![]() “I took a hiatus from the game for a couple of years to reset the mind and body. “It’s given me so much, I want to give back,” he said. Several years after retirement, Ranger still makes a point to grow the game. Having those incredible experiences throughout his career has inspired Ranger to continue being involved in lacrosse today. Knowing what those guys are going through together in that locker-room makes you really miss the sport and the guys you played with.” I wasn’t even a part of it but I got the goosebumps watching it. “Watching Rhys Duch score the game-winner, I completely re-lived the ’09 cup and the way the building erupted. “Watching the Roughnecks win the cup in 2019 – that was an amazing feeling,” Ranger said. In some instances, it’s like he’s right back there again. It was such a good group of guys and when you go through an experience like that I don’t think you ever lose that feeling.” I really enjoy catching up with guys and reminiscing – I still talk to Daryl Veltman, Peter McFetridge and Mouse (Curt Malawsky). “Definitely the Cup is a favourite, but there are so many funny stories and memories. We took on each other as a family when we were there, flying back-and-forth. “That team was just such a good group of guys, we called ourselves a family and we really were. “The obvious one is winning the Cup in 2009,” he said. ![]() All of that on top of 54 playoff points, including a goal and a helper in the 2009 Champion’s Cup victory – just a few things his students might have dug up during the project.īut what you can’t find online is Ranger’s most fond memories of his time in Calgary. Ranger played with the Roughnecks from 2007-2014, notching 173 regular-season goals and 235 assists over his tenure in Calgary. So I do a bit of a research challenge with them.” I mention a Wikipedia page of mine that has some false information on it. ![]() I actually do a little project every year, just about training kids to research facts. “I’ve got my Roughnecks jersey in the corner of my room, so they’re well aware of my athletic background,” he said. “When you teach somebody a skill – it doesn’t matter if it’s a sports skill or academic skill – and you see them finally kind of get it, it feels great for the student or athlete, and it feels great for the coach and teacher as well.”Īnd if you’re wondering: yes, Ranger’s students are privy to his success in professional lacrosse. ![]() Once I started seeing those “Ah-Ha!’ moments for kids I was like yeah, this is definitely my career path. I was a hockey and lacrosse player growing up and I just started giving back to kids in sport as much as I could. “I started coaching kids when I was fifteen or sixteen years old through the parks and recreation department. “This is year seven or eight teaching for me now. “The year I retired from the team was my first year teaching full-time,” he explained. Ranger, a silk-mitted offensive powerhouse from the Riggers of the past, is now an elementary school teacher. He can recall the Roughnecks’ second NLL Championship just like it was yesterday, all while on a quick break between his fifth-grade classes. You know you have thousands fans behind you and screaming for you. “When they call your name and you run out of the oil derrick, you’re just so jacked up and ready to play. “I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about it right now,” said Ranger, sitting in his office in Nanaimo, B.C., in the here and now, reminiscing about an incredible night. The announcer booms – “Number 71, Scott Ranger!!” The announcer makes his way through a list of what would soon be names engraved on a trophy. The lights are dimmed, the crowd’s anticipation palpable and the hum of Metallica’s Enter Sandman radiates through the building. The stage is set for the final game of the NLL playoffs at the Scotiabank Saddledome: the Roughnecks versus the New York Titans for the Champions Cup.
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