With sports still on hiatus I thought instead of struggling for some event to write about it would be easier to shift gears a little bit.
So I reached out to a few sports organizations, and for the next few weeks will bring you, the readers, some interviews with pro level athletes.
The first call went out to the Saskatchewan Rush who were good enough to hook me up with veteran forward Jeff Shattler.
Shattler was drafted 10th overall by the Buffalo Bandits in 2005. He played one game in 2006 for the Bandits before being traded to Calgary for the 2007 season. Shattler played 11 seasons with the Roughnecks, missing only one game.
Shattler had a breakout year in 2011, when he was named both NLL MVP and Transition Player of the Year.
In August 2017, he signed a two-year contract with the Saskatchewan Rush, a move that seemed to reignite his career as he was named playoff MVP for the 2018 National Lacrosse League Cup.
“Change is sometimes a very good thing,” he said, adding while he had many good friends in Calgary, he wasn’t getting the ball as much as he liked, so the opportunity to join the Rush came at a good time. “... It’s a pleasure to play with these guys.”
“I only have a couple of years left and I wanted to win some championships,” he said.
That goal was achieved in 2018.
As for being named MVP Shattler said, “it was a great, great night for myself and my team,” adding personally it was made sweeter having his wife watching from the stands.
As a player Shattler said he prides himself getting up for big games, playing his best when it matters most.
“Anybody can play regular season,” he said. “My dad always said I was a gamer,” something he tries to live up too. He said he is just “happy to do what it takes to take it to the next level when it’s playoffs.”
Shattler said he felt very good about the Rush’s chance this year to win another championship until COVID-19 shutdown the NLL.
“I really felt like we had another opportunity to win another one this year,” he said. “It was just unfortunate.”
Shattler said the Rush had not got off to the best start to the regular season, but it felt as if the team was coming into form to capture the title. While there remains a glimmer of hope they will still get a chance, he admitted, “I don’t see it happening.”
Away from the Rush Shattler has become deeply involved in taking the game of lacrosse to youth, primarily through school visits, across the province.
“Even if they (youngsters) don’t want to try it, they catch a ball in their stick, the look on their face,” said Shattler. “I believe that’s the way to grow the game ...
“I really, really enjoy doing it. I don’t find it a job.”
For Shattler playing lacrosse has always been something he has loved, and he finds joy in sharing that feeling with another generation of potential players.
In Saskatchewan lacrosse is still new to most youth, but Shattler said they pick up the game quickly, especially those who have played hockey as the two sports share a need for eye-hand coordination.
“I find hockey players pick it up so quick,” he said, adding he encourages youth to play varied sports. “Don’t stick with one sport or when you’re 16-17 you’ll hate it.”
Now the goal is to make the province a force in lacrosse.
“I want to make Saskatchewan an elite program,” said Shattler.
