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The Kitchener Rangers announced updates to their roster regarding five of their players for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Press Release: Rangers Announce Roster Updates

📰 https://t.co/5k6nm2X787 #RTown | #BattleBuilt pic.twitter.com/CKroAprGyO
— Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) July 18, 2025

Forwards Jack Pridham and Christian Humphreys and defenseman Jakub Chromiak will return to the red, blue, and white lineup next season. Pridham and Chromiak return as overage players. In an adjacent move, the club has released overage forwards Cameron Mercer and Chris Grisolia.

Pridham, 19, and Humphreys, 19, are set to attend the training camps for their respective NHL teams this fall. Pridham will join the Chicago Blackhawks, while Humphreys will be with the Colorado Avalanche. It would be surprising if either player made the opening lineup, but Pridham has the best chance, as the Blackhawks have a young and rebuilding roster.

Kitchener was able to recruit Pridham over from West Kelowna of the BCHL in November during the 2024-25 season. The son of Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant GM, Brandon Pridham, decommitted from Boston University at the beginning of July.

Chicago Blackhawks Prospect & Boston University Commit Headed For KitchenerThe OHL's first-place Kitchener Rangers are about to get even stronger up front at forward

However, after coming over and becoming a top-six impactful forward for the Rangers — he scored 54 points (27 goals, 27 assists) in 48 regular season games and 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) in 16 playoff games — his decision to return will allow him to continue playing top-line minutes.

Humphreys signed with Kitchener in early January last season after playing ten games in the NCAA for the University of Michigan, recording just one assist. The Avalanche's seventh-round draft pick in 2024 chose to decommit from his NCAA scholarship to gain more opportunities for meaningful playing minutes and enhance his development.

For Kitchener last season, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 28 regular season games. In the playoffs, he put up 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 13 games.

Right-shot defender Chromiak was acquired by the club from the Kingston Frontenacs back in October at the start of the season. The Ilava, Slovakia native recorded 32 points (4 goals, 28 assists) in 54 regular season games and 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) in 16 playoff games for Kitchener during the 2024-25 season.

Kingston Frontenacs Sign NCAA-Bound Goaltender & Talented American ForwardIn the past week, the Kingston Frontenacs made several signings, including a potential starting goaltender and a promising 2009-born American forward drafted in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection.

Chromiak will occupy both an overage and import player spot for the Rangers for the 2025-26 season. Kitchener has one overage spot, leaving the door open for captain Matthew Andonovski to return if he doesn’t play in the AHL or ECHL.

“All three of these guys were such a big part of our team last year, and the possibility of all three returning is a huge boost to our team for this upcoming season. All three players had options to play in other leagues, but we are thrilled they have chosen to stay in Kitchener for another season and be key veteran members of our team,” said Kitchener Rangers GM Mike McKenzie.

Cameron Mercer, 20, leaves the organization after playing four seasons with them, recording 61 points (21 goals, 40 assists) in 243 games. He was drafted in the third round (51st overall) in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and has developed into a reliable bottom-six center at the OHL level.

“We would like to thank Cam for the last four years and his dedication to our program. He was such a popular player around the room and someone that was a pleasure to be around and coach. We will miss Cam but wish him the best of luck in his next chapter,” said McKenzie.

The Barrie, Ontario native would be a prime candidate to sign with his hometown Barrie Colts. The Colts swapped overage players with the Niagara IceDogs, sending defenseman Grayson Tiller to his hometown, and acquired forward Alexander Assadourian in return. And overage forward Michael Derbidge is expected to return to the Caledonia Corvairs of the GOJHL. If Brad Gardiner, a former Dallas Stars prospect, returns, this leaves Barrie with one open overage spot.

IceDogs And Colts Swap Overage Players In Offseason TradeEarlier today, IceDogs' GM Frank Evola completed his first trade by sending Alex Assadourian and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Barrie Colts in exchange for overage defender Grayson Tiller.

Former Barrie Colts forward Chris Grisolia leaves the Rangers organization after just one season with the club, recording 19 points (10 goals, 9 assists) in 55 games. The Vaughan, Ontario native brings a veteran presence of 232 OHL games. He is a former second-round draft pick (24th overall) by Barrie in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.

“Chris was only here for one season, but left a positive mark on our organization with his work ethic and popularity in the dressing room. We wish Chris the best in the next stop on his hockey journey,” said McKenzie.

(Top photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images)

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