The Kitchener Rangers dropped the puck for their home opener on Friday Sept. 19, clinching a win in overtime against the Brantford Bulldogs.
The Rangers fell short early in the game, with the Bulldogs leading 3-0 going into the third period.
Cameron Arquette changed the tempo of the game, scoring their first goal in the third, with Tanner Lam tying the game at 3-3.
Lam scored the winning goal 41 seconds into overtime, giving fans an exciting end to a suspenseful game.
The Rangers’ home opener is just the first of what the team hopes to be an exciting season.
“The start of the season is always met with great expectations and energy, especially with the group that we have of hockey players that have returned from last season,” Joe Birch, chief operating officer of the Kitchener Rangers, said.
Birch said the team has used the off-season to build off of successes from last year. From a roster perspective, he noted two significant additions to the team for the year.
“The return of Jack Pridham is very significant for us. And then the signing of Christian Kirsch to do his best in filling the void of Jackson Parsons,” Birch said.
In addition to new signings, Birch noted the work that Mike McKenzie, General Manager of the Kitchener Rangers, has done to retain players. Retention, Birch said, is equally as important as bringing in new players.
“That work that was done by him and our entire coaching staff really has set us up for a year that we hope to take another step. [Last year] we made it to the third round. Can we make it to the fourth round? I think we have the right players and the right mindset,” he said.
Off the ice, the Rangers as an organization has undergone growth during the off season.
During the off season, the Rangers renovated their Rangers Authentic Store for fans looking for merchandise.
“We’ve got additional square footage—which will be great for mobility within the store—new floor, new paint and a new exit point with a new entry. So, we think overall, it should enhance the fan experience,” Birch said.
While this season is just getting started, the Rangers are looking towards the Memorial Cup.
In September, the Kitchener Rangers were named one of two finalists to host the Memorial Cup. After submitting a full bid application and a presentation to the selection committee, a final decision will be made in December.
Kitchener last hosted the Memorial Cup back in 2008. Birch is hopeful that the upgrade to the facility, an upcoming brand-new restaurant, a new dressing room tour, and the renovated Rangers Authentic Store, all added since 2008, will be compelling features in successfully bringing the cup to Kitchener.
“The community is looking for it, and the fan base deserves it,” Birch said.
“Our hockey roster has been being built and constructed since the April 2023 draft. The hockey team is ready to push, and the players are ready to compete for it. So the combination of those things make this the right time for it,” Birch said.
Over the years, the Kitchener Rangers have become a community staple in the Waterloo region.
“A lot of fans come every Friday night, that’s been their Friday nights for 40 years…that’s how they socialize, and that’s really amazing,” Birch said.
While fans love to see the Rangers deliver on the ice, Birch said what makes the Rangers special to the community is that the organization is more than just a sports team to its many loyal fans.
“Being a community team, we really try to give back and support the community to the very best of our ability by having our players and so many others really engaged. We’re a fabric of Waterloo Region, and have been forever and will continue to do,” Birch said.
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