Kitchener, Ont. – The Kitchener Rangers announced today that forward Matheas Stark (pronounced muh-tay-iss), the Rangers’ third-round (47th overall) draft pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, has committed to an Ontario Hockey League standard player agreement and education package with the club.
With Stark’s commitment to Kitchener, the Rangers have now signed their top four picks from the most recent 2023 OHL Priority Selection before the club’s Development Camp this weekend.
“It is a very exciting day to welcome Matheas and his family to the Rangers,” said Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “He is a very smart and well-rounded player. We feel Matheas will be an impact player and key member of our team moving forward. We look forward to seeing him develop on and off the ice in Kitchener.”
Stark, a native of Toronto, Ont., was heavily recruited with NCAA options before choosing to continue his hockey and academic development in Kitchener. Stark was recognized as a leader, being named the captain of the Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA Hockey Club in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) this past season where he racked up an impressive 40 points (16G, 24A) in just 30 games.
“It’s amazing. You dream about getting drafted, but then finally signing is something really special,” said Stark. “I’m really excited about being in Kitchener and I cannot wait to get started. It’s top-tier here, everything from the facilities to the organization as a whole is unbelievable, everything about it. What’s not to love here?”
The 6-foot-1, 160-pound left-shot forward represented the Marlboros in the 2023 OHL Cup and was a key member of Team Ontario who was crowned as the country’s Under-16 national champion at the bi-annual 2023 Canada Winter Games this past February in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Stark will wear number 28 for Kitchener and will be at the Rangers Development Camp this weekend, held this Friday through Sunday at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. For more information on the Rangers Development Camp, click here.
OHL Central Scouting says: “Matheas is a complete centre that is the leader on one of the top U16 teams in Ontario. He has the top end skill and skating ability to play an open game that is high paced and he is not afraid to mix it up physically if that is what is called for. He pays attention to detail in all three zones and plays a complete 200-foot game. His skill is right up there with the best of them in this age group; he is dangerous off the rush, has very good vision with the puck and possesses a great shot. He leads by example on the ice and is the type of player all coaches love to have on their bench as he can be used in every situation.”
