Kitchener Rangers have a new look
Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League have completed a re-make of their coach-management team.
The Rangers on Friday promoted associate coach Mike Van Ryn to replace recently-fired bench boss Troy Smith.
Van Ryn first joined the Rangers in 2013 and has prior OHL experience as an assistant with the Niagara Ice Dogs as well as in the minor pro, American Hockey League.
As a player, the 36-year old Van Ryn skated in 362 games as a National Hockey League defenceman after suiting up for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have hired two assistants away from other OHL teams — Jay McKee moves to Kitchener from the Erie Otters and Daniel Tkaczuk joins the Blueshirts from the Owen Sound Attack.
Meanwhile, Michael McKenzie — who was an assistant coach with the Rangers the past three seasons — has been promoted to assistant general manager under GM Murray Hiebert.
McKenzie is a son of TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie and a nephew to Kingston Frontenacs assistant coach John Goodwin.
PHOTO: Part of the Kitchener Rangers re-organization are (left to right) Michael McKenzie, Mike Van Ryn, Jay McKee and Daniel Tkaczuk.