Axel’s maturity, leadership, and hard-working nature were on full display this season; not only by appearing in 62/63 games but also being heavily involved in team events and appearances.
Further to that effect, GM Mike McKenzie said of his mannerisms, “While managing to still play hard and produce, Axel has found a way to do it while also being a gentlemen on and off the ice.”
Winning the Michael Pappert Memorial Trophy was Hamilton native and centreman Francesco Pinelli. Pinelli receives this honour, being named by the team as the Rookie of the Year.
As per the Kitchener Rangers, among Ontario Hockey League rookies, Francesco was ranked in the top five for goals, assists, points, plus/minus and shots on goal.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to his junior debut year, he said, “Francesco had an impressive rookie season and made a huge mark on the league that very few 16-year-old players can make. The future is very bright for him.”
Winning the Les Bradley Award was Hamilton native and defensemen Arber Xhekaj. Xhekaj received this honour, being named by the team as the Most Improved Player.
As per the Kitchener Rangers, Xhekaj became just the third Rangers defensemen in the past ten seasons to have a plus/minus rating greater than +25.
In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to Xhekaj’s development, he said, “Arber’s improvement this year has been remarkable. He has taken his game to a new level and has been a huge part of the team this year.”
Last, but not least, winning the Jim Malleck Memorial Award was 6’4 goaltender Jacob Ingham. Ingham receives this honour, being named by the team as Most Valuable Player.
As per the Kitchener Rangers, Ingham is the first Rangers goaltender since Scott Dickie in 2002-2003 to finish with the most wins in an OHL season. In a statement from Mike McKenzie with regards to the backstop from Barrie, Ontario, he said, “Jacob has been the backbone of our team all season long. Without him, there is no way we could have had the success we had throughout the year.”
Although the season is over as the province of Ontario remains under quarantine, it certainly didn’t stop the Rangers and the OHL from getting out in front of it. As we now look ahead to next season, be prepared to see a large group of new faces as the Kitchener Rangers look to form a new squad, who in September, will take the ice at The Aud.