Kitchener Rangers wrap up preseason showcase with annual FanFest

With the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) 2025-26 season beginning in mid-September, the Kitchener Rangers wrapped up their preseason showcase with the annual FanFest on Sunday.

The event brought laughter and the smell of barbecue to the parking lot of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. It celebrated Rangers fans ahead of the new season while also raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Fans of all ages had the chance to meet this year’s team ahead of a game against the Saginaw Spirit.

“It’s the first chance that the community gets the opportunity to interact with our players,” said Kitchener Rangers Chief Operating Officer, Joe Birch. “We’ll have around 3,000 fans who come here today… We’ll watch an amazing hockey game and get the opportunity to interact with our players. So, [it’s] a really special day.”

The Rangers FanFest is a free event held during Labour Day weekend. It allows families to enjoy attractions, food and get up close and personal with the Rangers team.

“The start of the year is always met with such great excitement and anticipation, and we know we have a really special hockey team here,” said Birch. “I think that adds to it—not only from the on-ice product and getting to see the players but certainly having our young fans be able to interact with them so closely. It’s a unique combination.”

Rangers player Luke Ellinas is in his final year with the team and has attended FanFest for the past three years.

“It’s always fun to meet [the fans] and see everyone who supports us during the year,” said Ellinas. “It’s cool. You kind of get to know some of them a little personally. It’s awesome to have that relationship with them, so it’s really special.”

The Kitchener Rangers’ FanFest concludes the preseason showcase, during which the team hosted multiple exhibition games against the Brantford Bulldogs, Oshawa Generals and Saginaw Spirit. Tickets to the preseason games helped raise money to support Make-A-Wish.

Anne Boehm, area coordinator for Make-A-Wish, told CTV News the partnership with the Rangers helps grant the wishes of children and their families.

“It’s not only the funds that are raised but the awareness that happens because of this event,” said Boehm. “You can’t put a price tag on that. It’s so unbelievable, and to be associated with the Kitchener Rangers in this area, [there’s] nothing better.”

Fan Jylin Tistalo said he loves coming to the event every year to meet his role models.

“I absolutely love these guys,” said Tistalo. “I think they’re going to be doing so well in the 2026 OHL championship.”

The Rangers were able to tie a bow on their preseason showcase with a win against Spirit during Sunday afternoon’s game, going 6-4. Their final home game of the preseason will be against the Oshawa Generals on Sept. 12.