-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kitchener Rangers announced updates to their roster [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/chromiak-pridham-humphreys-set-to-return-to-rangers-in-2025-26/] regarding five of their players for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Forwards Jack Pridham and Christian Humphreys and defenseman Jakub Chromiak will return to the red, blue, and white lineup next season. Pridham and Chromiak return as overage players. In an adjacent move, the club has released overage forwards Cameron Mercer and Chris Grisolia. Pridham, 19, and Humphreys, 19, are set to attend the training camps for their respective NHL teams this fall. Pridham will join the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks], while Humphreys will be with the Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche]. It would be surprising if either player made the opening lineup, but Pridham has the best chance, as the Blackhawks have a young and rebuilding roster. Kitchener was able to recruit Pridham [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/chicago-blackhawks-prospect-boston-university-commit-headed-for-kitchener] over from West Kelowna of the BCHL in November during the 2024-25 season. The son of Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] Assistant GM, Brandon Pridham, decommitted from Boston University [https://thehockeynews.com/ncaa/latest-news/jack-pridham-decommits-from-boston-university] at the beginning of July. Chicago Blackhawks Prospect & Boston University Commit Headed For Kitchener [https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/MjEwNjM3OTI0MzMxNDMxNzYx/53805417851_683ff583b3_o.jpg] Chicago Blackhawks Prospect & Boston University Commit Headed For Kitchener The OHL's first-place Kitchener Rangers are about to get even stronger up front at forward [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/chicago-blackhawks-prospect-boston-university-commit-headed-for-kitchener] However, after coming over and becoming a top-six impactful forward for the Rangers — he scored 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) in 48 regular season games and 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in 16 playoff games — his decision to return will allow him to continue playing top-line minutes. Humphreys signed with Kitchener in early January last season [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/kitchener-rangers-sign-colorado-avalanche-prospect-university-of-michigan-forward] after playing ten games in the NCAA for the University of Michigan, recording just one assist. The Avalanche's seventh-round draft pick in 2024 chose to decommit from his NCAA scholarship to gain more opportunities for meaningful playing minutes and enhance his development. For Kitchener last season, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 28 regular season games. In the playoffs, he put up 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 13 games. Right-shot defender Chromiak was acquired by the club from the Kingston Frontenacs [https://chl.ca/ohl-frontenacs/article/frontenacs-deal-jakub-chromiak-to-the-kitchener-rangers/] back in October at the start of the season. The Ilava, Slovakia native recorded 32 points (4 goals, 28 assists) in 54 regular season games and 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 16 playoff games for Kitchener during the 2024-25 season. Kingston Frontenacs Sign NCAA-Bound Goaltender & Talented American Forward [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/669e25bf-a607-4048-a0f2-186ac4583379.webp] Kingston Frontenacs Sign NCAA-Bound Goaltender & Talented American Forward In the past week, the Kingston Frontenacs made several signings, including a potential starting goaltender and a promising 2009-born American forward drafted in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/kingston-frontenacs-sign-ncaa-bound-goaltender-talented-american-forward] Chromiak will occupy both an overage and import player spot for the Rangers for the 2025-26 season. Kitchener has one overage spot, leaving the door open for captain Matthew Andonovski to return if he doesn’t play in the AHL or ECHL. “All three of these guys were such a big part of our team last year, and the possibility of all three returning is a huge boost to our team for this upcoming season. All three players had options to play in other leagues, but we are thrilled they have chosen to stay in Kitchener for another season and be key veteran members of our team,” said Kitchener Rangers GM Mike McKenzie. Cameron Mercer, 20, leaves the organization after playing four seasons with them, recording 61 points (21 goals, 40 assists) in 243 games. He was drafted in the third round (51st overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and has developed into a reliable bottom-six center at the OHL level. “We would like to thank Cam for the last four years and his dedication to our program. He was such a popular player around the room and someone that was a pleasure to be around and coach. We will miss Cam but wish him the best of luck in his next chapter,” said McKenzie. The Barrie, Ontario native would be a prime candidate to sign with his hometown Barrie Colts. The Colts swapped overage players with the Niagara IceDogs [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/icedogs-and-colts-swap-overage-players-in-offseason-trade], sending defenseman Grayson Tiller to his hometown, and acquired forward Alexander Assadourian in return. And overage forward Michael Derbidge is expected to return to the Caledonia Corvairs of the GOJHL [https://profitcorvairs.gojhl.ca/derbidge-returns-to-caledonia]. If Brad Gardiner, a former Dallas Stars prospect, returns, this leaves Barrie with one open overage spot. IceDogs And Colts Swap Overage Players In Offseason Trade [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a7b328e2-a8f3-450a-a60a-df04af6cb8e0.webp] IceDogs And Colts Swap Overage Players In Offseason Trade Earlier today, IceDogs' GM Frank Evola completed his first trade by sending Alex Assadourian and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Barrie Colts in exchange for overage defender Grayson Tiller. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/icedogs-and-colts-swap-overage-players-in-offseason-trade] Former Barrie Colts forward Chris Grisolia leaves the Rangers organization after just one season with the club, recording 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 55 games. The Vaughan, Ontario native brings a veteran presence of 232 OHL games. He is a former second-round draft pick (24th overall) by Barrie in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. “Chris was only here for one season, but left a positive mark on our organization with his work ethic and popularity in the dressing room. We wish Chris the best in the next stop on his hockey journey,” said McKenzie. (Top photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: Former NHL Stanley Cup Champion's Son Signs With Owen Sound Attack [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8f58d4f5-3564-40a8-927a-e5acac903b57.webp] Former NHL Stanley Cup Champion's Son Signs With Owen Sound Attack The son of a former NHL Stanley Cup Champion has officially joined the <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-attack/">Owen Sound Attack</a>, bringing more talent and energy to a youthful Attack lineup. This dynamic addition is sure to turn heads as he embarks on his journey to the OHL after spending time in the USHL. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/former-nhl-stanley-cup-champion-s-son-signs-with-owen-sound-attack] Niagara IceDogs Sign 2025 CHL Import Draft Selections Vladislav Yermolenko & Ben Reisnecker [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/feaffd3b-7391-468b-a14c-711bbec7d933.webp] Niagara IceDogs Sign 2025 CHL Import Draft Selections Vladislav Yermolenko & Ben Reisnecker The middle of July is undoubtedly the prime time for OHL teams to secure their import players through the CHL Import Draft. We've witnessed a significant surge in import signings over the past week, and the <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-icedogs/">Niagara IceDogs</a> have put pen to paper with two of their 2025 import draft picks. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/niagara-icedogs-sign-2025-chl-import-draft-selections-vladislav-yermolenko-ben-reisnecker] Ottawa 67's Sign Both 2025 CHL Import Draft Picks Ondrej Ruml & Jasper Kuhta [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1772b147-17f6-4801-a5ec-e11b1b7adbe8.webp] Ottawa 67's Sign Both 2025 CHL Import Draft Picks Ondrej Ruml & Jasper Kuhta OHL teams have been taking advantage of the <a href="https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/changes-announced-for-2025-chl-import-draft/">new rule change</a>, which allows them to carry three import players on their rosters instead of two. <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/oshawa-generals-crease-battle-next-season-adds-a-third-member-russian-import-goaltender-signs-with-team">Oshawa</a> and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/saginaw-spirit-sign-new-no-1-goalie-from-russia">Saginaw</a> have each acquired a Russian goalie for next season, selected from the 2025 CHL Import Draft. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/ottawa-67-s-sign-both-2025-chl-import-draft-picks-ondrej-ruml-jasper-kuhta]
