Wolverines alum Mike Van Ryn named Kitchener Rangers head coach

By @MichaelCaples –

The OHL’s Kitchener Rangers announced staff changes today, and their new head coach is certainly familiar to Wolverines fans.

Mike Van Ryn, a Wolverines alum who spent two seasons in Ann Arbor (1997-99), was selected as the Rangers’ new head coach.

Ryn, a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 1998, recorded 41 points and 96 penalty minutes in 75 games with the Wolverines.

“In Mike Van Ryn we have an excellent communicator and an offensive minded approach to the game,” said Kitchener GM Murray Hiebert. “The players enjoy playing for Mike and have expressed confidence in his ability to coach. Mike likes to think outside the box and often comes up with very innovative ways for the players to practice the skills he is trying to teach.”

Van Ryn played a crucial role in the Wolverines’ 1998 national title. He went on to play nine seasons in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers.

He served as an assistant coach with the Rangers for the last two years.