Kitchener Rangers close blockbuster deal with London
Posted Jan 7, 2026 10:52:43 AM.
Last Updated Jan 7, 2026 10:52:48 AM.
The Kitchener Rangers have made a blockbuster deal with their bitter rivals ahead of the OHL trade deadline on Friday.
The Rangers have acquired centreman Sam O’Reilly and defender Jared Woolley from the London Knights in exchange for defenceman Jacob Xu and 10 draft picks.
“Making trades like this never guarantees anything, but we wanted to put ourselves in the best position this year,” said Rangers GM Mike McKenzie in a press release. “We feel Sam and Jared were the two top players on the trade market this year. They both bring experience and a style of play that will help our group immensely.”
O’Reilly is coming off an impressive campaign with Team Canada at the World Juniors over the past month, and was named one of the three best Canadian players at the tournament. The 19-year-old is a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and has a point-per-game as captain for the Knights this season.
Wooley was drafted in the sixth round of the NHL draft by the LA Kings back in 2024. He’s a towering defender standing at 6’5″ and has 10 goals from the blueline this season. He and O’Reilly have lifted two OHL championships and a Memorial Cup during their time in London.
Rangers fans will get their first chance to see both players in blue, red, and white this Friday at The Aud against Oshawa.
