From the smooth skating Hockey Hall of Famer Paul Coffey, to the two-way presence of Bernie Nicholls, and to the Detroit Red Wing, Stephen Weiss, the North York Rangers junior hockey club has a rich and deep tradition of icing, and developing, premier hockey talent.
Rangers hockey began back in 1967 when the Metro Junior “B” Woodbridge Rangers moved to North York. In 1972, the boys in blue made the move upwards to the Tier II Junior ‘A’ level, winning the league in 1977, 1980, and 1983, and leaving a winning tradition that lasts to this day. In 1984 the team changed its name to the Red Wings, but folded only a year later.
In 1992 the Metro Junior “A” Richmond Hill Rams migrated to North York, and the Rangers were reborn. That team was led by big Greg Koehler who went on to a successful NCAA career with the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and then a professional career in North America and Italy. Other names to come out of that MetJHL team included former Edmonton Oiler and Columbus Blue Jacket Peter Sarno, and former Los Angeles King and Atlanta Thrasher Scott Barney,
By the 1998-1999 season, the Metro League had folded and the OPJHL reabsorbed the Rangers. It is that incarnation that remains vibrant and competitive today.
Players like Edmonton Oiler defenceman Theo Peckham suited up for those Rangers, and their success, and the success of all those that came before and since, is remembered fondly by, and motivates, everyone in the organization today.
We truly believe that the future is bright, and that with the group of players assembled, we are a very serious contender in the OJHL. We know that we have a winning tradition, and it is on the players, the coaching staff, and the organization as a whole, to bring success and glory to the name of the North York Rangers hockey club.
