Filip Mesar loaned to the Kitchener Rangers

Filip Mesar loaned to the Kitchener Rangers

Written by Fred Arshoff

Edited by Judy Pitcher

Before going into this article, once again I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for excellent editing of this article and all the others she has edited for me. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.

On Saturday morning October 21, 2023 the HABS and Laval Rocket announced that they have loaned Filip Mesar to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL(Ontario Hockey League).

Right off the top I will say I’m in agreement with this move, it can only help Mesar’s long term development to become an excellent NHL player. Kent Hughes is continuing to show us he is a man of his word, as he has said development is the key.Sending Mesar to the Kitchener Rangers is doing just that. Now, let’s remember Mesar is only 19 years old, most of the players in the AHL are in their 20’s. Thus, the players are bigger and stronger than Mesar for the most part and he may still be growing.

This season the Kitchener Rangers lead the OHL in offense and they now have new coaching staff. The Kitchener Rangers added Jussi Ahokas as head coach in July, he joins Jeff Kyrzakos and Brad Flynn behind the bench.

Let’s learn more abut Filip Mesar, he was born on January 3, 2004 in Kezmarok, Slovakia making him 19 years of age. Mesar is 5’10″(178 cm) and weighs 168lbs(76kg). He plays right wing and shoots right. Mesar was drafted by Kent Hughes in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was the 26th pick overall.

I’m sure Nick Bobrov, who is the co-director of amateur scouting is largely responsible for the HABS drafting Mesar. Bobrov is based in Europe Europe and previously worked with HABS Executive Vice President of hockey operations Jeff Gorton when they worked for the New York Rangers.

Mesar is a childhood friend of HABS #1 draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky and they played together in Slovakia.

Photo above sent to me by Judy Pitcher. Filip Mesar, Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec when they played together in Slavakia. All three players were drafted in the 1st round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft

In the Rocket’s first 4 games. Mesar has played in only 3 games this season, he got a goal one goal in his last game with the Rocket on October 20, 2023. He has played on the 4th line and been given minimum ice-time. In the 2022-23 season Mesar played in 52 games with the Kitchener Rangers scoring 17 goals, 34 assists for 51 points.

Mesar did play one game with the Rocket last season, but had no points.

I feel Mesar playing another full season with the Kitchener Rangers will only benefit him. I can see him playing with the Laval Rocket for a full 2024-25 season and he will then be 20 years old.

SOURCES

Filip Mesar Draft

https://thehockeywriters.con/canadiens-filip-mesar-26th-overall-2022-draft/

Filip Mesar Stats

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=235716

Kitchener Rangers Coaching Staff