There may not be many people in the hockey world more versatile than Chad Scharff. After all, over the last decade he has been a player, scout, coach and equipment manager, all for the same team.

But none of those avenues ever gave the Smoky Lake, Alta., native the opportunity to do want he wanted most in hockey – represent Canada on the international stage.

He’ll finally get his chance in November, when he stands on the bench as equipment manager for Team Canada Black at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

It’s not exactly the scenario he envisioned as a kid. Actually, that scenario didn’t even involve hockey.

“To be honest when I was younger I thought I would be a police officer,” Scharff says. “My dad was in the RCMP for 25 years. My brother is in the RCMP now and I have uncles who are members. I always thought I’d become a police officer.”

But hockey called, and Scharff answered; he was drafted 153rd overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2001 WHL Bantam Draft, beginning a long relationship with the organization.

He played parts of five seasons with the Giants, helping the team win the WHL championship and reach the Memorial Cup in 2006, but found himself on the outside looking in early in the 2006-07 season when Vancouver – preparing to host the 2007 Memorial Cup – had to make decisions on its three 20-year-olds.

That he was the odd man out wasn’t a surprise to Scharff. What came next was.

“I had been with the organization since 2001 and kind of knew that my playing career was coming to an end,” he says. “Before I was done we had some talks on how I can stay within the organization.”

Scharff was offered a scouting position with the Giants. His knowledge of hockey and understanding of the organization made for an easy transition. But Scharff didn’t stay in that role for long.

After just six months, and a Memorial Cup title, he was named an assistant coach with the Giants, joining head coach Don Hay behind the Giants’ bench for the 2007-08 season. After three years, though, he left the position. It was a difficult decision, but one made with his family in mind.

“You live and die by wins and losses,” Scharff remembers. “I was young, I was 22 years old when I started coaching and it’s tough. It’s a tough track to get to the top and where you want to be.”

But once again he didn’t have to look far for his next challenge; Scharff accepted a position as equipment manager with the Giants, continuing his tour of the organization.

“When I was a player I always loved equipment; never thought I’d have a job in it, but thought it’d be cool,” he said. “When I was approached I thought ‘Why not, I’ve done everything else,’ might as well try this too.”

His work with Vancouver led him to the NHL and a position as assistant equipment manager with the Edmonton Oilers, and then back to the WHL beginning last season as head equipment manager with the Saskatoon Blades.

And now, finally, a chance to be a part of Team Canada.

He won’t be pulling on a Team Canada jersey, but that doesn’t matter. To be able to be a part of the international game is enough, especially for someone who has spent so much of his life in hockey.

“I’ve had the chance to stay with hockey so long,” Scharff says. “It has become my life and my passion, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. When the game is so good to you, all you want to do it keep going.”