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This week, I had the opportunity to catch up with Kitchener Rangers General Manager Murray Hiebert via email.

Hiebert took over the GM job in Kitchener after a lengthy career around the junior hockey circuit as a scout. Hibert spent time with the London Knights, Sudbury Wolves, St. Michael’s Majors, and Plymouth Whalers before joining the Rangers in 2001. Hiebert eventually took over as the Rangers’ Director of Scouting, overseeing the team’s picks in the OHL Priority Draft.

Hiebert weighed in on some of his Rangers that are draft-eligible this June, the Rangers’ top pick in the OHL Priority Selection, analytics in the OHL and more.

Sean Tierney: Prior to taking over as GM in 2013, you spent more than a decade as a scout with the Kitchener Rangers organization. How has your skill as a scout served you in your role as a GM so far?

Murray Hiebert: I started scouting in 1990 first at the Jr. B level and then in the OHL since 1993. Prior to that I was heavily involved in coaching and referring (sic.). All of these hockey jobs help in player identification but they don’t really help you with the administration details that being a general manager involves. I probably rely more on my teaching background for those skills. What being a scout in the organization afforded me was making contacts and learning the hockey business working with Steve Spott on a daily basis since 2009. Making trades, developing relationships with agents and attempting to understand the way the league functions.

Gustaf Franzen (#151) and David Miller (#158) included in @NHLCentralScout Midterm Rankings > http://t.co/2FRqWFm4g5 pic.twitter.com/e2qeEgbn76 — Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) January 20, 2015

ST: With the NHL draft approaching, Gustaf Franzen, Mike Davies, and David Miller are all projected to be selected in the second half of the draft. Which of these players is the closest to being ready for the pro game at the AHL level and beyond?

MH: They are all so different with Gustaf Franzen you have elite hockey sense and playmaking ability. Mike Davies is gritty and possess (sic.) a pro shot. While David Miller is fast and very creative with the puck. All need to work on different parts of their game and getting drafted would only be step 1. All three really need next season to make the necessary improvements in their game to play at the next level. I think next season will be a very important in year in their development and determining their future pro potential.

Tons of #RangersDraft content up at #RangersVision! Find out more about our drafted players! > http://t.co/BQRtTS0DYK pic.twitter.com/6ynHAxWmJp — Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) April 13, 2015

ST: The Rangers selected Greg Meireles with the 12th pick in the OHL draft. What type of player is Meireles and how do you see him fitting in with the Rangers’ roster?

MH: Greg like all rookies coming into our league they will have a learning curve. The one thing that Greg has that will allow him to play next season is his skating. Combine Greg’s speed with his determination and skill and most coaches find ways to incorporate players like that in their line-up.

ST: NHL general managers are increasingly surrounded by analytics that measure puck possession, shot quality, and more. What role do advanced stats play for you and your staff?

MH: We have used analytics in a big way this past season as a coaching tool and found it beneficial. We are just starting to develop ways of incorporating the analytics into our scouting. I find the whole buzz around analytics very interesting and wonder sometimes where it is all taking the game of hockey. I definitely think it is here to stay but exactly what form it will be in 5 years from now will very interesting.

ST: With Troy Smith moving along, what qualities are you looking for in your next head coach? You’ve mentioned a need for a new voice in the room – does that rule out a promotion from within the organization?

MH: Nothing has been determined as to what direction we will be going in for our new coach. I have stated from the beginning that we are in no rush. Finding the right fit is the only criteria.

ST: Auston Matthews has created a stir with reports swirling that he may play in Switzerland next year rather than play for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL. In your opinion, what advantages does the CHL offer for a player like Matthews?

*Hiebert declined to comment on Matthews specifically. Instead, he noted that he, like most North American hockey fans, don’t know anything about the variables at play behind the scenes. Hiebert did offer the following:

MH: My only comment in general is history has shown the CHL to be the best development league in the world so it is a great option for a young hockey player.

#ICYMI GM Murray Hiebert announced today that Elijah Roberts has committed to the Rangers. http://t.co/J7t4TFJ0fZ pic.twitter.com/fDcm6TExBd — Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers) May 14, 2015

In an interview with Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record, Hiebert added that the new coach for the Rangers is:

Just a person that is going to develop…We need someone that can relate to players and get the most out of them.

Brown added that the coaching candidates could include the recently-released Sarnia Sting coach Trevor Letowski, current Rangers assistant Mike Van Ryn, and long-shots like former Rangers’ bench bosses Steve Spott or Peter DeBoer (who is part owner of the Oshawa Generals – so, definitely a long shot).

With a well-established track record as a talent evaluator, Hiebert is certain to identify the kind of development-focused coach needed to foster the growth of next year’s Rangers squad.

What do you think, OHL fans? Which Rangers prospect has the greatest NHL potential? Who is GM Murray Hiebert likely to tab as the next head coach in Kitchener?