One of the toughest parts about being a pro lacrosse player is the term “weekend warrior.” Very few and the lucky can turn lacrosse into a full time gig but most have to supplement income and work full time jobs while answering the bell every weekend to play the game they love.
Unlike most players, Calgary Roughnecks forward Scott Ranger also had a tougher task about it playing his entire career with diabetes, showing really anything is manageable if you do it right.
But now for Ranger that game has ended.
Ranger announced last week that after a 10 year distinguished career, he is hanging up the pads and calling it a NLL career.
Due to work commitments last year, he had an abbreviated season, only playing in nine total games and having another new born boy recently the decision was a simple one to step away from the game he loved to worry more on his family life and work life outside lacrosse and move on.
Ranger cracked the league in ’04 playing for the now defunct San Jose Stealth but only playing nine games over the first two seasons in the league he didn’t really make a name for himself. Then the team folded and the Calgary Roughnecks acquired him and his favourite saying, “Shoot ’til you’re hot.”
The first season with the Roughnecks Scott tallied 43 points (23 G,19 A) playing in every game with the team and finally showing the league what the WLA already knew; the guy is oozing skill and smarts. He continued his scoring touch the next six seasons scoring over 50 points in all of those seasons and becoming an all around player any coach would have loved to have in his roster. He also helped the Roughnecks win their second championship in team history in ’09 playing a role scoring 13 points in only three playoff games.
Not only was he a model of consistency, he was also a huge team player. He held the “C” for the perennial power house Victoria Shamrocks, his summer team in the WLA for a big reason. He is there to support the team and has always had a team first attitude playing for the crest on the front of his jersey, never for the name on the back.
Always a fan favourite in Calgary, Ranger made contributions on and off the lacrosse floor all around the city promoting the team and sport at various functions around town as much as his schedule would allow—another problem with the sport being so small is he is one of many players who flies in every weekend to do what he loves for three days, then return to his normal life.
Not only was Ranger a threat in the regular season, he amassed a total of 53 points in 17 playoffs games played and was a big reason the Roughnecks got hot at the end of last year and came one goal away from the final goal of raising the Champion’s Cup.
Scott was what the game looks for. A smart, gritty player who was always willing to help the little guy and show the rookies the ropes and also always led by example. Playing his entire career battling diabetes also shows his resilience extending his career after his San Jose days and becoming a household name with respect from players and fans alike.
