The Kitchener Rangers had some shocking news yesterday as former Maple Leafs defense man Mike Van Ryn stepped down from his role as head coach, according to The Record.

Van Ryn was working in Kitchener, Ontario while his family remained behind in their Florida home. Van Ryn was with the Rangers organization for three seasons, spending the first two as assistant to Troy Smith.

"It was tough to come to terms with this decision, but it was the right one for my family," said Van Ryn in a news release.

"I enjoyed my time in Kitchener immensely. The organization, the staff, the fans; everything there was nothing short of first class."

General Manager Murray Hiebert only had good things to say about Van Ryn:

"I got along with him and respect him completely," said Hiebert. "I think he did a great job for us. He put his heart and soul into it."

Hiebert spent Monday informing the players of the news.

"They loved playing for him," he said. "We assured them that the development model is still in place and that things aren't going to change around here."

The search for a new coach is underway, this will be the Rangers third coach since 2013.