A Day in the Life - Athletic Therapy with Minor Hockey

Back in September of 2014 I accepted the position as Athletic Therapist for the midget AAA Regina Pat Canadians. Since my first day with the team I knew it was going to be something special. The team showed great resiliency in battling through some adversity and injuries, and two championships and a national bronze medal later I couldn’t be more thankful for the memories I have made with this team. As team Athletic Therapist my duties were numerous; aside from my regular duties of assessing injuries, creating player specific rehabilitation plans, and deciding when it is safe for a player to return to play, I was also asked to assist with the day to day activities such as filling water bottles and setting up the bench before games. I was really made to feel like an important part of the team right from the beginning. Playing 44 games during the regular season comes with a lot of traveling throughout Saskatchewan. Occasionally this involved some very long bus trips and late nights. Despite the lack of sleep and grind of being on the road, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Attending the 2015 Telus Cup in Riviere-Du-Loup, Quebec was the opportunity of a lifetime for both the 20 players on the team and for me as team therapist. I was tremendously fortunate in getting to share in the glory of a championship at both the regional and provincial level, but was also called upon to wipe away a few tears after a tough loss in the national semi final. Words cannot explain how thankful I am for these young men and the impact they have had on my life. I wish them all the best as they take the next step in both their careers as hockey players and as young men.