Kitchener Rangers name Dennis Wideman new assistant coach

Former Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman is joining the Kitchener Rangers as an assistant coach. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

Former NHL defenceman Dennis Wideman is joining the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers for the remainder of the season, the team has announced.

Wideman was an NHL free agent and had spent the last five seasons with the Calgary Flames. Over his 12 NHL seasons he also skated with the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals.

He finishes his career with 100 goals and 419 points in 870 games.

“Dennis will bring a wealth of knowledge from his NHL career that can help our players develop, especially our young defencemen,” Rangers general manager Mike McKenzie said in a press release. “As an OHL player he was once in the same spot as many of our players are now, so he understands what it takes to get to that next level they all strive to reach.”

Wideman played five seasons in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves and London Knights from 1999-2004. He was drafted in the eighth round, 241st overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2002.

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