Kitchener Rangers Roster 2019: A Comprehensive Look
The Kitchener Rangers, a major junior ice hockey team based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, had an exciting roster in the 2018-2019 season. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Kitchener Rangers roster 2019, highlighting key players, their positions, and notable achievements.
Goaltenders
Starting with the netminders, the Rangers had a solid duo in 2019. Jacob Ingham, a 19-year-old from Barrie, Ontario, was the primary starter. Ingham played 46 games, posting a .897 save percentage and 3.42 goals-against average. His counterpart, Lucas Pfeil, a 19-year-old from Germany, appeared in 16 games, with a .891 save percentage and 3.74 GAA.
Defensemen
The Rangers' blue line was a mix of youth and experience in 2019. Giovanni Vallati, a 19-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, led the team in defenseman scoring with 51 points in 68 games. He was joined by veterans like Kyle Gentile and Michael Vukojevic, who provided stability and leadership. The Rangers also had promising young prospects like Alec Regula and Arber Xhekaj contributing to the lineup.
Notable Defensemen
- Giovanni Vallati: Led team defensemen in scoring with 51 points in 68 games.
- Alec Regula: A 19-year-old from Oshawa, Ontario, who scored 23 points in 64 games.
- Arber Xhekaj: An 18-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, who had 17 points in 64 games and was known for his physical play.
Forwards
The Kitchener Rangers' forward group was led by captain Greg Meireles, who had 74 points in 68 games. He was joined by fellow 100-point producers Rickard Hugg and Jonathan Yantsis. The Rangers also had promising young forwards like Joseph Garreffa and Isaac Langdon contributing to the lineup.
Notable Forwards
- Greg Meireles: Captain of the team, scored 74 points in 68 games.
- Rickard Hugg: A 20-year-old from Stockholm, Sweden, who had 101 points in 68 games.
- Jonathan Yantsis: A 20-year-old from Kitchener, Ontario, who scored 100 points in 68 games.
Rangers' 2019 Achievements
The Kitchener Rangers finished the 2018-2019 season with a 38-25-5-0 record, good for second place in the Midwest Division. They made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Guelph Storm. The Rangers also had several individual achievements, including:
| Achievement | Player |
|---|---|
| OHL scoring champion | Rickard Hugg (101 points) |
| OHL plus-minus leader | Giovanni Vallati (+43) |
| OHL goal-scoring leader | Jonathan Yantsis (42 goals) |
