Kitchener, Ont. – The Kitchener Rangers announced today that defenceman Andrew MacNiel, the Rangers’ fourth-round (70th 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 MacNiel’s commitment to Kitchener, the Rangers have now signed their top five picks from the most recent 2023 OHL Priority Selection: Cameron Reid (10th overall), Luca Romano (11th overall), Tanner Lam (second round), Matheas Stark (third round), and Andrew MacNiel (fourth round).
“We are excited to welcome Andrew and his family to our organization,” said Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie. “Andrew had a very strong development camp. His size, hockey sense, mobility and puck moving ability will give him a chance to be a very good defenseman as he matures. We are excited to add him to our already strong group of 2007-born prospects that will be the building blocks of the hockey club’s future.”
MacNiel, a native of Cobourg, Ont., captained the Peterborough Petes’ Under-16 AAA Hockey Club to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association’s (OMHA) playoff championship this past season, the organization’s first at the U16 level in 15 years.
“It’s a dream come true,” said MacNiel. “I imagined playing in the OHL my whole life, so to be able to get drafted and eventually sign with the Rangers means everything to me. I never would have believed this would happen so quickly but it’s an amazing feeling and I cannot wait to get started.”
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound, right-shot defenceman, recorded 10 points (6G, 4A) in 24 regular season games with the Petes, and added another six points in eight playoff games during the 2022-23 campaign. He also competed in the 2023 OHL Cup, scoring once in six games while advancing to the semi-finals at the renowned tournament. A season ago, MacNiel tallied at a point-a-game pace, earning 27 points (9G, 18A) in 27 games with the Petes.
“I got my first taste of Kitchener at Development Camp. It’s an amazing town, The Aud is special, the Rangers are a top-notch organization that does everything extremely professionally. It was an amazing feeling to experience what it’s like to be a Kitchener Ranger and I am looking forward to representing the city in the future.”
MacNiel is the fourth captain that has committed to Kitchener this off-season: Cameron Reid (C), Luca Romano (A), Matheas Stark (C) and Andrew MacNiel (C). He will wear number 43 for Kitchener.
For all the latest coverage on the Rangers during the off-season, stay tuned to KitchenerRangers.com.
