Community

Each season choir members from within the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Region Catholic School Board are invited to perform the National Anthem at our Rangers’ home games.

Choir members are provided complimentary tickets, commemorative t-shirts and the opportunity to perform before a large audience.

The 2019-20 season Anthem Program is presented by Civilian Screen Printing.

Registration is complete for the 2019-20 season and we look forward to hosting your group!

The Kitchener Rangers are proud of their partnership with the Waterloo Regional Police Services, otherwise known as Blue C.R.E.W. Cops and Rangers Educating Waterloo Region is a program that’s unique to both hockey and policing. This program will forward a strong partnership between both organizations that builds on each others respective assets.

Every player on the Rangers roster has been matched up with a member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Teams will work collectively as youth educators and role models, guiding one another through the rewards and challenges of community stewardship, with the hope of building a long lasting camaraderie.

The Rangers and the Waterloo Regional Police both share common goals directed toward building a safe and healthy Waterloo Region.

The goal of the Blue C.R.E.W. is to help educate our community, particularly elementary school children, on such topics as leadership, respect, pride and teamwork.

What better way to present these skills to our community than through “Cops and Rangers”- two organizations that are built on these very foundations.

As this program grows you will notice the Blue C.R.E.W. at multiple community events such as school and hospital visits, safety events and more.

The 2020 Sun Life Financial Kids In Gear Charity Drive once again gave one lucky fan a chance to drive away in a brand new 2020 SUV!

Priscilla S. had her name drawn on January 19th, 2020 as this year’s winner and will have the choice of one of three vehicles:
-a 2020 Mazda CX-5*
-a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox*
-a 2020 Toyota Rav4*
(VALUED AT $32,000 – $39,000)

*Delivery of vehicle subject to availability from dealership. Colour of SUV will be determined based on available stock at dealership when prize is awarded. Base model package awarded.

Other fantastic prizes awarded were:
A pair of Rangers season tickets (valued at $1,532) – Scott W.
Yard-Man 28 inch Snowblower (valued at $1,650) – Randy T.
Hogg Fuels Gas Card (valued at $1,000) – Ben T.
One free KMHA registration (valued at $505) – Marita T.
Hockey Beginnings/Learn to Skate registrations (two made available and drawn separately, valued at $150 each) – Tim W. and  David C.

For complete contest Rules & Regulations, click here.

LOTTERY LICENSE NO.: M761879

Many children ranging in age from infant to 16-years-old within our region along with their families deal with childhood cancer on a daily basis.

The Kitchener Rangers have teamed up with former Rangers forward and National Hockey League player, David Clarkson, to run a program called Clarky’s Kids.

Kitchener Rangers Clarky’s Kids provides children from Grand River Hospital’s POGO (Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) Satellite Centre and sick kids at Grand River Hospital the opportunity to experience the excitement of a Kitchener Rangers game and visit with players and coaches in and out of the hospital. As well, this program continues to raise funds that aid in the support of local families and siblings dealing with a child that is ill.

From 2002 to 2005, Clarkson spent countless hours supporting local community programs. His goodwill and commitment to both the team and the region have inspired numerous people of all ages. He was honoured with the Ted Scharf Award in 2002-03 and 2003-04 for being the Kitchener Rangers Humanitarian of the Year. “It’s great to be able to come back and support a community that supported me when I played here.” – David Clarkson

SUPPORT CLARKY’S KIDS

PLACE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT MESSAGE
Do you know someone special that has a birthday, anniversary or graduation coming up? Surprise them with a celebration message on our centre ice video board! All proceeds go to support Clarky’s Kids. Click here to find out more.

MAKE A DONATION
By mail: Kitchener Rangers, 1963 Eugene George Way, Kitchener, ON N2H 0B8
Cheques may be made payable to Kitchener Rangers/Clarky’s Kids. Tax receipts are issued directly to you from POGO and Grand River Hospital Foundation.

In person: Rangers administration office, 400 East Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2H 1Z6
M-F, 9:30am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Entrance off of parking lot ‘A’

All monetary donations directly benefit sick kids in our region and have specifically helped beneficiaries such as Grand River Hospital’s POGO Satellite Centre, Grand River Hospital pediatric in-patients and POGO.

GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL’S POGO SATELLITE CENTRE
For the past 25 years, POGO has been working on behalf of Ontario’s childhood cancer community to continually improve care for children with cancer.

The clinic located at Grand River Hospital is one of six POGO satellite oncology clinics in the Province of Ontario set up to deliver cancer care closer to home.

To find out more about POGO visit their website at http://www.pogo.ca/
To find out more about Grand River Hospital visit their website at http://www.grandriverhospital.on.ca/

POGO Charitable Registration Number: 871067245RR0001
Grand River Hospital Foundation Charitable Business Number: 88918 0394 RR 0001

We look forward to continuing to bring together members of our community in the 2019-20 season. The Kitchener Rangers Community Corner offers community, not-for-profit and charitable groups the opportunity to market their brand at our game free of charge.

COMMUNITY CORNER INCLUDES:

1. Your event/group/organization logo to be shown on our centre ice video board. Your logo is placed in our Community Corner video.
2. One 6 foot table with two chairs in our designated Community Corner where you may present your messaging as fans enter the venue.
3. Space for two (2) volunteers to help share your group’s message.

POLICY
Run on a first come, first served basis. Event organizer must complete the online application below in full. In order to qualify for this request you must be a charitable organization, community group, or non-profit organization. The Kitchener Rangers are only able to accommodate each group/organization once during the OHL season.

REGULATIONS

1. Event organizer must complete the application form in full to be considered.
2. We will not accept applications from third party fundraisers, groups or businesses or personal/team fundraising.
3. Priority is given to those located in Waterloo Region.
4. One application per year/per group is allowed.
5. Group/organization must adhere to regular ticket holder policy: OHL policy dictates that there will be no audio recording, video recording or photography from a camera with lenses larger than 35mm or SLR camera equipment. Flash photography from personal cameras is strictly prohibited. Management reserves the right to refuse admission or expel from the premises any person whose presence or conduct is deemed objectionable. Ticket holder acknowledges all risks incidental to any game or event and hereby agrees to assume same. Holder consents to reasonable examinations of his/her person and effects to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, by-laws and facility regulations and rules.
6. No more than two (2) volunteers will be allowed access.
7. Activities at your Community Corner must not conflict with any Rangers promotions. You must have approval by Rangers for all activities you wish to host at your Community Corner table. Your application must include information pertaining to the set up of your table to be considered.
8. Volunteers must touch base with Rangers upon arrival and table must be set up before the venue opens to the public: 1.5 hours prior to game time.
9. Table must not be left unattended at any time during game.
10. Volunteers and staff at the table should conduct themselves in a manner of which they would behave at the organizations facilities.

PROCESSING
You will be contacted within 2-4 business days of submitting your application unless otherwise noted. Approved applicants will be emailed with confirmation of their game date and will be required to confirm back to the Rangers within two business days or run the risk of the date being provided to an alternate group or organization.

SCHEDULE OF AVAILABILITY
The Community Corner has been filled for all 2019/20 regular season dates. Please contact Rochelle Thiel (rthiel@kitchenerrangers.com) for playoff bookings.

In 1996-97, the first Don Cameron Potato Night took place at The Aud.

The late Don Cameron spearheaded the initiative of fans bringing spuds – inspired by his native Prince Edward Island – to provide meals and support to families in need in Waterloo Region.

During the 2019/20 season alone, Rangers fans donated $7,400 in monetary donations and 5,000 pounds of potatoes.

Over the past 24 Don Cameron Potato Nights, Rangers fans have raised more than the equivalent of half a million pounds of potatoes for families in need.

We look forward to keeping the potato tradition going for Don every year!

The 2019 Preseason Showcase was held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium from August 30 – September 1, 2019. Along with the Rangers, the Showcase featured the North Bay Battalion, Saginaw Spirit and the Peterborough Petes.

All teams met over the course of the weekend, with three games per team for a total of six weekend games.

Ticket proceeds went to support the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Details for the 2020 event will be posted soon.

The Kitchener Rangers kicked-off the 2019-20 season with fun, food and friends at our annual Fan Fest and Barbecue in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation.  The event was also made possible through the generous efforts of J.M. Schneiders, Sobeys and Sunbelt Rentals.

The annual Fan Fest and Barbecue took place at The Aud on Sunday September 1, 2019 from 10 am – 2 pm as part of the Kitchener Rangers 2019 Preseason Showcase that ran from Friday August 30th- Sunday September 1st.

Fans had the opportunity to meet the Rangers players, enjoy a BBQ lunch and take part in a number of activities including inflatable games and rides!

The Sun Life Financial Kids In Gear program, as always, was on hand to collect new or gently used hockey equipment.

Following the BBQ, the Rangers hosted the final game of the Preseason Showcase vs. the Peterborough Petes.

All proceeds from the 2019 Fan Fest and Barbecue and the Showcase benefited the children’s wish foundation. The Fan Fest and Barbecue raised $4,300 with the Showcase gate proceeds adding $10,500 for a grand donation total of $14,800.

The 2019 proceeds granted Trayton, age fifteen, and his family his most favourite wish – the trip of a lifetime to Atlantis where Trayton wanted to go deep sea fishing and visit all the other attractions that Atlantis has to offer. Trayton’s favourite sport is hockey, he loves everything about the game.

Over twenty-two years, Rangers fans have raised over $203,000.00 for the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Details for the 2020 event will be posted soon. 

Having just completed its tenth anniversary, Hockey Day in Rangers Nation aims to engage the region’s 10-year-old Major Atom house league hockey players, providing them the opportunity to participate in an authentic Rangers’ game day experience.

Fourteen house league teams from around the Waterloo Region experienced what it’s like to be part of the Kitchener Rangers as they play a full game against a team from outside of their own league. Hockey Day in Rangers Nation is an annual event that is offered free to the participants, however, teams are required to purchase a minimal group ticket package for a Rangers home game.

When teams arrived on Hockey Day in Rangers Nation, they were greeted by their very own dressing room attendant. The game-day experience continued with pre-game introductions and full use of The Aud’s state of the art centre ice video board.

Following their game, each player received a gift package and post-game meal. The following day, players re-lived their day as Hockey Day highlights were broadcast on the video scoreboard during the Rangers’ game against the Storm.

Hockey Day in Rangers Nation is limited to 14 teams that are selected through a lottery process.

● Player gift package
● 1 hour game between 8am and 5pm
● Announcer/Video score clock
● Introductions/Highlights
● National anthem
● Dressing room attendant
● Post game meal
● Highlight video during the Rangers game the next day on the centre ice video board

Hockey Day in Rangers Nation is an annual event that is offered free to the participants, however teams are required to purchase a minimum of 30 tickets to the Rangers’ home game the following afternoon.

Details for next season’s event will be posted soon.

For more information on Hockey Day in Rangers Nation, please email Craig Campbell.
Check out Inside the O’s Hockey Day In Rangers Nation feature. Watch now

Applications for 2020-21 school year are currently on hold.  Please check back for updates.

The Kitchener Rangers’ Ivan Tennant Memorial Scholarship is an award available to students from the Region of Waterloo entering first-year undergraduate studies in a Canadian post-secondary institution.

In 2005, the name of the award was changed to honour long time Rangers education consultant Ivan Tennant. The Scholarship Fund is administered through the KW Community Foundation.

The response from the community and previous recipients has been very positive and the scholarship program has become a large part of our proud Rangers tradition.

Awards are not based solely on academic performance and will be paid in the second semester directly to the recipient’s post-secondary institution.

Since 2004, the Kitchener Rangers Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $349,750 in scholarships in honour of Ivan Tennant.

Last season we were happy to announce the awarding of $14,100 in scholarships to 19 graduates of Waterloo Region high schools.

The recipients were presented their awards during the pre-game ceremony on Friday, December 29th, 2019.

Further details on this program for 2020-21 will be found here when they become available.

The Kitchener Rangers offer schools in Waterloo Region the opportunity to participate in the Kitchener Rangers School Tour. Comprised of the Read with the Rangers program and Captain’s Clinic, the Kitchener Rangers School Tour brings the fun of Kitchener Rangers hockey to the classroom.

READ WITH THE RANGERS
Read with the Rangers focused on the importance of literacy while having fun. Students had the opportunity to read with their favourite Rangers players and learn a little more about the players’ experiences with reading and education. Recommended for students JK – Grade 3.

Two Rangers players visit the classroom, read one book (provided by the Rangers) and discuss the material with the class, covering important lessons like respect, goal-setting, sportsmanship and teamwork. Once the reading portion of the program is completed, students ask the players questions (time permitting).

CAPTAIN’S CLINIC
Captain’s Clinics focus on the importance of health and physical activity while learning fundamental hockey skills from some of Canada’s top junior hockey players. Students will have the opportunity to practice hockey specific skills and utilize these skills in a game with their favourite Rangers players. Recommended for students Grades 2 and up.

Two Rangers players visit the gym class and lead the students in a hockey training session designed especially for them. The players will explain the importance of each part of the session and how the skills apply to their game.  At the conclusion of the training session, students ask the players questions (time permitting).

Schools interested in hosting a Captain’s Clinic MUST provide the following equipment: floor hockey sticks and protective eye-wear (enough for the full class and the Rangers), four (4) hockey nets, two (2) balls and two (2) referees.

TO APPLY

Applications for the 2019-20 Kitchener Rangers School Tour has been closed as all spots have been filled.  We will be accepting applications for next season, 2020-21, on Tuesday September 8th, 2020.

To learn more about the program, please email Rochelle Thiel, Community Events and Merchandising Manager at rthiel@kitchenerrangers.com.

This year marked the 15th season the Rangers wore a commemorative jersey that paid tribute and honoured those who have been a part of the Canadian Forces.

The 2019 Commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey was inspired by 16 year-old Daniel Kreller. He wrote us with his idea to pay tribute to his great grandfather

“My great-grandfather was a medic in World War II and my thoughts were to have a medic symbol on the front of the jersey to mark his unit,” said Kreller.

During the First and Second World War, the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) played an essential role in keeping soldiers alive. More than half of all Canadian physicians served overseas during the first World War.

The badge of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps consists of the rod of Asclepius (a serpent entwined around a staff) surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves, surmounted by the Royal Crown, with the name “Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps” on a scroll below.

The front crest of the 2019 jersey features the rod of Asclepius over a maple leaf, while the left arm has a white stripe simulating a Red Cross arm band.

The colours used are close to those worn on the berets of the CAMC following Second World War. As always, a poppy is positioned over the left chest.

All proceeds from this year’s auction benefited the 78th Fraser Highlanders Fort Conestoga Garrison and the Kitchener-Waterloo Poppy Fund. Since inception, the commemorative jersey auction has raised $333,077 for its beneficiaries.

CLICK HERE to view a history of the Kitchener Rangers Commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey’s.

The Kitchener Rangers showed their continued support for the Cambridge Ice Hounds Special Hockey Club by attending their friendship tournament on Saturday February 8th, 2020.

Donovan Sebrango and Reid Valade met with the Ice Hounds and other participating teams to take photos and sign autographs.

The Ice Hounds and Ice Pirates are two local hockey teams comprised of more than 100 children and adults who have developmental or physical challenges that prevent them from participating in traditional hockey programs.

The goal of both teams is to provide individuals with an opportunity to experience the great Canadian game in a setting where there are no age groups, no tryouts, and everyone has a role.

Players don’t need to know how to skate, hold a stick or handle a puck though many of them do this very well. All that is required is a heart and desire to do what many others take for granted; being part of a team, learning about teamwork and most of all having fun playing Canada’s game.

The teams travel all over southwestern Ontario to face other teams in many major cities. Friendships are made during these games and the experiences will last a lifetime.

For more information on the Cambridge Ice Hounds, please visit: Twitter and Facebook
For more information on the Kitchener Ice Pirates, please visit kitchenerminorhockey.com/Categories/1638/

Launched in August 2010, the Sun Life Financial Kids In Gear program assists with the collection and purchase of hockey equipment for youth who require financial support in the Kitchener-Waterloo community. The equipment collected is ultimately sold to a local sports store that provides credits to purchase new equipment for Kitchener Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) and the Donna’s Kids Program.  The program also provides financial support and assists with playing fees for families.

HOCKEY EQUIPMENT DONATION
Not sure what to do with that used hockey equipment? Drop it to The Aud in our Kid’s in Gear bin located in the main box office entrance under the stairwell. As well, equipment donations can be brought throughout the season to the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association during their regular business hours of operation. KMHA is located at 135 Lennox Lewis Way  Kitchener, ON N2C 2V1.

WARM-UP JERSEY AUCTION
Each season an online auction is held for the chance to own special edition warm-up jerseys worn by the Rangers prior to each home game.

The 2019/20 jersey auction is now closed. Please check back for information about the 2020/21 auction.

KIDS IN GEAR MASK DESIGN CONTEST & DAVID ARRIGO

THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! This season, Sun Life Financial and the Kitchener Rangers are again working with artist David Arrigo to bring the Kids in Gear program to life through the 5^th Annual Kids In Gear Mask Design contest for children 14 years old and under, with David painting the winning design. David is a renowned artist known for his artwork across the sports world including helmets, motor vehicles, murals, etc.). Click here to learn more.

KMHA AND DONNA’S KIDS
Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, as part of their mandate, provides financial support for children in this community who, without our assistance, would not be afforded the opportunity to participate in organized hockey in the City of Kitchener. Monies for this cause have been donated by various individuals and organizations over the years, however with increasing demands we have the need to provide further support for this program. One hundred percent of the funds raised are channeled directly to either purchase equipment for children or subsidize registration costs.

INFORMATION
Looking for support for your child? Contact:
Kitchener Minor Hockey Association’s Donna’s Kids program
www.donnaskids.ca

Looking to make a monetary donation? Contact us at 519-576-3700 or caubin@kitchenerrangers.com

Looking to make an equipment donation?
New or gently used hockey equipment donations may be dropped to the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association at 135 Lennox Lewis Way  Kitchener, ON N2C 2V1

25 years. 164,861 donated bears.

The 25th Annual Kitchener Rangers Teddy Bear Toss took place on Tuesday December 10th, 2019 when the Rangers played host to the London Knights. Fans were encouraged to bring a new or gently used teddy bear to the game and, immediately following the Rangers first goal, throw their bear onto the ice surface. Bears were collected and  turned over to local charitable organizations just in time for Christmas.

Again this season, the Kitchener Rangers partnered with Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program, a national charity dedicated to providing children from financially disadvantaged families with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and physical activity.

One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in organized sports or physical activities, meaning many kids are missing out on a chance to be competitive, learn fair play, and the spirit of companionship. Canadian Tire Jumpstart is dedicated to removing barriers so that children can participate in organized sports and physical activity by helping to cover the cost of registration, equipment and/or transportation for children who meet Jumpstart’s funding criteria.

To apply for assistance, call our toll free number at 1-877-616-6600 and based on your postal code a representative will provide a contact on the closest Jumpstart chapter. To find out more information about Jumpstart, please visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

Perhaps the most traditional game night program is the Tim Hortons Timbit Minor Hockey Intermission Game. For most game nights, two area teams participate in a six-minute game on the ice during the second period intermission. The participating teams are provided Tim Hortons jerseys for the evening to wear in their respective games.

This program is perhaps the most popular and successful intermission program that the Rangers present on each game night. This program is an excellent support vehicle for minor hockey associations and allows the participating children the thrill of playing on the ice that the Kitchener Rangers players and many other professional hockey players have played on!

This intermission game includes girls and boys teams primarily from ages 5-8. Teams from all over Southwestern Ontario including Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Elmira, Tavistock, New Hamburg, Listowel, Woodstock and other surrounding towns and villages have worn the red, white and blue of the Rangers/Tim Hortons mini games.

If your minor hockey team(s) would be between the ages of 5-8 and would like to participate this season, please contact Zach Foss at zfoss@kitchenerrangers.com or (519) 576-3700 ext. 238.