Kitchener Rangers’ head coach named OHL Coach of the Year

Kitchener Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is seen in this undated photo. (Courtesy: Kitchener Rangers on Twitter)

The accolades keep coming for the Kitchener Rangers.

Head Coach Jussi Ahokas has been named the 2024/2025 recipient of the Matt Leyden Trophy, the award given to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) coach of the year.

The league’s general managers voted for Ahokas for helping lead the Rangers to their fourth 100-point season in franchise history.

Under his watch, the team finished the regular season with the second most points in the league.

Ahokas said it was an honour to receive the award.

“It is a testament to the great work this team has done up to this point and I am really proud of that. This award is also a reflection of the great coaching staff around me. This wouldn’t be possible without them, so this award is shared with them,” he said in a news release Thursday.

Ahokas is originally from Finland and played as a goalie before he moved on to coaching. He coached the Finnish team at the 2019 World Juniors in Vancouver, B.C., where they captured a gold medal.

This is his second season as head coach of the Rangers.

Last week, the Rangers’ goaltender Jackson Parsons was named as the OHL’s top overage player.