It’s been an off-season of change for the Kitchener Rangers. The club announced a new head coach this summer, but they’re also adding some faces behind the bench that fans already know. They’re bringing back some pro-experienced leaders in hopes of continuing a winning culture. Former 2007-08 OHL champion Nick Spaling is back in blue with the Kitchener Rangers, taking over the role of assistant coach. “It’s a chance to be a part of a team that has given me so much. I was a part of it. And then a chance to work with these young athletes at this age, I think it’s a fun time to be a part of their progress and their journey. I think right now, between moving on from now to pro or moving into life in the real world too, I think it’s a fun time to be a part of these kids’ lives and help them out both on and off the ice. Then also just to be a part of Kitchener is a really exciting opportunity for me,” Spaling said. Spaling was last with the Rangers for their 2007-08 run to the Memorial Cup final. The 37-year-old Drayton, Ont. native said the club’s goals to put a great product on the ice and serve the community remain the same. “They do a good job of that still. So, I think there’s changes as far as faces, but I think the organization is staying true to what they do. Then there’s some guys like Dan Lebold that are still there. So, there’s still some friendly faces around there, which is awesome to see. As far as the city, I know their fans are the same. Still passionate, still loving it. So, the city’s growing, but I think they still love the Rangers,” Spaling said. “It’s an easy decision when you know the culture around the team, you know how the team treats people, how they treated me, how they run their operations there. I think it makes it easier. You don’t go in kind of guessing some of those things or hoping. I think, you know right away that side of the organization. Then also just knowing the city and the passion the fans have, I think it’s hard to beat in this league, obviously. So I think it’s a pretty simple decision.” Spaling brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his former club. He played in 437 NHL games, won a gold medal with Canada at the Spengler Cup in 2016, and most recently won a GOJHL championship as assistant coach of the Cambridge RedHawks. Under his guidance and head coach Todd Bertuzzi, the RedHawks only lost five games all regular season and once in the playoffs. “I learned a lot about that junior level, being with that age group. I think I’ve said before that it really showed me that this is the age I enjoy to work with. I enjoy watching these kids in these years of 16 to 20. And, like I was mentioning, it’s just such a great time to be a part of their journey and their growth. So, it showed me that. And then I think just the coaching-wise, working with those guys has been awesome. They taught me a lot, definitely gave me a lot of things I think that will make me feel a lot more confident going into this year at this step up,” Spaling said. Another familiar face joining the club this season is Jake Paterson, who will serve as goalie coach and video coach. The 32-year-old appeared in 26 games with the Rangers in 2014-15 and represented Canada at the World Juniors twice. He followed that experience with a pro career across the ECHL, AHL, Norway and Slovakia. He also owns his own instructor program, instructing goalies of all levels. On the hockey operations level, Michael Zsolt moves from assistant general manager to associate general manager. Brad Flynn fills the associate coach role left by Jeff Kyrzakos. While director of sports science Brandon Merli also takes on the role of director of player development. Additions for watching games at The Aud While the Rangers have made lots of changes behind their bench, fans will notice some new things this year at The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Most notably, Club 51 has taken over the former subscribers’ lounge just outside the Dom Cardillo Arena doors. It’s a new sports bar that will be operated by the Rolleman Restaurant Group. According to the city, the “51” name commemorates the year The Aud opened – 1951. It’s set for a grand opening the night of the Rangers’ first game on Sept. 18.
