Edward Wilson “Ted” Scharf

Much of Ted Scharf’s leadership and contributions to the community has been through his lengthy association with the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club, complemented by his personal volunteerism and service to the community.

The changes to the Kitchener Rangers enacted under his leadership have positioned the organization as a sports franchise that is envied and respected by players, peers, and stakeholders throughout the country – “one of the best among the best”. Under his leadership and serving as an agent of change, the Rangers Hockey Club now positively impacts many areas of the community through sports development, social services, and philanthropy.

Ted was a first-round (tenth overall) selection of the Kitchener Rangers. He excelled in his junior hockey career, playing 140 games over three seasons, and was named Rangers’ Team Captain in his third season.

Ted played five seasons professionally in the World Hockey Association with the New York Raiders.
Following his retirement from the Raiders, he returned to Waterloo Region and successfully obtained his real estate license. In 1988, he launched his own brokerage firm, Scharf Realty Limited, and was elected to the Board of Directors of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club – the first ever Rangers alumni player to become a director.

While a member of the Rangers’ Executive, Ted’s leadership skills were clear and acknowledged, and he was elected as the club’s president. He is the club’s longest serving Rangers President (nine years) from 1996-2000, 2002-2003, and 2006-2009.

Ted served as president the last two times that the Rangers won the Ontario Hockey League championship, including the 2003 Memorial Cup Championship in Quebec City, and when Kitchener hosted the 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Over the decades, Ted has served the community in a variety of volunteer roles some spanning several decades including Athlete of the Year Program; Camp McGovern Celebrity Golf Tournament; Independent living Centre of Waterloo Region; Joseph Schneider House; Kitchener Minor Hockey Association; KW Real Estate Board; KW Symphony Orchestra; KW Zonta Club; Scouts Canada Jamboree; Stanley Park Optimist Club; Tournament of Hope Golf Classic; Volunteer Action Centre; and Waterloo Regional Police Association.

Recognition for his outstanding contributions to the community include: the Kitchener Sports Association, and having the inaugural Kitchener Rangers Humanitarian Award named as the “TED Scharf Humanitarian Award”; Volunteer Action Centre “Community Partner Award”; the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club Executive Boardroom named as “The Ted Scharf Room”; and the KW Association of Realtors’ “Volunteer of the Year” 2016.

Wearing the “C” on his hockey jersey when he was captain of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Team has become emblematic of Ted Scharf’s commitment and leadership in his community. His caring and compassionate spirit are evidenced in his many contributions to Waterloo Region.