Roughneck great Dane Dobbie to be honoured before Friday night’s game against Vancouver

Friday night's Calgary Roughnecks game is going to make for a memorable event for Dane Dobbie, now the team’s lacrosse operations adviser.

Dane Dobbie is now the lacrosse operations advisor for the Calgary Roughnecks. During his time on the floor as a player, Dobbie did it all for the Roughnecks.

Dobbie played 13 seasons for the Riggers, tallying 8890 points in 182 games. On Friday night, Dobbie’s name will go into he rafters as Forever a Roughneck. He admits it could be emotional.

“One-hundred per cent,” said he 39-year-old who retired after last season.

“I’ll try to keep it in tact but it will be an emotional night.”

Going into the rafters with his buddies

Dobbie becomes the third Roughneck to receive this honor. He joins Kaleb Toth and Tracey Kelusky in the rafters.

Dobie says that is a huge honor.

“You know I came into the league with both of those guys and Tracey was right beside me in the locker room,” he said.

“H e was one of the best captains I ever had, he led by example and the city loved him, same with Niner (Toth).

“You know Niner was a clutch guy and you know playing offence with those guys and getting to know those guys is pretty special. Actually seeing their banners go up when I was here was awesome and I can’t wait to be beside them.”

Well-deserved

Roughnecks head coach Josh Sanderson coached and played with Dobbie. He says he was a special player.

“Dynamic offensively and had some of the best hands in the league if not ever,” said Sanderson.

“Very passionate so he’s very good at bringing his team up and getting the crowd in it after he scores. I loved playing with Dane and I loved coaching him. He’s a good friend so I’m really happy to be a part of this,” he added.

Vancouver head coach and G.M. Curt Malawsky also played with and coached Dobbie with Calgary. He says it’s going to be a great night.

“Super emotional,” said Malawsky.

“What a great teammate and what a great player. They broke the mold when they brought Dan in. (He was) a big time player in big time games and an even better teammate. It’s going to be super emotional.”

Special times

Dobbie has had a lot of great memories with the Roughnecks but said two stand out above the rest.

“The two championships in 2009 and 2019,” he said.

“Those are the ones that stick out and especially winning in this arena with a lot of close friends.

“Being a part of that and being a part of this with the city,” he added. “They’ll stand out and will always be with me.”

Ball drop for Friday night’s game between the Roughnecks and Warriors is at 7:30 p.m.