You’ve heard him whine. You’ve heard him complain. You’ve heard him talk about Michigan State when no one else in the room even cared. You’ve also seen him hit the goalie in the chest pad a million times and miss on breakaways. And you most certainly haven’t seen him use a backhand shot.
But you’ve also seen him lead the Squirrels to a winning record for every season he’s been on the roster, three of which were championships.
Ed Bager, who is leaving the Squirrels for the hockey-crazy and tobacky-chewin’ state of North Carolina, has played for the Devils/Squirrels since 2002. In 2001, as a member of the Dragons, Bager frequently participated in blowouts against the team when it was known as Recreational Hazzard. In 2002, that team he helped beat, then known as the Devils, recruited Bager as he regularly showed up at Sunday pickup. Since then, not only did he lead the team to winning records and championships, he also recruited players such as Kit Watson and Matt Borlik.
During six seasons in a Squirrels’ jersey (not counting the Devils), Bager compiled 56 goals and 72 assists. He led the roller team in scoring in 2004, and currently leads the ice team with 25 points. He registered a goal and two assists in his final game against Scurvy, a 6-3 victory. After the game, the team piled on.
The team will miss his bottomless pit of energy, scoring touch, the Miller Lite he always brings, his Bethesda house parties, and quite a few other things. No. 14, you will be missed.