If hype was the goal, the Kitchener Rangers certainly brought their all this weekend, where both players and fans felt the energy as they welcomed the 2024-2025 season ahead.
On Sunday, Sept. 1, the Rangers hosted a busy Fan Fest at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium to conclude their three-day preseason showcase featuring a series of games with the Erie Otters, Saginaw Spirit and Brantford Bulldogs.
Fans of all ages enjoyed community booths, a BBQ with net proceeds supporting Make-A-Wish Canada and, of course, an autograph session with Rangers Players.
A long line formed at the player’s autograph table early in the morning, with fans eagerly waiting to meet the players they will be rooting for.
Joe Birch, COO of the Kitchener Rangers, expressed his gratitude for the community and enthusiasm for how the event unfolded.
“It’s the first time that our players really get introduced as a team to the community and so they really get to see the love and the passion that Rangers nation has for us,” Birch said.
With that passion from fans, comes an eagerness for the Rangers to keep the momentum going at each game, whether it’s a win or a loss.
“It starts here from the moment [the fans] arrive at Fan Fest through hopefully all 34 home games,” Birch said.
“It’s really important that when they come, they have a really fun, safe and inclusive experience, and our fans are very passionate about us and that’s great because that means there’s an expectation that our players perform,” he said.
With such expectations comes excitement for what a new season ahead may hold.
Birch noted that it is tricky to manage expectations at such an early time but holds coaching staff in high regards with efforts put forward with players.
“We really have a bright future in the way that our roster has been built,” Birch said.
“We had eight players at Team Canada programming this past summer and that’s a true testament to the work that Mike McKenzie [the general manager] and Jussi Ahokas [the head coach] and his staff have done.”
This weekend, the Rangers announced defenceman Matthew Andonovski as captain for the upcoming season. The 19-year-old from Markham, Ontario is entering his fourth season with the Rangers. He shared his advice for a notably young team of players joining the ranks this season.
“I think the biggest thing is to just be yourself and try to bring a super inclusive environment,” Andonovski said. “I was accepted in the room, and it made me excel and play on the ice and that’s the biggest thing I’m trying to bring.”
Andonovski expressed his appreciation for events like Fan Fest.
“It means a lot, all the support we get, and it’s nice to give back to the community… and see all the fans that support us day-in and day-out,” he said.
For more information about the Kitchener Rangers and the upcoming season, visit chl.ca/ohl-rangers/.
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