Kitchener Rangers expected to 'have a young team again' as training camp wraps up
The Kitchener Rangers’ two-day training camp wrapped up Tuesday with a scrimmage among training camp participants.
Players were split up into Team Blue and Team White, which were made up of 39 players who were invited.
They included signed players, draft picks and free agents, and the scrimmages gave team staff a sense of what they’re working with before cuts are made.
“We’re missing quite a bit of points, but I think we’re going to have a hard working group,” said Jussi Ahokas, Kitchener Rangers head coach.
Hard work is something Ahokas knows his team will have to hang their hats on.
They’re preparing for a rebuild of sorts after some veteran players either left the league or were traded. But having young faces around the dressing room isn’t a concern.
“Everybody said we weren’t even going to make the playoffs last year. And we were supposed to have a young team. And we’re going to have a young team again,” said Ahokas, who added several of the players invited to the training camp were only 16-years-old.
Caribbean hockey experience
One player hoping to catch the coaching staff’s attention is Juan Copeland.
The 18-year-old has bounced around a couple of teams in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and finished last season in the United States Hockey League after starting it with the London Knights.
“Obviously the hope is to get a spot and play here,” said Copeland.
He was born in the United States, but his family is from Puerto Rico. And something that could give him a shot at earning a spot is his international experience playing for Puerto Rico’s men’s hockey team.
Kitchener Rangers hold their annual training camp at The Aud on Aug. 27, 2024. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV News)
It’s not a place that’s high in the hockey ranks, or a team that has a history of many OHL or National Hockey League (NHL) players, so he’s used to the spotlight and pressure that comes with lacing up his skates for them.
“It’s definitely interesting. There’s not much hockey out there,” said Copeland. “There’s a little more expectations coming in as a guy who played at the highest level in junior hockey in that organization so far.”
A veteran presence
Someone looking to bring a veteran presence to the locker room is fourth-year defenceman Matthew Andonoviski.
“I’m hoping to bring a lot more leadership, kind of use my experiences when I was 16 and help the younger guys out,” said Andonovski.
With the start of the regular season more than four weeks away, it’s already becoming clear there will need to be a focus on mental toughness.
“I think it’s more of the underdog mentality. We don’t have the pressure on us that we’re going to win every night, but we’re going to come in every game knowing that we have a good shot,” said Andonovski .
Trimming the lineup
Unfortunately for Copeland and several other hopefuls, the Kitchener Rangers announced reassignments after the scrimmage on Tuesday.
Seven forwards, five defencemen, and one goaltender were reassigned:
Forwards
Juan Copeland
Cooper Drennan
Brendan George
Josh Giordano
Mikayil Kahriman
Ryder Roberson
Aidan Zimmerman
Defencemen
Ayden Agius
Nathan Gaitens
Drew McLennan
Tyler Meireles
Ryker Young
Goaltender
Erik Maki
The Rangers begin their season at home against the Erie Otters on Sept. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada travellers share worries and frustrations ahead of possible pilot strike
Here's what customers had to say about their travel plans ahead of a potential Air Canada pilot strike.
Trudeau says Ukraine can strike deep into Russia with NATO arms, Putin hints at war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, regardless of Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
23-year-old Muskoka, Ont., resident highlights the need for rural health care after stroke
The experience of 23-year-old Muskoka, Ont., resident Robyn Penniall, who recently had a stroke, comes as concerns are being raised about the future of health care in her community.
24-packs of Kirkland Signature Greek yogurt recalled over mould
Kirkland Signature Greek yogurt 24-packs are being recalled in Canada due to mould.
2 suspects charged after Lamborghini stolen in armed home invasion in Richmond Hill: police
York Regional Police say they have arrested two suspects and are looking for at least one more following an armed home invasion in Richmond Hill that saw thieves escape in the victim’s Lamborghini.
Former NHL enforcer Stephen Peat dies after being hit by car in B.C.
Stephen Peat, the former Washington Capitals enforcer who fought concussion issues and was homeless at times after leaving hockey, has died from injuries sustained late last month when he was struck by a car while crossing a street. He was 44.
Stuck-in-space astronauts make first public comments since Boeing capsule left without them
Stuck-in-space astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams said Friday they appreciated all the prayers and well wishes from strangers back home.
Ontario's top court dismisses application for bail from Jacob Hoggard
Jacob Hoggard will remain behind bars while he tries to appeal his sexual assault conviction at Canada's top court, a justice with Ontario's Appeal Court ruled Friday, calling the musician's attempt unlikely to succeed.