KITCHENER – With the Kitchener Rangers preparing for a fresh taste of regular-season action, set to open their 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season in front of a hometown crowd at The Aud, the team has officially named its list of captains before they take to the ice.
The Blueshirts have announced the five names included in their leadership squad ahead of the season, headlined by the team’s third back-to-back defenceman to wear the coveted ‘C’ captain’s patch, with Andrew MacNeil named as the Rangers’ 61st team captain.
“Being the captain of the Kitchener Rangers means everything to me,” said MacNiel.
“To be able to lead such an historic franchise is an honour and a privilege. I was lucky enough to learn from two great captains in Cam Reid and Matt Andonovski, and I feel ready to lead this group into battle every night.”
The team said MacNeil’s selection is a “reflection of the strong leadership he has shown throughout his time with the Rangers, both in the dressing room and the community.”
It comes as MacNeil, the Montreal Canadiens prospect, helped to create Andrew’s Ambition, an initiative that has raised more than $58,000 in support of childhood cancer research.
Graphic showing the five members named to the Rangers’ leadership squad (Kitchener Rangers)
It now marks the third time in a row that the Rangers have named a defenceman as captain, following the likes of Cameron Reid and Matthew Andonovski.
The last forward to have been named to the role was Francesco Pinelli during the 2022-23 season.
“Andrew is a natural leader and a great teammate,” said Rangers Head Coach Jeff Kyrzakos.
“He’s a competitor who plays a fearless game. He has everything you want in a Captain and he’s earned this.”
Andrew isn’t alone, though, in the team’s leadership squad, which has also named four others as alternate captains through the 2026-27 season.
Those include Cameron Arquette, Alexander Bilecki, Tanner Lam, and Luca Romano, who the team said have each “demonstrated strong leadership on and off the ice, and they will play a crucial role in supporting MacNiel as the Rangers aim for a successful season.”
Bilecki and Romano will wear the “A” on their jersey for every game, while Arquette and Lam will alternate throughout the season, with Arquette wearing the patch during away games and Lam during home matchups.
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“Luca Romano is one of two four-year guys on this team. He means so much to us. His commitment to playing the right way makes him a guy others can look up to,” said Kyrzakos.
“Alex Bilecki is a truly dynamic player who has seen maturity not only in his game but off the ice as well.”
“Tanner Lam is the second of only two four-year players on our team. He’s grown as a player and a person over his time here and we feel he is more than ready to be a leader on our team.”
“Finally, Cameron Arquette is an immensely popular teammate. His work ethic and energy are contagious and he’s a natural part of our leadership group.”
The five, alongside the rest of the East Avenue Blue, will take the ice for the first time Friday night, Sept. 18, as they get set to welcome the visiting Owen Sound Attack to town.
That’s all before the team travels to Owen Sound for a matchup in enemy territory Saturday.
Puck drop Friday night is set for 7 p.m., with a special pre-game ceremony before the game gets underway to raise up the team’s championship banner into the rafters.
Coverage will start at 6:30 p.m. and can be heard live on our sister station FM 985.
