Eight Rangers named to Eastern Canada Cup Challenge

GEORGETOWN, ON - MAR 23, 2018: Ontario Junior Hockey League, post-season second round. Game five of the best of seven series between the Georgetown Raiders and North York Rangers, Joey Maziarz #23 of the North York Rangers skates with the puck during the third period. (Photo by Ryan McCullough / OJHL Images)
November 7, 2018

11:50 PM EST

Eight different North York Rangers were named to the 2018 Eastern Canada Cup, which tied for the most by an Ontario Junior Hockey League team.

For the second straight year, defencemen Joey Maziarz, Harrison Rees and goaltender Jett Alexander will participate in the tournament at Trenton, Ont in two weeks. They will be accompany by new comers Tyler Flack, Ross Krieger, Donate Fantauzzi and Ashton Stockie and Cole O’Hara.

Over half of the Rangers team will represent OJHL Oates in Alexander, Maziarz and forwards Krieger, O’Hara and Stockie.

Alexander is coming off an impressive month that earned him the KEWL OJHL goaltender of the month. He currently leads the OJHL with 18 wins, a 1.34 goals against average, .953 save percentage and seven shutouts. Last year he represented OJHL Coffey.

Maziarz continues to develop his game in his third season with the Rangers. Two years ago he was named to the OJHL’s 2nd All-Prospect team. The 19-year-old currently leads all OJHL defencemen with 21 points, only three off his career-high. The Waterloo, Ont., native played for OJHL Hawerchuk last year and will head to Mercyhurst University next fall.

In his third season with the Rangers, assistant captain Ross Krieger is off a great start. He currently co-leads the team with 12 goals and 24 points, well on his way to breaking his career-highs. O’Hara continues to turn heads as a 16-year-old rookie. The Richmond HIll, Ont., native has a team-high 18 assists for 21 points in just 22 games. Stockie has only played in 13 games so this season, but made an impact with 16 points. A perfect example is in his first two games back from injury, the 19-year-old registered five points.

Rees, an former 11th round draft pick by the Erie Otters, will dress for OJHL Hawerchuk. The second-year defenceman continues to build on last year’s impressive rookie season in the OJHL. Rees was known for his defensive abilities when he first stepped onto Junior A ice, but he’s taken a step forward offensively already setting career-highs in assists (15) and points (17) in 27 fewer contests. The 18-year-old will attend the University of Connecticut next season, an NCAA Division I school..

Flack, one of the most improved players in Junior A hockey early this season suits up for the OJHL Nieuwendyk. The 19-year-old developed tremendously from being a depth player in his last campaign. He co-leads North York with 12 goals and sits second with 21 points in only 22 contests. The Mississauga, Ont., truly improved on last season’s seven points in 27 games.

Fantanuzzi will skate for OJHL Coffey. The former 2016 Oshawa Generals pick has been one of the most consistent defenceman for the Rangers. The second-year player 10 points this season is already tied from last year’s total in 26 fewer games.

The eighth annual All-Star Showcase event is being hosted for the third time by the OJHL and will take place from November 19-21 at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens home of the Trenton Golden Hawks of the OJHL.