Ranger Quits, Leaves Huge Hole in Roster.

Sunrise, Florida -- Just days before the start of the season, the Florida Panthers have lost a key component to their defense. Paul Ranger has quit hockey and left the Panthers organization.

Ranger, 27 from Whitby Ontario, has left the league for personal reasons. No other information is known at this time. Rumors floating around Florida were he was upset with the latest contract talks between he and the Panthers. "We don't believe that to be the case," said GM IronMike. "We really can't say for certain why he quit but contract talks were just at the early stages."

Rangers' career had taken off in the past few seasons and was counted on as a 1 or 1a defenseman for the Panthers this season. "I'm not sure how many people realize how good Ranger was ... " said a clearly shaken GM. "He scored 55 points last season, top eight with all defenseman. And he was a plus 14. A Terrific talent at both ends of the rink.'

Ranger came to the Panthers from Anaheim as the main part of a 5 player trade back in 2006:
October 30, 2006 – Florida//Anaheim Trade:

TO FLA: Paul Ranger, Michel Ouellet & Jamie McGinn (Prospect)

TO ANA: Daniel Briere, Year 2007: FLA 5 (Justin Falk)

Paul Ranger career stats:

Year Team GP G A PTS. PIMs +/-

4 FLA 82 2 15 17 22 -8

5 FLA 82 5 23 28 21 -3

6 FLA 82 7 31 38 30 +31

7 FLA 82 10 34 44 26 +21

8 FLA 82 14 41 55 26 +14

He completes his career with 182 points in 410 games played.

Of course this is not the first time something like this has happened during IronMike's reign as GM in Florida. In 2008, during the season, super sniper Ivan Novoseltsev left the team to return home to Europe. He never played another NsHL game.

The loss of Ranger certainly means an expanded role for defenders Braydon Coburn, Mike Mottau and Brett Festerling. Coburn and Mottau should see more action in the crucial minutes of games this season. While Festerling might make the club after spending last season with the Panthers minor league team in Jacksonville.