OFFICIAL ALUMNI NEWS OF THE SPRING 2014 EDITION

“I JUST GO OUT THERE AND TRY TO PLAY MY GAME.” - JOHN GIBSON John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks The Evolution of John Gibson

After all, in two seasons with the modesty that belied his talents. Rangers, fans watched as the Even through his highest highs, It was an early April night when standout American led the John echoed a similar refrain, the hockey world was introduced Hockey League in save claiming that he was just out to to John Gibson, who turned the percentage (both in the regular do his job. heads of many by recording a season, and the playoffs). When shutout in his National Hockey the team opened its 50th “I just go out there and try to League debut. Anniversary season in 2012-13, play my game: don’t try to do the youngster made it memora- too much, don’t get too high or Called up from the Norfolk ble, shutting out the Mississauga too low. I’m always relaxed, and Admirals (AHL) for the clash Steelheads on the road to set a that’s my personality. I don’t with the Vancouver Canucks, the winning tone for the landmark overanalyze things, I just like to 20 year old from Pittsburgh, PA year. Gibson was twice recognized have fun and it seems to work made 18 saves in his first career as the Rangers’ Most Valuable out for me.” start, moving his Anaheim Ducks Player in the postseason, earned one game closer to a Pacific league accolades, including CHL Saying it’s ‘working out’ is an Division title. And while many Goaltender of the Week and even obvious understatement. A fans in Kitchener missed the late- found himself on the front of a graduate of the US National night West Coast contest, few Shreddies box. Development Team, he also were surprised to see their former played at the Under-17 World netminder excel. But through all the success, the teenager showed a level-headed “IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT AND I REALLY THINK THAT’S WHY WE WON” - GIBSON

over Russia in the quarterfinals Los Angeles Kings, the Pittsburgh before backstopping Team USA kid shut the door, stopping all 28 Hockey Challenge and was the top to a bronze medal shootout win shots he faced and becoming the goaltender at the 2011 Under-18 over Finland. In recognition of his youngest goalie in history (20 World Championship, where the stellar season, USA Hockey named years, 330 days) to record a shut- Americans took home the gold. Gibson the winner of the Bob out in his playoff debut. And after Gibson was golden again in 2013, Johnson Award, given annually the game, he was as unflappable setting a USA Hockey record for to recognize excellence in as ever. best save percentage in a World international hockey competition Junior Championship and earning during a specific season of play. “It’s obviously exciting, but we MVP honours. Back in Kitchener haven’t won anything yet. I think with a medal around his neck, he To anyone paying attention, it was we’ll be excited if we win. That’s was as unflappable as ever. clear that the 6-foot-3, 210 pound the time to celebrate. Obvious- goaltender was destined for the ly you enjoy this for a bit, but “I don’t really think about it. I get spotlight, regardless of his you got to get back to work,” the a lot of credit, but in my eyes, a reticence to stand in it. A solid shaggy haired netminder told the lot of the credit belongs to the season in Norfolk kept him on gathered media, echoing the team. They made me look better Anaheim’s radar, and as the same mantra he had as a junior than maybe I really was. It was season come to a close, the in Kitchener. a team effort and I really think playoff-bound Ducks decided it that’s why we won – we were a was time to give the kid a shot. “I just play my game. You have family. We came together on Day to worry about one year at a time One and it was one of the closest “This was just like old hat to him,” – one day at a time really. If you teams I’ve ever been a part of.” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau can do that, then you’ll be told NHL.com after the game. successful. You can’t worry about After the curtain closed on an “If it was me at 20 years old... I what’s already happened in the exceptional junior career, Rangers would’ve been smiling from ear past, you can’t worry about what’s fans have watched their graduate to ear. He was just very relaxed. going to happen in the future.” write a new act with just as much That’s just the way he is.” success. Fresh out of the OHL, Calm and collected on the ice, The Ducks fell in Game 7 to the John was named to the American Gibson continues to demonstrate eventual Western Conference roster for the 2013 IIHF World the same quiet confidence that Champion, closing the door on Championship and soon moved Rangers fans grew accustomed to the 2013-14 season, but not on from the bench to the crease, during his time at The Aud. the career of a young American and finished second amongst goaltender who captured goaltenders with a 1.56 goals His stoic demeanour remained nationwide attention. The against average and .951 save unchanged, even as the Ducks consensus now is that Gibson percentage. He became the sec- called him up to his biggest stage has a long, bright future ahead ond-youngest netminder in world yet – the Stanley Cup playoffs. – something Kitchener fans have championship history to win a Pressed into service for Game 4 known for years. playoff game with an 8-3 victory of a second round series with the Rangers Recruit New Talent ADAM MASCHERIN - RANGERS’ 2014 FIRST ROUND PICK

cracking a modest smile. “If I end “I think what goes underrated up making the team.” is my work ethic, and that’s After a long regular season, the something that I would first and work continues for the OHL’s Moments after the selection was foremost like to bring to this team General Managers in the form of finalized, Hiebert explained that come training camp.” the annual Priority Selection. And Mascherin was a player to be after a rocky year at The Aud, excited about for a couple Mascherin wasn’t the only the Rangers found themselves of reasons. Rangers prospect getting the picking from the cream of the grand tour on Draft Day, as this crop of available talent when they “Not only was he a dominant year’s Priority Selection featured made their selection in the player in minor midget, he also a distinctly local feel. The three number two slot. played really, really well with the picks that followed all have roots Georgetown Raiders, one of our in the Waterloo and Wellington The choice proved an easy one affiliate teams, and his coach Regions, and made their way to for GM Murray Hiebert and his there couldn’t say enough good The Aud to celebrate the next step scouting staff. With the second things about him,” he shared, also in their young careers. overall pick in the draft, the noting the youngster’s impressive Rangers snapped up Adam Masch- 16 point contribution during the With their second and third erin, the stocky forward with a Kings’ playoffs. But there’s more selections, the Rangers welcomed scoring touch who to the Maple, ON native Connor Bunnaman and Sean averaged two points a game than offense. Allen, teammates with the Guelph playing minor midget for the Gryphons minor midget program, Vaughan Kings. Named the “We love the way he can put the and champions at the recent OHL 2013-14 Greater Toronto Hock- puck in the net and his size – he Gold Cup Under-16 tournament. ey League Player of the Year, the doesn’t get pushed around – but Joining them in the dressing room standout centre was at league his combine tests showed that not that afternoon was Cambridge headquarters when the only is he a real good player, he’s Hawks rearguard Connor Hall, and announcement was made, but also a lot faster than people give all three were beaming in their soon made the quick trip to The him credit for.” newly-pressed sweaters as the Aud with his family in tow. cameras rolled. Adam is looking to showcase that “It’s been amazing – to be able element of his game when the “It’s overwhelming. I’m just so to share this with them and to time comes to compete for a excited to be here, wearing this actually make the trip down to roster spot. With his stats, he jersey” said Bunnaman, a for- this amazing rink and I’m excited knows he’s been cast as a ward who averaged nearly a point to hopefully be playing here,” the -scorer, but he’s out to prove per game with the Gryphons last ruddy faced teen said, turning a he’s multi-dimensional. season. “It’s breathtaking – it’s an tour of the team’s facilities, before amazing room, amazing fans,

Adam Mascherin Rangers Recruit New Talent continued

pleased as the Priority Selection came to a close. amazing team! I’ve been to tons of Rangers games, love the crowd “I’m very happy – I think the and I just love being here.” scouts did a fantastic job, starting with getting Mascherin Rangers fans had their first look in that number one spot. He’s an at the new crop of talent selected elite goal scorer and then from in the 2014 draft (and a number here we got a lot of different of free agents) during the team’s players - some dynamic players, Spring Camp in April, and some big players – and I think we competition is expected to be filled a lot of roles and that’s go- fierce come training camp in ing to be valuable down the road. the fall. The future is looking bright for the team, and Head Coach Troy Smith was undeniably

blast from the past ROBINSON SIGNS WITH RANGERS

The Kitchener Rangers hockey Club will be hosting its 14th Annual Charity Golf Classic on August 26, 2014 at the beautiful Whistle Bear Golf Club.

Details to be released soon.

We’re looking for updated Alumni information. If you have a new address or email please send it to Treena Hennessey at [email protected] Larry Robinson with G.M. Walter ‘Punch’ Scherer, signs with the Rangers on August 7, 1970. or by phone at 519-576-3700.