Kitchener Rangers deal veteran defenceman to Niagara
Posted Jan 7, 2026 06:43:10 AM.
Last Updated Jan 7, 2026 11:16:19 AM.
As the Kitchener Rangers prepare to welcome back their former captain, they’re bidding farewell to a rock-solid defenceman.
The Rangers have dealt 20-year-old defenceman Jakub Chromiak to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for a second-round pick in 2027 and a third-round pick in 2028.
The team was forced to deal one of their overage players after announcing the return of 20-year-old defenceman Matthew Andonovski. The former captain returns to the team after starting the year in Belleville playing for the Ottawa Senators’ AHL affiliate.
“This is an extremely tough decision and one of the hardest I have ever had to make as General Manager of the Rangers,” said Rangers General Manager Mike McKenzie in a press release. “Jakub is one of the best kids we have ever had here and the ultimate professional and team guy. We will miss him immensely and wish him the best of luck in Niagara.”
Chromiak played 92 regular-season games and 16 playoff games for the Rangers and had racked up a career-best 23 points through the first half of this season. The Ice Dogs will be his fourth OHL franchise after being drafted to the Sudbury Wolves and subsequently traded to Kingston before landing in Kitchener at the beginning of last season.
The Ilava, Slovakia native joins an IceDogs team looking to add experience to a mostly-youthful lineup as Niagara aims to rebuild for the future. The team currently sits 6th in the Eastern Conference.
The OHL trade deadline is fast-approaching, as all deals must be completed by noon on Friday.
