Now this is some ‘Super’ good news.
The Roughnecks have re-signed superstar forward Curtis ‘Superman’ Dickson to a one-year agreement ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
The stalwart righty will head into his 11th-season with the Riggers after notching 21 goals and 41 points in the shortened 2020 campaign. Like many others in the league, he’s chomping at the bit to get back.
“I’m very excited,” Dickson said. “I think everybody has just kind of been on pins and needles waiting for lacrosse to be back. I think the whole team is just excited to get back out there, get back out in front of the fans and get things going again after what feels like 10 years off.”
Not quite ten years, but 591 days since the Riggers last saw game action.
While it wasn’t an ideal scenario, there was a bright side – Dickson used the time wisely, recovering from years of rough and tumble play.
“It’s been different,” Dickson said of the pause. “Ever since I was a kid I’ve been playing lacrosse or some form of sports for at least 11 or 12 months out of the year. Not having any real competitive league play go on for that long has definitely been different.
“But me being an older guy it’s not the worst thing in the world to give the body a chance to rest up and mend itself. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling fresh and ready to go.”
Following free agency and the expansion draft, Dickson is now the most veteran offensive player on the team and is prepared to take on an even larger leadership position.
“I’m going into my 11th season and at least for the last few years I’ve considered myself a leader,” he said. “You know I’m not a big ‘rah-rah’ guy that gives the big pre-game speeches but I just like to lead by example and let my play do the talking on the floor. I know our offence is going to be a lot younger this year. We’ve got some good young draft picks and guys coming in that are eager to play and get out there that haven’t played at this level before. My role is to take them under my wing the way that Kaleb Toth and Scott Ranger did for me when I came into this league many moons ago.
“There’s some really good lacrosse players that are up and coming on our team, obviously they wouldn’t have been picked if they didn’t deserve a spot. I’m excited to get out there to camp and see what those guys are made of. There are lots of opportunities to take spots and fill some roles, so it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”
As for this season’s goals, you can probably guess what Dickson is aiming for. Go big or go home, right?
“It’s championship or bust,” he said. “Technically we’re still defending champions as everyone knows. We’ve lost a few guys and I’m sure a few people will count us out and not pick us to finish near the top. But we know we have the skill, our backend is looking really good, and obviously anytime you have a guy like Christian Del Bianco in net you give yourself a chance to win. We’re looking to go back out there and defend our title.”
It won’t be long until he gets his chance to. The new season begins Dec. 4 when the Roughnecks head to Buffalo for a 2019 championship rematch, while the Roughnecks’ Home Opener is set for Dec. 17.
No doubt Superman is ready to put on a show for the Rough House.
“We love our fans in Calgary,” he said. “There’s no better place to play than the ’Dome. We’re amped up and excited to get back out in front of them, they’re the best fans in the league.”
