It seems like a new team that’s coming to Cochrane will be all the rage for high-level ringette, with the official announcement of the National Ringette League’s newest team, the Rocky Mountain Rage, who are gearing up for the 2025/2026 competitive season.
Founding committee member Angie Pighin said that their group, which consists of locals from the Cochrane area, have all been involved with the ringette community for several years.
“Cochrane was the most logical place for the home of the Rocky Mountain Rage,” Pighin said.
In terms of the name itself, Pighin said the Rage drew their name almost naturally.
“Cochrane is the direction of the Rocky Mountains, which is a natural way of coming up with that, but some of the high-level players tossed it around, and we liked it,” she explained. “So, we grabbed on to it. Not much magic, but that’s how it came about.”
Currently, the team is still in its development phase with tryouts scheduled to take place in August. Pighin explained that the National Ringette League is the longest continuously running professional sports league in Canada. The league itself is completely athlete funded and consists of Canada’s elite Ringette players over the age of 18.
“We’re really excited that the Cochrane Arena is going to be the home of the Rocky Mountain Rage, and we’re really looking forward to inspiring and leading the future growth of high-quality ringette in the region,” she said.
With a growing interest in the realm of professional ringette, Pighin believes that the Rage can become one of Cochrane’s sport's phenoms.
“We really intend to plant our roots in Cochrane,” she said. “It’s definitely our hope that we do get the recognition and notoriety that things such as agents in town.”
Pighin adds that the team plans to host a special jersey and jersey logo reveal in the spring. With their debut on the horizon, the Rage is also looking to try and fit a potential exhibition double-header in their schedule for September.
“We’re hoping that will draw a crowd to come out and see what that’s all about,” she said. “Both within the ringette community and people that aren’t familiar with the sport, to come out and see how talented these athletes really are.”
Overall, Pighin said she would like to give a special thanks to the SLS Centre, the Cochrane Minor Hockey Association, and all the people and organizations that made the team a reality.
Chief executive officer for the SLS Centre Erin Wager looks forward to welcoming the team to Cochrane.
"We are excited to welcome the Rocky Mountain Rage National Ringette League team to Cochrane and make SLS Centre and Cochrane Arena their home,” Wagner said. “We look forward to working together with the Rage to support their training and development for years ahead.
“The team's presence is a proud moment for our expanding community and will inspire young athletes while bringing the thrilling sport of ringette to a wider audience in our region."
The Rage can be followed on their Instagram page @rockymountainrage. For anyone who is interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Rage, they can connect directly with Pighin via [email protected].
