Saddledome return a bit of a Rush for former Riggers’ sniper Shattler
Ex-Roughnecks’ offensive star back in arena sporting Saskatchewan colours
When he shows up at the Scotiabank Saddledome with the rest of the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday night, someone might have to point Jeff Shattler in the right direction.
“The first time ever wearing a different jersey, so it’s been in the back of my mind since the season started, going back to the Saddledome and playing in front of my old fans,” said Shattler, who after 11 National Lacrosse League seasons with the Calgary Roughnecks signed as a free agent with the Rush during the off-season.
“It’s definitely going to be weird not going into my old dressing room. Going into the opposing dressing room ... I don’t think I’ve even seen it! It’ll be totally weird, but I think it’ll give that extra push to show what I still have in the tank. I have a lot to prove when I show up on Saturday night.”
It was like winning the lottery for the 33-year-old forward, in terms of joining what is perceived as the top team in the NLL. And they’ll be the Roughnecks’ opponent Saturday at the Dome (7 p.m.), putting their 4-1 record up against the 1-4 Riggers.
“I definitely considered re-signing with the Roughnecks,” Shattler, the league MVP in 2011, said. “They were up in the air, didn’t know what direction they were going in ... They were beating around the bush so I did something that would prolong my career. When I looked at all the pros and cons, it was tough leaving Calgary, but considering I got to go to the No. 1 team in the league, short flight, and they knew where they wanted me to play, it was a great decision on my part. All roads pointed toward Saskatchewan, and I’m really glad I made the decision.”
The Rush come into this weekend smarting after their first loss of the 2018 season, a 16-15 overtime decision to the Buffalo Bandits. Shattler, meanwhile, is doing his part on the high-powered offence, with seven goals and 19 points in five games.
“As a player, you always want to be better,” Shattler said. “I am putting up pretty decent numbers right now, and I have to think it’s the offence I’m playing with. They make my game better. The ball’s swinging around — very unselfish team I find — so everyone is putting up the points.”
The allegiance may have changed, but Riggers head coach Curt Malawsky has nothing but fond words about Shattler.
“We’re good friends off the floor,” Malawsky said. “We were great teammates when we played together, and we had a great relationship as player-coach. He poured his heart and soul into the organization. There wasn’t a night that he didn’t play as hard as he could for his teammates. I have nothing but respect for him and look forward to seeing him.”
Shattler knows exactly the group he’ll be up against, and at one point in the conversation, he forgot he wasn’t with them anymore.
“They’re a hard-nosed team, and they work hard,” Shattler noted. “Sometimes you don’t get the breaks. I know we didn’t get the breaks the last couple of years. But they’re playing some pretty good teams. Calgary is desperate for a win. They’re going to give everything they’ve got, and I know from the past, we always had huge games against Saskatchewan. They don’t want to be beaten at home, and honestly, I don’t want to lose in my barn ... ah, been there for so long, I don’t know ... I’m very excited to play against Calgary. I’ve been looking forward to this game.”
In an interesting sideline, the Riggers’ Dane Dobbie is two points shy of the franchise scoring record of 684 points, held by none other than Shattler, his good buddy. Between the two of them, they were a force to be reckoned with for 10 seasons. Shattler will probably be the first to congratulate him, should the record fall Saturday.
“I miss playing with the guy,” Shattler said of Dobbie. “He’s probably one of the best I’ve ever played with. We played a lot of years together, we had a lot of ups and downs, and I do miss him when I’m out on the floor. I always looked over (when we played together with the Roughnecks), and he was there, so that was tough, first couple of games (with the Rush). But it’s pro sports, right, so there’s bound to be change. But he’s definitely one of the guys I miss. He’s a heart-and-soul type of guy, like a brother to me.”