Ridgebacks welcome back former assistant coach

The Ontario Tech men’s hockey program has announced a returning presence to its coaching staff.

Paul Ranger will be behind the bench again this season as an assistant coach.

“I am very excited about returning to the Ridgebacks,” said Ranger. “Being part of a team and building something special is something I’ve always been involved in during my life – and I missed that this past season as I was building my business. I am looking forward to a great year helping develop a great team here at Ontario Tech.”

Originally joining the Ridgebacks as an assistant coach in 2016, the former NHLer took a one-year hiatus during the 2018-19 season, when he launched Ranger Defensemen.

“This past year I spent much of my time with family as well as building my business, Ranger Defensemen, where I train elite hockey players and mentor a few draft-eligible players,” Ranger said. “I felt that I had a lot of hockey knowledge to pass on to players and therefore developed a system to deliver it to them even at a younger age.”

The former pro brings more than 450 games experience from his time in the NHL, American Hockey League, and National League A.

Combined with his now three years of coaching experience, university athletic officials are excited about bringing Ranger back to the program.

“It is great to be able to welcome Paul back to our Ridgebacks family after a year away,” said head coach Curtis Hodgins. “He was such a valuable part of our coaching staff during his two previous seasons with us and he will be an outstanding mentor and coach for our defence group. I look forward to working closely with Paul and our entire coaching staff as we continue to build our program here at Ontario Tech.”

The Ridgebacks are set to hit the ice at home for their first preseason game on Thursday, Sept. 12, against the Ryerson Rams.

The first regular season game is on Friday, Oct. 4, when they host the Nipissing Lakers.