It was a match made in ice hockey heaven.

Peter DeBoer was looking for another challenge after guiding the Plymouth Whalers to two consecutive Ontario Hockey League finals.

And the Kitchener Rangers were on the hunt for a sharp young coaching mind who could help bring the Blueshirts back to their glory days.

So, both sides jumped at the chance to unite in the spring of 2001.

DeBoer was at the 12th tee at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club in Ann Arbor, Mich., in late May when agent Pat Morris called with news of a five-year deal to become general manager and coach of the Rangers.

Soon after, DeBoer met board members Steve Bienkowski, Mike Moher and Ted Scharf at a rest stop near London to dissect the details.

“We wanted to keep it low key on both ends,” recalled DeBoer. “I just re

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