Kitchener Rangers' Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is the latest winner of the Matt Leyden Trophy. [Natalie Shaver/OHL Images].

Yesterday, the OHL announced that Kitchener Rangers' Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is the winner of the Matt Leyden Trophy, which is presented to the OHL Coach of the Year as voted by General Managers across the OHL.

"I am really honoured to receive this award," said Ahokas. "It is a testament to the great work this team has done to this point, and I am really proud of that."

Ahokas, who is the first European Head Coach in OHL history, went on to stress that, in his eyes, he shares the award with the rest of his coaching staff, without whom the team would not have had the same success.

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Ahokas is in the midst of his second season in the OHL since being hired by the Rangers during the 2023-24 season. He led this year's team to a third-place finish in the Western Conference with a 47-15-4-2 record. It was the fourth 100-point finish in Rangers' history.

"We are extremely proud of Jussi and the entire coaching staff for earning this honour," said GM Mike McKenzie. "It is nice to see them acknowledged for their dedication, hard work and expertise."

Senators Prospect Keeps Rangers Hopes Alive Last night, <a href="http://thn.com/ottawa">Senators</a> prospect Luke Ellinas kept the Kitchener Rangers' season alive by scoring all three goals in their 3-0 win over the Windsor Spitfires. 

The Rangers outperformed expectations this season. Many pundits thought they would be a middle-of-the-pack team. However, they were one of the few teams that managed to keep pace with London and Windsor throughout the season.

The team thrived defensively, allowing the second-fewest goals during the regular season.

Overage goaltender Jackson Parsons, who is committed to Clarkson University, played a huge role in Kitchener's defensive prowess, ending the season with a .920 save percentage while maintaining a 2.24 goals-against average. He ended the season with a career high 37 wins.

Frontenacs Tie The Series At Two The Kingston Frontenacs tied the series against Barrie at two earlier tonight with a 9-4 win on home ice. Vegas Golden Knights prospect Tuomas Uronen led his team, scoring a hattrick before the end of the second period.

The Finnish coach is well decorated, having won gold medals at the 2015-16 U-18 World Junior Championship and the 2018-18 World Junior Championship. This is not the only coach of the year award Ahokas has won. He also received the Kalevi Numminen Trophy, which is awarded to the Liiga Coach of the Year in 2019-20.

In February, the Rangers announced extensions for Ahokas as well as Associate Coach Jeff Kyrzakos and Assistant Coach Brad Flynn. All three are extended through the 2026-27 season.

The Rangers currently find themselves down 3-1 in their second-round series against the Windsor Spitfires. Game five takes place tonight at 7:05 p.m. in Windsor. It is a must-win situation for Ahokas and his team.

Rangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The Year