-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kitchener Rangers recently were blindsided when top 2026 NHL draft prospect Adam Valentini decided not to honor his commitment to the team [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/top-nhl-draft-prospect-adam-valentini-not-to-honor-ohl-commitment-with-kitchener], and instead, head to the University of Michigan for the upcoming season. Well, the Rangers had some positive news to tell their fans on Thursday. The organization announced the signing of defenseman Alex Forrest [https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/press-release-rangers-sign-alex-forrest-to-standard-player-agreement/] to an OHL Standard Player Agreement. He was taken 24th overall as the first selection of the second round in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection. Forrest, 16, won’t have much of a jersey change from what he’s used to. During the 2024-25 campaign, the St. Catharines, Ontario, native played for the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA. In the OMHA division, Forrest was regarded as the top defenseman and backed it up with his play and production. He recorded 39 points (10 goals, 29 assists) in 34 games, first amongst all blueliners in the OMHA. “Alex is an elite-level skater, skilled, and an extremely competitive kid, and we feel he will be a great fit with our hockey club,” said Kitchener Rangers GM Mike McKenzie. Top NHL Draft Prospect Adam Valentini Not To Honor OHL Commitment With Kitchener [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d30dcc16-a641-4e7f-b69f-40a6670343ff.webp] Top NHL Draft Prospect Adam Valentini Not To Honor OHL Commitment With Kitchener Sour news hit the Kitchener Rangers organization, losing a high-end player just before training camp starts. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/top-nhl-draft-prospect-adam-valentini-not-to-honor-ohl-commitment-with-kitchener] After his season ended in the wildcard round of the 2025 OHL Cup, he joined the St. Catharines Falcons of the GOJHL for their playoff run. Forrest didn’t look out of place playing against older and tougher competition in his 13-game playoff stint, recording one goal and three assists. “A confident puck-mover with elite mobility, Forrest thrives with the puck on his stick, constantly shifting, manipulating defenders, and creating space through slick edgework and deception. His ability to walk the blueline and activate below the dots made him a dangerous dual threat all season long for the Oakville Rangers,” PDA Evaluations wrote [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI_wwh_usIM/?hl=zh-cn] regarding Forrest’s game. Hockey Canada identified the fleet-footed offensive defenseman as a promising prospect. Forrest was invited to partake in Hockey Canada’s U17 Summer Development Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/30-ohl-players-heading-to-canada-s-u17-summer-development-camp]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Sarnia Sting Fourth-Overall Pick Brenner Lammens Signs Right Before Training Camp Opens Up [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/22421030-62c1-421d-8971-07e55b7ed45c.webp] Sarnia Sting Fourth-Overall Pick Brenner Lammens Signs Right Before Training Camp Opens Up Just like the Peterborough Petes and Kingston Frontenacs had to do with their 2025 first-rounders, the crueling long wait is over for the Sarnia Sting. Their fourth-overall selection has officially signed and is ready to throw his body through whatever gets in his way at the OHL level. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/sarnia-sting-fourth-overall-pick-brenner-lammens-signs-right-before-training-camp-opens-up] Kingston Frontenacs Sign 2025 First-Rounder Aleks Kulemin, Son Of Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3432cf3a-5943-4a1f-8421-3327fe9c5ae4.webp] Kingston Frontenacs Sign 2025 First-Rounder Aleks Kulemin, Son Of Former Toronto Maple Leafs Forward The Kingston Frontenacs have officially recruited both of their first-round draft picks from the 2025 OHL Priority Selection, even though one of them took a little longer to get over the finish line. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/kingston-frontenacs-sign-2025-first-rounder-aleks-kulemin-son-of-former-toronto-maple-leafs-forward] 2025 First Overall Pick Kaden McGregor Finally Signs With Peterborough [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b52c2fdf-443b-40c0-abc1-a186e027146f.webp] 2025 First Overall Pick Kaden McGregor Finally Signs With Peterborough Better late than never. The Peterborough Petes have finally put pen to paper with the 2025 first overall pick. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/2025-first-overall-pick-kaden-mcgregor-finally-signs-with-peterborough]
