Justin Rabackoff

Justin Rabackoff, commonly known as J-Rab, is an American professional paintball player who has represented Russian Legion, Tampa Bay Damage, Edmonton Impact and ac Diesel. His career includes professional World Cup victories with Boston Red Legion and Edmonton Impact. He returned to Russian Legion for the 2024 season. [1][2][3][4][5]

Rabackoff is the son of professional paintball player Steve Rabackoff. [6]

Professional career

Boston Red Legion

Rabackoff joined Boston Red Legion in 2008. In a retrospective account published in February 2012, he described his time with the organisation as a highlight of his career. [1]

He was part of the team's winning rosters at the 2009 and 2010 PSP World Cups. The 2010 team defeated Chicago Aftershock 7-0 in the professional final. His teammates during this period included Alexander Berdnikov, Mikhail Knyazev, Vasiliy Panteleev, Kirill Prikhidni and Sergey Solnyshkov. [2][3]

Tampa Bay Damage

Rabackoff left Boston Red Legion after the 2011 season and joined Tampa Bay Damage for 2012. In his published account of the move, he stated that he had chosen to leave rather than being released by the club. [1]

His time with Damage lasted one season. In January 2013, contemporary reporting confirmed his move to Edmonton Impact. [4]

Edmonton Impact

Rabackoff became part of Edmonton Impact's professional roster in 2013. [4]

In 2016, he won the NXL World Cup with Impact, which defeated Moscow Red Legion 9-4 in the professional final. The NXL named Rabackoff the World Cup Finals Most Valuable Player. [7][8]

He also received the Golden Barrel award at the 2019 NXL Las Vegas event while representing Impact. The award recognised the event's outstanding individual player. [9]

ac Diesel and return to Russian Legion

Rabackoff played for ac Diesel during the 2023 season before returning to Russian Legion in 2024. A March 2024 appearance on the Play The Game podcast discussed his departure from Diesel and his first event back with the Russian organisation, which finished third at the Las Vegas Major. [5]

He subsequently helped Red Legion win the 2024 NXL Mid-Atlantic Major. The team defeated Edmonton Impact 5-4 in the semi-finals and Chicago Aftershock 7-4 in the final. [10]

Rabackoff was also part of Red Legion's winning roster at the 2025 NXL Midwest Open, where the team defeated TonTon FSU 5-3 in the professional final. [11]

Playing style

Rabackoff has been recognised for his ability to play different positions and finish points. In its retrospective assessment of leading professional players, Iconic Paintball highlighted his versatility, timing and ability to close games, alongside his contribution to Edmonton Impact's sustained success. [12]

Media

Rabackoff was the subject of the GoSports documentary series InFocus, which followed his professional career and experiences with Edmonton Impact. Paintball Media promoted the series in March 2017. [6]

See also

• Russian Legion
• Edmonton Impact
• Steve Rabackoff
• Paintball World Cup

References

1. Moving On.... Justin Rabackoff, Social Paintball, 1 February 2012.
2. Boston Red Legion roster and results, World Cup 2009. PBLeagues.
3. Boston Red Legion roster and results, World Cup 2010. PBLeagues.
4. Breaking News: Edmonton Impact Signs Justin Rabackoff for 2013. Social Paintball, 16 January 2013, updated 20 January 2013.
5. Episode 239: Justin Rabackoff. Play The Game Podcast, 12 March 2024.
6. InFocus: Justin Rabackoff, Episode 1. John Amodea, Paintball Media, 6 March 2017.
7. Impact Wins World Cup, NXL 2016. Paintball Win Count, November 2016.
8. Justin Rabackoff, World Cup Finals MVP. National Xball League, 23 November 2016.
9. Golden Barrels. Paintball Win Count.
10. Red Legion roster and results, NXL Mid-Atlantic Major 2024. PBLeagues.
11. Red Legion roster and results, NXL Midwest Open 2025. PBLeagues.
12. The 50 Greatest Paintball Players of All-Time. Iconic Paintball.