Team Awards

The Jim Malleck Memorial Trophy – MVP

Named after former Director and Past President through the 1960’s and into the 1970’s, Jim Malleck, and awarded for the first time following the 1985-86 season, the Most Valuable Player award is one of the greatest honours to be bestowed upon a player. It is awarded to the player deemed to have the most profound impact on the team’s success.

Francesco Pinelli was the Rangers’ first-round pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and has spent the last four seasons in Kitchener.

The Stoney Creek ON, native was named the club’s 57th Captain in 2021 and has shown he makes an impact for the Blueshirts by recording a career-high 90 points this season, including 41 goals and 49 assists, in 60 games. Proving to be dangerous when short-handed, Pinelli led the Ontario Hockey League during the regular season with five short-handed goals and led the league during the 2023 Playoffs with three short-handed goals.

The Jim Reilly Award – Scoring Champion

Named after Rangers’ past director, Jim Reilly, the award was first given out in team’s inaugural season in 1963-64. Dwight Foster’s mark of 143 points in the 1976-77 season remains a franchise high for points in a season by a Rangers player.

Francesco Arcuri joined the Kitchener Rangers in December in a trade with the Kingston Frontenacs, who selected the Woodbridge, ON native in the second round of the 2019 Priority Selection. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-shot forward was a sixth-round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft, and before coming to Kitchener amassed 23 goals scored in 35 games played this season. 

Arcuri was a powerhouse on special teams amassing 18 power play goals, good for 3rd highest in the league, and 15 power play assists. He ended the season 4th in the OHL in goals with 48 scored during the regular season. 

The Ted Scharf Humanitarian Award

Presented by the Kitchener Sports Association, this award is presented to the player who contributed the most to the community during the season. The award is named after alumnus and former Rangers President Ted Scharf, a leader himself in community efforts and involvement.

Reid Valade is just the fourth player in franchise history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. 

A fan favourite for his speed and hardworking nature, he is also admired and respected for the time he gives to the community off the ice. Valade participated in more community appearances and events than any other Ranger during the 2022-23 season. He spearheaded a blood donation drive through the Hockey Gives Blood umbrella, getting more than 10 Rangers players and 15 members of the public to also give blood.  

In addition to team-sponsored community events, Valade went above and beyond to attend schools on his own time, without the assistance or resources of the Rangers staff. His willingness to attend every event recommended by our club has been the most impressive part of his leadership skills off the ice.

The Herchenrader Family Award

This award was donated by former Director Alf Herchenrader and his family. As the old saying goes, defence wins championships. Certainly, without it, it makes the road to winning a lot more difficult. Whether it be a quarterback on the powerplay, or a speedy sniper who jumps into the rush, a well-rounded blueliner is a focal point to the success of any club.

The Highland Park, Illinois native, Simon Motew, dressed for 57 regular season home games this season, helping the Rangers by blocking shots and breaking up plays by the opposing team.  During the regular season, the blue-liner collected 4 goals and a career-high 25 assists. 

The Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman Award

The award is named after Rangers’ former longtime assistant trainer Bob ‘Snowy’ Schlieman. An offensive defenceman can be a game-changer for a team, providing secondary scoring from the back-end, or seamlessly jumping into the rush and confusing the opposition.

The Washington, Michigan native, Hunter Brzustewicz tallied 6 goals and 51 assists for a total of 57 points in 68 games played. His 57 points were eighth-most among OHL rearguards and the most by a Rangers defenceman since Ryan Murphy in the 2010-11 Season. 

CityNews 570 3-Star Award

Each time a Rangers player is chosen as 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd Star in a game, points are given to the player and accumulated at the end of the regular season; three points for 1^st, two for 2^nd and one for 3^rd. The player with the most points earns the CityNews 570 3-Star Award.

Captain Francesco Pinelli proved to be a difference maker collecting an impressive two 3rd stars, six 2nd stars, and seven 1st stars in 60 games played. Pinelli finished the season 12th in OHL scoring and was a difference maker both on special teams and when full strength.

The Jim McGeachie Memorial Trophy

Named in honour of former left-winger Jim McGeachie, who passed away suddenly in a car accident in the summer of 1980 at the age of 19 while a member of the Rangers.

The winner of this award exhibits outstanding effort, spirit, and commitment to being a member of the Rangers. He exhibits competitiveness, as well as dedication to the game and to his teammates.

Hard-working Hunter Brzustewicz was consistent all season, playing in all 68 regular season games while amassing 57 points at a 0.84 points per game average.  The smooth-skating, intelligent right-shot defenseman, is calm under pressure and is often able to shake off opponents in key moments for the team. Ending the season with a plus/minus of +8 the Michigan native led the team in assists at 51, and power play assists at 23.

Blueline Club Award

Our next award is presented to the player who best embodies sportsmanship and respect for the game in true Rangers fashion.

Appearing in 52 regular season games Filip Mešár recorded the second-lowest amount of penalty minutes of any Rangers player. Coming to the Rangers after being a first-round selection (26th overall) by the Montréal Canadiens in the most recent 2022 NHL Draft, the Slovakian native has always been professional and courteous when dealing with media, staff, fans, and other teammates. Filip ended this season with 17 goals and 34 assists for 51 points.

Les Bradley Award

Named after longtime Rangers trainer Les Bradley. Bradley was a mainstay on the bench from 1969-1986, then after retiring as the team trainer, spent more than 15 years as a team ambassador in the press room.

The Les Bradley Memorial Award is presented to the team’s most improved player, and there is no denying the winner this season. It was a break-out year for Kitchener’s Matthew Sop, as he more than doubled his previous 22 points in 2021-22, for 56 points this regular season.

He recorded a career-high 23 goals and 33 assists, while also recording the fourth-highest plus/minus on the team with +22. Sop made a clear effort to become physically stronger this season and put in a full effort during every shift.

Charles Chalkin Memorial Award

The award for Best Performer in the Playoffs is named after former Rangers Director from the late 1960’s/early 1970’s, Charles Chalkin. From game-winning goals to series-saving stops, 43 players have been presented with the Charles Chalkin Memorial Award since its inception in 1975-76.

Mitchell Martin’s second Ontario Hockey League Playoff appearance saw the forward collecting 4 goals and 5 assists for a total of 9 in the same number of games played.  #59 had a steady point per game average including a three-point outing in game three of round one versus Windsor, helping the Rangers sweep the top-seeded team.