‘We’re there to win’: Rangers ride championship wave into Memorial Cup after historic OHL sweep

After a playoff run where the Rangers only dropped two games on their way to their OHL title, Kitchener has one final stop; the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C.

The Kitchener Rangers are still soaking in the franchise’s first Ontario Hockey League (OHL) championship in nearly two decades — but the focus is already shifting west.

After sweeping the Barrie Colts in four games to capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup, the Rangers are now preparing for the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C.

For many players, the championship still hasn’t fully sunk in.

“It’s been unbelievable,” forward Dylan Edwards said while reflecting on the title run. “A lot of support around the city...these fans are unbelievable. You know, I’ve only been here since December, but feels like I’ve been here a while. So, to get these fans of championships, they deserve this whole thing.”

The Rangers clinched the OHL title on May 12 in Barrie with a 4-2 win in Game 4, ending an 18-year championship drought for one of the league’s most storied franchises.

Defenceman Cameron Reid said the moment carried extra meaning because of the city’s hockey history and fan support.

“It was really cool to win. I mean, to have that kind of 18-year drought, especially in an organization like this,” Reid said. “The fans are so passionate, you could tell that every game.”

Kitchener went undefeated on home ice during the playoffs, feeding off crowds at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

“We were undefeated in playoffs at home, which is really hard,” Reid said. “They’re such loud and electric playoff games. You don’t really get that anywhere else.”

Edwards said the team’s chemistry has been a driving force throughout the playoff run.

“We have so many guys in there that are willing to die for each other,” he said. “I’ve said before, and I’ll say it again, we just got a real good group in there. We’re always hanging out, enjoying time together and just loving the ride.”

Head coach Jussi Ahokas credited the championship to the group’s consistency and team-first mentality.

“Hard work pays off. We’ve had a great, great team,” he said. “You have to put the team first, and good things happen. I think playing the right way, you get results.”

Ahokas said the Rangers handled pressure well throughout the playoffs, especially during a tightly contested final series against Barrie.

“All those games were tight, but our boys did a great job. Just going game by game...we still kept getting better,” he said. “I thought the last final game, we did a really good job because that’s always the hardest to win. So, I think as always, when you sweep some team, it’s a hard thing to do.”

The coach also praised the leadership inside the dressing room, calling the players “great human beings” who looked after each other on and off the ice.

The Rangers now head to Kelowna for the Memorial Cup tournament, which begins later this month.

While the celebration around the championship has continued across Kitchener, players say the team’s mindset has already shifted toward chasing another title.

“Our mindset is already on the Memorial Cup,” Ahokas said.

Reid said confidence has been a major part of the Rangers’ success heading into the national championship tournament.

“You’re not going to go anywhere doubting yourselves or anything like that. Especially this group here, we got guys that want it and they’re going to do whatever it takes to learn.”

The Rangers will represent the OHL at the Memorial Cup in Kelowna from May 21 to May 31.