Paul Ranger: Looking forward to opportunity with Maple Leafs

Paul Ranger figured he would have another chance at an NHL job.

“I never had any doubts. I never had any doubt in my mind,” said Ranger after the first day of training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  

Ranger last played an NHL game October 22, 2009. He played more than 17 minutes on the Tampa Bay Lightning blueline that night – a game his team won 5-2 over San Jose.

A couple of days later, he told the team he was going to take a leave of absence for personal reasons.

While he politely declined to get into specifics when he met the media on Wednesday, the 28 year-old insists he’s ready to resume his NHL career now.

After spending some time coaching minor hockey teams, he joined the Toronto Marlies last season where he picked up 25 points in 51 games.

His play impressed Leafs management, who signed him to a deal with the NHL team in July.

Now he has a chance to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs – a team he grew up watching and cheering for in nearby Whitby, Ontario.

“It means everything to me,” said an emotional Ranger. “This is huge for me and I know it. I’m really excited for it and I’m so emotional about it because it means so much to me.”

“We think Paul has the ability to play possibly in our top 4 (defensemen),” said GM Dave Nonis. “Last year at times he looked too good for the American Hockey League.”

Paul Ranger has the talent to play professional hockey. After all he spent parts of five seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning before walking away from the game. But as Ranger can attest, talent isn’t everything.

“Not even close,” he insists. “Everyone has the power to do whatever they want, and that’s something I’ve learned along the way. The metal side of the game is something that’s never really been talked about a lot. Self-esteem, just mental strength, courage. It’s not talked about a lot but it’s a skill.”

A skill the 6-foot-3, 210 pound Ranger has developed over the years.

And now he proudly sports his Maple Leafs jersey as he fulfills his media obligations on day one of training camp.

“It’s home,” Ranger said when asked why he agreed to a deal with the Leafs, when other NHL teams came calling. “Everyone I love is here. My family, friends. I have some of the best friends in the world, and an amazing family.”

“If I had an opportunity to play here, why would I pick anywhere else. This is where I want to be. I’m proud to be here. I’m so proud to be here.”