Kitchener Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas looks on from the bench. Photo credit: Natalie Shaver [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/92248245-a3f1-4cf6-b64a-262cded74093.jpeg] Kitchener Rangers Head Coach Jussi Ahokas looks on from the bench. Photo credit: Natalie Shaver -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kitchener Rangers’ Jussi Ahokas became the first European head coach in OHL history when he joined the franchise in 2023. He’s entering his third season behind the bench for the blueshirts, and is coming off a 47-15-6 season where he took home the 2024-25 Matt Leyden Trophy for OHL Coach of the Year [https://chl.ca/ohl-rangers/article/jussi-ahokas-awarded-matt-leyden-trophy-as-ohl-coach-of-the-year/]. The Rangers exceeded expectations last season, considering the fact that they lost several key roster players from the year prior — Carson Rehkopf, Hunter Brzustewicz [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-prospect-pool-overview-25-26-calgary-flames-turned-a-weakness-into-a-strength], and Matthew Sop, to name a few. Many people expected Kitchener to take a step back and finish in the middle of the pack for the 2024-25 campaign. However, the team finished second overall behind the eventual OHL Champions [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/the-london-knights-hang-on-to-win-ohl-championship], the London Knights, and lost in the Western Conference Finals to them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Strength of the Rangers last year was their depth. Only one player recorded 30 or more goals — Adrian Misaljevic with 31 — and only two players with 60 or more points — Misaljevic with 69 and Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] prospect Trent Swick with 61. Having all that depth is great, but it means nothing if the boss who puts together the lines doesn’t develop the right chemistry between his players. That’s where Ahokas comes in. Ahokas has done a magnificent job of finding the right balance throughout his lineup with his players, and after two highly successful seasons as their head coach, the Finnish coach has NHL teams interested in his skills. Waterloo Region-based reporter Josh Brown [https://www.therecord.com/users/profile/josh-brown/], who covers the Kitchener Rangers, reported that Ahokas [https://www.therecord.com/sports/hockey/rangers/kitchener-rangers-coach-jussi-ahokas-on-nhls-radar/article_a7cc0577-622f-59b6-a420-fb5d61736517.html] this summer interviewed for a coaching position in the NHL. And it’s the second consecutive summer he has interviewed for a job in the NHL. Although he informed Brown that the interview process for an assistant coaching position with an unnamed NHL club progressed well, he ultimately did not get the job. He is now returning to Kitchener, where he has two years remaining on his contract. The Oulu, Finland, native has an impressive coaching resume, and it’s only a matter of time before he lands in the NHL. Internationally, as the head coach for Finland, he has won a gold medal at the IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship and a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship. In his first year as a head coach at the top Finnish men’s league (Liiga), he was voted the Coach of the Year, after helping the KooKoo organization achieve a 37-16-6 record for fifth-best in the league, before it was forced to shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Rangers organization recently announced that they have been named a finalist, [https://chl.ca/article/guelph-storm-kitchener-rangers-named-finalists-to-host-the-2027-memorial-cup-presented-by-kubota-canada/] along with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, to host the 2027 Memorial Cup. What better way to showcase yourself than in the biggest junior tournament, that isn’t the World Juniors? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Expanded Coach's Challenge Review System Coming To The OHL; Summary Of New 2025-26 Rule Changes [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3259000a-210c-446c-9973-7844f6eac1b7.webp] Expanded Coach's Challenge Review System Coming To The OHL; Summary Of New 2025-26 Rule Changes The OHL has implemented six rule changes for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The league has partnered up with a Swedish sports tech company named <a href="https://www.spiideo.com/">Spiideo</a>. Their technology is deployed in over 6,000 venues, including the NHL, NBA, and top-tier soccer leagues such as the Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/expanded-coach-s-challenge-review-system-coming-to-the-ohl-summary-of-new-2025-26-rule-changes] Maple Leafs Offering Prospect A Second Chance [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/988c9819-b508-4a50-b600-4f5d13a56243.webp] Maple Leafs Offering Prospect A Second Chance A player selected in the NHL draft has two years to demonstrate that they deserve an NHL contract. If they cannot secure a deal during that time, the NHL team loses their rights to the player, and they re-enter the draft for one final opportunity. If no team selects them, they become a free agent and are free to sign with any NHL team. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/maple-leafs-offering-prospect-a-second-chance] Sebastian Dell'Elce Excited About New Chapter In Niagara, Drawing Inspiration From Older Brother [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ff05c78f-8eac-4545-b331-3db66c30164b.webp] Sebastian Dell'Elce Excited About New Chapter In Niagara, Drawing Inspiration From Older Brother As the Niagara IceDogs get set to open up their 2025 pre-season against the Flint Firebirds on Saturday, Aug. 30, the pack will have several new faces in their lineup. There will be eyes on <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/niagara-icedogs-sign-exciting-talented-top-10-pick-ryerson-edgar">2025 first-rounder Ryerson Edgar</a> and recently acquired <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/vancouver-canucks-prospect-riley-patterson-dealt-from-barrie-to-niagara-following-trade-request">Vancouver Canucks prospect Riley Patterson</a>. However, the organization has a new member on their blueline who is ready to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/sebastian-dell-elce-excited-about-new-chapter-in-niagara-drawing-inspiration-from-older-brother]
