The Kitchener Rangers gave Richmond Hill, Ontario native Jacob Xu an early Christmas present. The organization announced that it has signed the 6-foot-2 left-shot defenseman to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.
Jacob waited until the eighth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection to hear his name be called. However, he was lauded as one of the GTHL’s best defensemen in the U16 age group. Scouts raved about his raw athleticism and mobility on the backend, along with his reliable two-way playstyle.
As it is for most players who have commitments to an NCAA school, they slip in the draft and don’t get picked until much later because OHL organizations know they won’t report to their franchise.
The NCAA rule change has changed the entire landscape, and the Rangers are the latest beneficiaries of it.
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Xu has been playing in the OJHL, starting the season with the Trenton Golden Hawks. The King Rebellion acquired him in mid-November. In his first year of Jr. A hockey, he has scored four times and recorded 14 points in 34 games.
In his OHL draft year, he played on the Toronto Jr. Canadiens with Erie Otters defenseman Lucas Ambrosio and Saginaw Spirit first-rounder Dimian Zhilkin.
“We are excited to sign Jacob and welcome him to the Rangers. Jacob has high-end ability and the potential to be a top defenseman in the league as he develops,” said Kitchener Rangers GM, Mike McKenzie.
According to Waterloo Region Record reporter Josh Brown, McKenzie will stay in the OJHL for now, and the organization will call on him for emergency purposes if needed.
The Rangers prospect can continue to develop his game with the King Rebellion, and aim to make the full-time switch to the OHL for the 2025-26 season in his NHL draft year.
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