Kitchener, Ont. – Kitchener Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie announced today that head coach Chris Dennis has been relieved of his coaching duties.
Assistant coaches Dennis Wideman, Brandon Merli and Brennan Menard will remain on the coaching staff. McKenzie will assist with coaching duties on the bench for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
“This is a very difficult decision to make,” said McKenzie. “Chris is a good person and a good coach and we thank him for his dedication and service to the Rangers. This is a decision that we don’t take lightly but feel it is necessary at this point in the season to try and salvage what is left of the year and get our organization pointed back in the right direction on and off the ice.”
The Rangers are currently holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference standings with a 21-24-2-0 (.468) record in 47 games this season, are 13-11-0-0 on home-ice and 5-5-0-0 in last 10 games.
“I am not happy about having to make this decision but welcome the challenge of working with this group of players and helping them find their confidence and stride in what is left of this season,” added McKenzie.”
Dennis, 42, came to the Rangers in June with 10 years of NHL experience and 13 years of professional hockey experience, serving the Toronto Maple Leafs in different capacities as both an assistant coach and video coach, spanning the tenures of Hall of Famer Pat Quinn, Paul Maurice, Ron Wilson and Randy Carlyle. He spent three years in the Vegas Golden Knights organization as an assistant coach with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL).
The Rangers will host the Hamilton Bulldogs tonight at The Aud. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here.
For more information, visit kitchenerrangers.com.
