- PHATS

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY
ATHLETIC TRAINERS SOCIETY
SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL
HOCKEY EQUIPMENT MANAGERS
Newsletter Spring 2009
2009 PHATS/SPHEM Annual Meeting
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa…here we come! Back by popular demand, we will be returning to Phoenix,
AZ for the 2009 Annual meeting, June 24-29. The hotel provides a perfect ambience for conducting meetings, networking
and enjoying the scenic backdrop of the mountains and the desert resort life. This year we have incorporated a half day of
relaxation on Sunday to take advantage of all the resort has to offer, an ideal destination for your whole family!
Meeting Overview
Hotel
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa
Cut Off Date for Reservations: June 1st, 2009
Hotel Reservations can be made via www.phats-sphem.com or by calling
the hotel directly, 480-293-5000, please ask for the PHATS group.
Meeting Registrations:
Visit the PHATS/SPHEM website, www.phats-sphem.com to complete
your registration for the meeting.
Late fees apply after May 15th for Exhibitors and members.
Meeting Agenda:
(for a detailed agenda, visit www.phats-sphem.com)
Wednesday, June 24
PHATS/SPHEM/FOMA Registration
Thursday, June 25
PHATS/SPHEM/FOMA Executive Committee Meetings
Opening General Session
FOMA meetings
PHATS/SPHEM Education
SPHEM league Breakouts
NHL Gatorade Reception
Exhibitor Registration
Exhibit Hall Set Up in afternoon and evening
Friday, June 26
Exhibitor Registration continued
Exhibit Hall Set Up continued, 8:00-noon
PHATS/SPHEM education
FOMA Meetings
Exhibit Hall Open
CPR
Welcome Reception
Saturday, June 27
Exhibit Hall Open
FOMA Meetings
PHATS/SPHEM education
Exhibit Hall Breakdown
Sunday, June 28
FOMA Meetings
NHL PHATS/SPHEM meetings
PHATS/SPHEM education
Free Afternoon
Coyotes Locker Room & Visiting Locker Room Tour
NHL Committee Skate Meeting
Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner
Monday, June 29
PHATS/SPHEM Golf Tournament
Highlights of the Week
Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner
Sunday, June 28
What a great way to end a busy and productive week by honoring one of our most colorful alumni, Jim
“Bearcat” Murray! The Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner will be a high energy night with Keynote
Speaker, Terry Crisp and inductee Bearcat. Many of Bearcat’s friends, family and colleagues will be in
attendance to pay tribute to a legend in Calgary and in the hockey world. He is an ambassador for the
game of hockey as well as athletic trainers and equipment managers alike.
Congratulations to all the 2009 Milestone Recipients
for games worked!
All recipients will be honored at the Hall of Fame Dinner.
2
Phoenix Coyote Locker Room Tour-Sunday, June 28
Take a complimentary tour of the Phoenix Coyotes home and visitor’s locker room. Buses leave at 1:30 from the
hotel and return by 4:30 pm. Stan Wilson, Head Equipment manager and Jason Serbus, Head Athletic Trainer
of the Phoenix Coyotes will give you a detailed tour of their home away from home.
PHATS/SPHEM Golf Tournament
When: Monday, June 29, 7:30am
Where: Wildfire Golf Club
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa
The Palmer Signature Golf Course
Cost: $100, includes a boxed breakfast and an awards luncheon immediately following the tournament.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Unwind and relax with members and
vendors alike after a busy week of education and business.
ThankYou To Our 2009 Annual Meeting Sponsors:
Voss Lighting
Don’t Forget to Sign Up for the
Sports First Responder Course
(see deatils on next page)
3
• On-ice hockey specific scenarios, 2009 spinal care
guidelines
• Respiratory; asthma, COPD, hyperventilation
• Medical; cardiac, CVA, seizures, diabetes
• Shock; physiological/electrical
• Poisoning; intoxication , severe allery; Epi-pen, Twinject
auto-injector
• Burns; superficial, partial/full thickness, scalds, electrical
• Hyperthermia/hypothermia/frost nip/frost bite,
hypernatremia
• Triage, multiple casualty, moves, lifts, transfers, exams
We welcome back John Boulay to host a hockey-specific Sports
First Responder course in Phoenix again, prior to our annual
meeting. John is a certified athletic therapist with over 25 years
of experience in EMS and sports medicine. He has worked
as a therapist at over 15 major games, including selection to
2010 Olympics. The Sports First Responder course certifies
the sports medicine responder with a standardized level of basic
emergency care at the level of “First Responder”.
Schedule of Events:
Date: Monday, June 22 - Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday: 1:00-6:00pm (C)
Tuesday: 8:00-5:00pm (C) , 1:00-5:00pm (R)
Wednesday: 8:00-5:00pm (C) + (R),
6:30-8:30pm Ice Den (C) + (R)
Thursday: 8:00-12:00pm (C) + (R)
*3 Day course for Certification (C) or Re-Certification. (R)
*Certification is valid for 3 years.
Course Details: Hockey specific First Responder certification
for professional trainers/therapists.
Updated on-ice intervention strategies based on ILCOR 2005
and latest PHTLS standards.
Course Content:
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS/9-1-1) system
• Role as First Responder, legal aspects, disease transmission
• Responder/home team responsibilities
• Reporting, communication protocols
• Equipment, tools, supplies, guidelines
• ILCOR 2005 & PHTLS 2007 applications in hockey
• Health Care Provider – CPR/AED
• Primary survey: U- AVPU/Glasgow • UABCd, airway access, equipment extrication • Visor/Helmet removal, head/ neck re-alignment
• Obstructed airway; conscious Heimlich, unconscious CPR
• Airway adjuncts: oro-pharyngeal, naso- pharyngeal • Ventilation; pocket mask, bag-valve-mask (2 person)
• Oxygenation; cylinder, regulator, masks, cannula
• Suction; manual/mechanical
• Secondary Survey: DEFG, guidelines, vital signs
• Hemorrhage control; capillary, venous, arterial,
• Hemorrhage control; direct pressure, indirect pressure,
tourniquet
• Wound; care, dressing, bandaging, protection
• Soft tissue management, msk, amputation, avulsion
• Head trauma: TBI (traumatic brain injury) mild/severe
• Facial/neck/chest/ribs/viscera/pelvis/genitalia
• Fracture management; joint, long bone alignment,
immobilization
• Spinal; assessment/immobilization/boarding on/off ice/
packaging
Place:
Xona Resort Suites
7677 E. Princess Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
*hotel is in close proximity to the Phoenix Coyotes practice
facility, the Ice Den.
Register on the PHATS-SPHEM website, www.phats-sphem.
com. Log in as a member and then click on the Sports First
Responder Link. Maximum participants, 24 ppl. Registration
deadline: May 1, 2009. Room Reservations to be made via a
rooming list submitted by Anita Ramsay. Please contact Anita
at aramsay1@optonline.net to make your reservation.
Fees:
Certification: $550
Re-Certification: $350
*Fees include: course registration, Red Cross fees, SFR Manual
2009, Red Cross Emergency Care Manual 2008
CEU’s: BOC Certified Athletic Trainers are awarded 10
CEU’s (#P3700)
CATA Certified Athletic Therapists are awarded 5.0 CEU’s
Certificates: First Responder, CPR/AED-HCP, Epinephrine
Administration, Oxygen Administration
4
Dear Members,
Dear Members,
Hope this letter finds you all well
Hope this letter finds you all well and getting ready for
and getting ready for the playoffs
the playoffs or planning or enjoying some down time. The
or planning or enjoying some
All Star weekend meetingsdown
weretime.
very productive this past
January. Some of the highlights include the continuation of
Star weekend
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include the continuation of the Foot and Ankle Study and a
the first time since the inception of this panel. Thank you to
meeting this summer with the NHL Health Management
all who have and continue to contribute to this success. The
Panel and manufacturers. The concussion working group is
AHMS system is an ever evolving process of our needs and
working on publishing, for the first time since the inception
modifications/additions. I ask that you continue to support
of this panel. Thank you to all who have and continue to
this by voicing any and all concerns with regards to making
contribute to this success.
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sponsors have done a fantastic job of hanging in there with
to take a moment to encourage all members to attend as our
us. Gatorade, PowerBar and Sutton Medical Technologies
schedule has some great educational opportunities.
have continued to lead the way in terms of support. We
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spend some time with him on a trip to Calgary where he
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continues to be an ambassador for the Flames. He loves
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of our members.
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In closing, we have a great wealth of knowledge and
questions or concerns.
professionalism within our ranks. Please be mindful when
attending
theattention,
meetings this summer, or for that matter,
Thank
you for
anytime you have an opportunity to do so, dress and conduct
Ray Tufts
yourselves in the manner that would enhance all of us.
PHATS President
Remember to contact myself or your representative (Don
Head
Athletic Trainer
Delnegro-East
and Mike Burnstein-West), if you have any
San
Jose
Sharks
questions or concerns.
Thank you for your attention,
Ray Tufts
PHATS President
Head Athletic Trainer, San Jose Sharks
EDITORS
A Big Thank You to our Contributing Newsletter Editors:
John Sullo, Head Athletic Trainer, Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)
Michael Bronstein, Head Athletic Trainer, Trenton Devils (ECHL)
George Bullock, Head Athletic Trainer, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (CHL)
Shawn Dundon, Head Athletic Trainer, Fort Wayne Komets (IHL)
Jeff “Smoke” Adams, Head Equipment Manager, Columbus Cotton Mouths (SPHL)
Ray Thill, Head Equipment Manager, Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Tom Mulligan, Head Athletic Trainer, Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
55
As our seasons wind down and
we gear up for playoffs, there are
a couple of things that we must
recognize.
Cascade Helmets, Sherwood, Underarmour and Blademaster.
We will also be offering special education sessions to the
Associate members. Joe Guilmet (Atlanta Thrashers) and Jeff
Camilio, (Nashville Predators) will be conducting a special
session on making composite boot covers. Rick Bronwell
and Roy Sneesby of the San Jose Sharks will be speaking on
visiting locker room standardization and also what NHL teams
pack for both short and long road trips.
Congratulations to all of those
who have achieved milestones for
games worked this season. Rip
Simonek, Buffalo Sabres, joins
an elite group that has worked over 3000 games. Pete Rogers,
Nashville Predators and Harry Bricker, Philadelphia Flyers,
each reach the 1500 game mark. The 1000 game milestones
include, Scott Boggs, New York Islanders, Ray Thill, Tampa
Bay Lightning, John Krouse, San Antonio Rampage, Tom
Severance, Binghamton Senators and Eric Bechtol of the
Kalamazoo Wings. Congratulations to all on all of your hard
work for your teams. You may not hear it on a daily basis but
your hard work and tireless efforts are truly appreciated by all
of those you serve game in and game out.
Each year the success of our meetings and show is directly
related to those who support us. The next time you see your
favorite vendor, please ask them if they have purchased their
booth. If you see a vendor or someone new who may benefit
from being at our show, please forward them our contact
information to purchase a booth. www.phats-sphem.com .
Each year, the SPHEM Executives look to make sure that
members in every group are well represented. As in the past, if
you have any ideas, or wish to have an idea brought forward for
discussion, please feel free to contact your league rep so it can
be addressed. If you feel that you may want to contact myself
or any member of the SPHEM Executive directly, please feel
free to do so. Our ongoing growth relies on participation from
all members in every league that make up our group.
This year we will once again be conducting our annual
meetings and trade show in Phoenix, AZ. The program will
again be “top shelf ” with the emphasis being on education. I
would like to thank Pete Rogers for his efforts in coordinating
and putting together the presenters for the first year of the
SPHEM Enhanced Education Program. We have reached
out to our greatest asset, our vendors, to relay information and
educate us about products and technology used in our everyday
dealings in the game that we work in. This year, we will be
educated on various hockey specific topics from Renfrew
Tape, Warrior, Bauer, Vaughn, Blackstone, Sportstape, Reebok,
Best of luck in your post season, I am looking forward to
seeing all of you in Phoenix.
Paul Boyer
Sphem President
Head Equipment Manager, Detroit Red Wings
Facebook
The facebook “friend” frenzy is in full swing. PHATS
and SPHEM now have a presence on the popular social
networking site www.facebook.com. Over 50 members have
already joined!
This is a fun way to stay in touch with other members and
participate in a discussion board and more... stay tuned! Also,
Blademaster SPHEM members can tag themselves in the
annual photo taken during lunch the last few years.
Annual PHATS SPHEM Member Book
Society Photographer Shelly Castellano has agreed to put
together an annual hard bound book of PHATS and SPHEM
members at work in hockey. In Shelly’s spare time, she will
contact you and find a time to meet and spend a few minutes
doing a personal interview and photographically document you
on the job. This project supports both of our society Mission
There is a PRIVATE Members Only Society Group that
you can join if you are a current active member of PHATS
SPHEM. If you would like to tell your currently paid member
friends to find us on facebook www.facebook.com, please have
them request Phats Sphem as a friend first. We will verify
their membership and can add them to the private group.
Continued on page 14
6
business. Most importantly, don’t take your profession or
position for granted. It truly is a privilege and can all change
very quickly.
Jason Serbus, Head Athletic Trainer, Phoenix Coyotes
PHATS: This is your first year
in the NHL at Head Athletic
Trainer with the Phoenix
Coyotes. What leagues had you
previously worked in to get to
this point?
JS: I have been fortunate to have
had athletic training experiences
interning in the NFL as well
as working in Arena Football
and the NCAA. My first job as a Head Athletic Trainer in
professional hockey was in the Western Professional Hockey
League. I have since worked in the ECHL, the Deutsche
Eishockey League (DEL-1) in Germany, and in Tampa Bay
as Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Lightning.
PHATS: You have spearheaded the Emergency Medical
Bags developed for all the NHL teams. Tell us about that.
JS: I was a member of the PHATS Emergency committee
formed after the 2007 Sports First Responder Course (along
with Mike Vogt, Jason Bailey, and Garrett Timms). Our
group made it a goal to add basic emergency care items,
including AED and airway, to the list of supplies provided to
visiting teams. This project has been an on-going effort by a
lot of people to help the athletic trainers in the NHL to be
prepared to deal with emergency situations.
PHATS: You have had a big year…new job, new city and
you are a new Dad. How has that transition been for you?
JS: There hasn’t been much sleep, but we are thankful for our
blessings!
PHATS: How does the NHL differ from what you
experienced in the past?
PHATS: Who have been your mentors over the years that
have inspired you?
JS: Larger medical staffs in the NHL allow athletic trainers
to be much more specific to individual player needs. I think
the administrative demands are much greater for the NHL
athletic trainer as compared to other professional hockey
leagues that I have worked in.
JS: After a couple of knee surgeries and a collegiate career
cut short, I was fortunate to have a college football coach,
John O’Grady, and athletic trainer Gary Eloranta, guide me
to the athletic training education program. This ultimately
led me to the profession, but more importantly taught me
a career lesson about doing what’s best for your athletes in
sports and in life. I had always respected these men for their
knowledge, passion, and commitment, but look back now
with even more respect that they would take the extra time
to “do the right thing”. Several years later I can say that I
continue to be inspired by too many great trainers, equipment
managers, players, coaches and people to name. The people
that continue to inspire me the most share knowledge,
passion, commitment, and make the extra effort to “do the
right thing”.
PHATS: What do you enjoy most about being the Head
athletic trainer in the NHL?
JS: I enjoy the challenges working with and helping to guide
a medical staff.
PHATS: What do you enjoy the least?
JS: I think most guys agree that balancing travel and
professional responsibilities with family can often be
challenging.
PHATS: How can you help trainers in the minor leagues
prepare better for their jobs and career advancements?
PHATS: What are you future goals and aspirations?
JS: I once heard a coach respond to being asked about
moving up to the big-time, that “the big-time is where you
are at.” Be the best trainer that you can be, no matter what
level or league. Think about how you interact and treat people.
Be proactive in growing your knowledge and experience.
Enjoy what you do. We are all very fortunate to work in this
JS: Simple. Be a good dad, a good husband, and help some of
the best hockey players in the world win a Stanley Cup.
7
Darren Granger, Head Equipment Manager, Los Angeles Kings
SPHEM: How many years
have you been Head Equipment
Manager with the Los Angeles
Kings?
turned out that my love for the game and especially the job we
do got the better of me and things just didn’t work out in the
“real world”.
So after the Olympic break that season I started to put out
some “feelers” to get back into the game. One of my first calls
was to Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson to explain my
situation and ask if he would consider me to work the World
Championship that year in Latvia. I thought this would be a
good start to show that I was serious about getting back into
the NHL. During the tournament things started to fall into
place and I was very fortunate to get a few calls including the
one that would have me end up in Los Angeles.
DG: 3 rd Season
SPHEM: Where were you prior
to the Kings?
DG: Prior to joining the Kings
I spent 13 seasons with the
Vancouver Canucks as Assistant Equipment Manager. I got my
start with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey
League.
I don’t regret leaving the game for that year. I think it gave me
a new outlook on the job and made me realize how lucky I was
to be in the NHL.
SPHEM: What do you enjoying most about being in the NHL?
DG: The thing I enjoy most about working in the NHL is the
people. I have met and worked with so many great people from
all parts of the game. I especially enjoy working with the staff
that we have here in Los Angeles, as well as our AHL affiliate
in Manchester. These guys are all really good at what they do
and are a pleasure to work with. We all work together very well
and enjoy spending time with each other. These guys really
make my job easier and I could not do it without each and
every one of them.
SPHEM: What advice do you have for guys in the minor
leagues aspiring to be in the NHL? What skills should they
work on?
DG: Continue to work hard and pay attention to detail. Those
things will get you recognition you are looking for from your
peers as well as the rest of the people in hockey. Relationships
are what will make your career move forward.
SPHEM: You are Treasurer for SPHEM. What made you
want to get more involved in the society?
SPHEM: You have worked a lot of World Championships.
Tell us about them and what you gained from working them?
DG: I think we all need to help to make the society be
successful. This organization is like no other in professional
sports and we all need to keep working at it so we can keep the
society moving forward and getting better each year.
DG: I have worked a number of different events for Hockey
Canada including a few World Championships. I owe a lot
to Hockey Canada for how my career has shaped up. Team
Canada is a first class organization, and I have always been
really proud to work with Team Canada whenever they have
asked. I have gained so much through working these events and
have met so many good people who have had big influences in
my career and life. They have given me the opportunity to work
with some of the best managers, coaches, trainers, equipment
managers, and players in the world. I have gained so much
from all of them, which has made me better at what I do. I
would highly recommend that any young equipment manager
or trainer get involved with their country’s hockey program.
SPHEM: What do you want your NHL peers to know about
you that they don’t already know?
DG: Since being in LA, I have picked up surfing, I am not very
good at it, but I love it!
SPHEM: Who have been your mentors over the years? Any
guys you really admire?
DG: There are so many people that have made a difference to
me over the years but two stand out above everyone else. Craig
(Zinger) Heisinger showed me what it takes to get to the NHL
and Pat O’Neill showed me what it takes to stay in the NHL.
Both, I am proud to call my friends and both are a big part of
why I am doing what I am today.
SPHEM: You took some time off from working as an
equipment manager in the NHL and then got back into it.
What was that like?
DG: During the lockout I decided to return home to Manitoba
with my family with plans to take over our family business. It
was a move made for my family. With two young kids and the
travel we put in, we thought this would be the right change. It
SPHEM: What are your future goal/aspirations?
DG: Like everyone else…To win a Stanley Cup!
8
Shawn Dundon, Fort Wayne Komets
IHL Update by Shawn M. Dundon, BS, ATC, LAT Fort
Wayne Komets
Bloomington Prairie Thunder (IHL). In
2000-01 he notched his personal best
for points with 113 and in 2002-03 he
tallied a career best 57 goals. Both of
his personal best were celebrated with
the Memphis RiverKings. Congratulations to Don Parsons on
a long and productive career.
Bloomington Prairie Thunder celebrated with Don Parsons
this year in the IHL as he became Minor League Hockeys
all time goal scoring leader. Late in December he netted two
goals against the Flint Generals to pass Kevin Kerr. The Prairie
Thunder would later part ways with the 40 year old Parsons
capping his record setting total at 682 goals.
This season also saw the Kalamazoo Wings equipment
manager Eric Bechtol celebrate a career mark. Eric has passed
the 1000 game plateau behind the bench for the K-Wings.
Eric is now in his fourth season with the K-Wings. Before
joining the K-Wings Eric spent nine season as an assistant
equipment manager with the St Louis Blues and as the head
equipment manager with the Fort Worth Fire of the Central
Hockey League. Eric began his career in hockey as a stick
boy in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Congratulations Eric from your
colleagues here at PHATS-SPHEM!
During his 17 year career Parsons has played in the IHL,
ECHL, CHL, UHL, and the AHL. He has played with the
Nashville Knights (ECHL), Tallahasee Tiger Sharks (ECHL),
Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL), Worcester Ice Cats (AHL), Baton
Rouge Kingfish (ECHL), Louisiana Ice Gators (ECHL),
Manitoba Moose (IHL), Cleveland Lumberjacks (IHL), Flint
Generals (UHL), Memphis RiverKings (CHL), St. Johns
Maple Leafs (AHL), Quad City Mallards (UHL), and the
John Sullo, ATC, CSCS, Bridgeport Sound Tigers
With only a few games left in the regular season, playoff
races are heating up as teams jockey for position and look
towards their ultimate goal, The Calder Cup. With the end
of the 2009 regular season, the AHL will say good bye to
the Philadelphia Spectrum. A building with so many great
moments from the Broad Street Bullies to the Russians versus
the Flyers, it will be sad to see it no longer on the schedule
next season. At least many of us have had the chance to work
in a building with such rich hockey history.
Kevin Kacer, ATC and Craig Kogut of
the Chicago Wolves. They, along with
their numerous helpers and stickboys,
helped make the event a success.
A reminder to everyone that has not filled out and returned
the 2008-2009 salary survey to Mike Hannegan; please do
so ASAP. This is for all of our benefits. Good luck in the
playoffs for those who are starting the “second season”, and a
safe and restful off season to everyone this summer. See you
in Phoenix!
Congratulations to Matt White, ATC and Vinny Ferriuolo,
hosts for the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic in Worcester and to
Jeff “Smoke” Adams Equipment Manager,, Columbus Cotton Mouths
Greetings to all from the SPHL! Once again the Knoxville
Icebears are the SPHL’s regular-season champions, claiming
their second consecutive William B. Coffey trophy and fourth
in the league’s five seasons.
by defeating the Havoc in Columbus on
Friday night, while the Knoxville Icebears
had locked up 1st Place overall the week
before. The Richmond Renegades and Twin
City Cyclones finished in 5th and 6th place,
respectively, and will be excluded from playoff competition.
There was no shortage of excitement down the homestretch of
this SPHL season. The final two playoff spots were determined
on the final day of competition in the last regular-season game
played, and in overtime to boot. The Columbus Cottonmouths
went to Huntsville and defeated the Havoc 5-4 in overtime,
which allowed the Fayetteville Fireantz to leapfrog into 3rd
Place in the standings by virtue of a win over the Twin City
Cyclones. The loss dropped the Havoc into 4th place and
the final playoff spot. Columbus had clinched 2nd place
With the playoff matchups set, the teams will take the ice to
begin the playoffs on Thursday, March 26th. The top-seeded
Knoxville Icebears will begin defending their President’s Cup
Championship at home against the Huntsville Havoc while the
Columbus Cottonmouths will have home-ice advantage in their
series against the Fayetteville Fireantz. Good luck to all on
what’s sure to be an exciting playoff run! 9
George Bullock, Jr, MS, ATC, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs Hockey Club
The Colorado Eagles in Loveland Colorado, hosted the CHL
All-Star Game and Festivities on January 14th, 2009. In a
move reminiscent of old-time hockey, the format for this year’s
mid-season classic featured the Eagles playing a team of CHL
All-Stars with representatives from the other 15 teams. The
Eagles scored five third period goals en route to a 8-4 win over
the CHL All-Stars. Konrad Reeder of Colorado had a Texas
hat Trick on the night and was awarded the MVP of the game.
Congratulations to the host training staff of Tony Deynzer
(EQ) and Chris Porowski (AT) and the All-Star training staff
of Patrick “Loaf ’ Stevens (EQ) and Wade Sundbye (AT). Loaf
and Wade, represented the CHL because they were voted by
their peers as the Kenneth ‘Gunner’ Garrett CHL Equipment
Manager of the Year and Athletic Trainer of the Year from the
previous season.
Year, Shawn “Stixy” Smith of the Rapid City
Rush and Athletic Trainer of the Year, Osama
“Sam” Kassab of the Rocky Mountain
Rage. Other league news includes the
announcing of two new franchises, Allen Texas
and Independence, Missouri, that will begin play in
October of 2009.
The Central Hockey League and Network Foundation
Technologies are pleased to announce a partnership that will
provide a “FREE-for-View” experience for all CHL hockey
fans, through the CHL Network. Starting with the 20082009 CHL regular season, all broadcasts will be live over the
Internet utilizing Network Foundation Technologies’ NiFTy
Online Television product. The CHL Network provides hockey
fans with an opportunity to follow their favorite team from the
comfort and convenience of their own computer. Games are
provided LIVE with a full or wide screen option. CHL games
are also archived and available to watch at a later date. This
partnership will provide world-wide access to all CHL regular
season and playoff games at no cost to the viewer. During the ASG Banquet, comedian Fred Klett performed, he
has been featured on Showtime’s “Comedy Club Network”. The
highlight of the evening was the presentation of the N. Thomas
Berry Willis HRH Commitment Cup given to a CHL person
that has shown great dedication and commitment to the CHL.
This year’s recipient was Oklahoma City Blazers Captain Tyler
Fleck. Also, the Laredo Bucks were named host of the 2010
CHL ASG, to be held in the state-of-the-art Laredo Event
Center in Laredo Texas.
The CHL has partnered this season, with The Starlight
Foundation which is giving $1,000 to a children’s charity in
each of the 17 CHL cities, from funds raised through the Hat
Tricks for Kids program.
Congratulations are extended to this year’s recipients of the
Kenneth ‘Gunner’ Garrett CHL Equipment Manager of the
Michael Bronstein, ATC Trenton Devils, ECHL Treasurer
With about six weeks left in the season, many of the playoff
races are tightening up and we all know what that means for the
staffs… Longer days and even longer nights, trying to do what
we can to help our teams to succeed and make it to the next
level.
The ECHL had a successful All-Star break in Reading, PA
on January 19-21. The staff of the Las Vegas Wranglers, Scott
McLay, ATC and Brian “Elvis” Garcia, Equipment Manager,
represented the National Conference. Michael Bronstein,
ATC of the Trenton Devils and Jason MacDonald, Equipment
Manager of the Florida Everblades, represented the American
Conference. All had a great time and many new and lasting
friendships were made. A special thank you to the staff of
the Reading Royals, Brian “Grogs” Grogesky, ATC and Pat
Noecker, Equipment Manager for their kindness,
hospitality, and help during the All-Star break.
We did have some sad moments this season so
far. We had to say good-bye to the Augusta
Lynx and Fresno Falcons early in the season. We
would like to wish both staffs a heartfelt thank you and wish
you all luck in your future endeavors. We know we will see all
of you again soon.
A quick reminder that June 24-29, 2009 is the PHATSSPHEM Annual Meeting being held in Phoenix, Arizona. So
please register soon.
Good luck to everyone for the final push of the season to the
playoffs.
10
thing I retired from was getting paid. I still got hundreds of
request to do the same thing I had been doing, and I’m still
doing around 250 appearances a year.
Jim “Bearcat” Murray, former Head Athletic Trainer,
Calgary Flames
I would like to thank all
of you for honoring me
with an award I didn’t
think was possible. From
the day I began my career
as an Athletic Trainer and
Therapist, I didn’t think I
was qualified, and I’ve had
that feeling all along. To be
honored like this by all of
you makes me very proud.
I’m so excited, come June I think I’ll have to wear pampers.
Now I have to tell you how tough it’s been. Golfing in
eighty plus charity golf tournaments, plus emceeing and
auctioneering most of them. Speaking at banquets, dinners,
charity events, parades, sporting events of all ages, etc. etc. etc.
Most of the speaking events are just telling hockey stories and
my careers. Not too much problem with that until I get to old
to remember them. I get pretty goofy most of the time, tap
dancing, singing and yodeling and those of you that know me
know what I mean. I’m goofy.
I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world. What the heck,
I’m not going to retire and miss out on all this fun. To work
is to live and to not work is to die. People tell me I’m so
enthusiastic and happy all the time. Well I can’t help it; I’m
having a good time.
I retired as a Trainer in the fall of 1996 to become the
Community Relations Ambassador for The Calgary Flames.
I had been doing this kind of work for years and the owners
and management wanted to make it a permanent position
in the company. The job was to compete in a lot of charity
events like golf tournaments, banquets, school visits, fund
raisers etc. It would take the pressure off of the players having
to make a lot of appearances for the team, and keep a good
standing in the community. I received the same wage plus
expenses and was my own boss. I made my own appointments
and assignments and was never bothered by management for
reports or accountability. I did what I wanted when I wanted.
I’ve sure had a good time.
I’ll finish this with the end of one of my speeches on setting
goals.
I set my goals for what I want to become, and this is one of
the greatest lessons I have ever learned. For what it will make
of me to achieve it. And here’s why. The greatest value in
life is not what you get; the greatest value in life is what you
become. The major question to ask yourself is not, what am I
getting here. The major question to ask is what am I becoming
here. IT’s not what you get that makes you valuable; it’s what
you become that makes you valuable.
I took a course on public speaking and began making keynote
speeches for corporations and company functions, schools
and clubs and lodges. Most of them were on teamwork, goal
setting, life long living and learning, and health and fitness.
Then I took a course on auctioneering, and all hell broke
loose. The requests from charity events were staggering. I
averaged 300 plus appearances a year for ten years. Then The
Flames organized a group of 20 or so people and called them
the Ambassadors. So I finally retired. That lasted about one
hour, when the first call came in to do an event. The only
I keep wondering what would have happened in 1967 if I had
done the easy thing and stayed with my job in the oil industry
instead of being myself, doing it my way and accepting the
job as a trainer. Remember, we either make a living or design
a life.
Bear Tracks – We make a living by what we get, but we make
a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill)
Thanks gang, see you in June. - Bearcat The Potlicker.
11
by Pete Rogers, Nashville Predators
January 15th, 2009, the Buffalo Sabres versus the Dallas Stars.
It was just another game for the Buffalo Sabres. The team was
in Dallas and was scheduled to fly to Buffalo
immediately following the game.
figure. You had someone who would take care of you, help you
out and tell you a couple of stories”.
I have had the privilege and honor to work
alongside Rip. As a 2nd year equipment
manager for the Rochester Americans, Rip
made the transition from the ECHL to the
AHL an easy one. He told me to be confident
in your abilities and work hard every day. Those
have been words to live by for me and a lesson
to learn for all in this business. He continues to
be a mentor to myself.
Buffalo defeated the Stars 3-1 that evening.
Immediately after the game in the locker
room, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff called
longtime equipment manager Rip Simonick
into the room and presented him with the
game puck commemorating his 3,000th
game. He delivered a speech about his
commitment to the organization.
I had the pleasure of working under him for 9
years in Rochester as well as during the 2007
all star game in Dallas. I will always cherish the
memory of that game and those 3 days I spent with him.
“I still remember meeting him at the little
rink there in St. Catherines” Ruff said. “Rip
was somebody you could talk to as a young player when you
were intimidated by the players around you.
Congratulations on a remarkable achievement of working
3,000 games!
He was really probably the first guy who made you feel
comfortable. It was almost as if you walked in and had a father
Tom Mulligan – Tampa Bay Lightning
Mike Poirier – Tampa Bay Lightning
Whether it is a plane trip from Tampa to Vancouver or a
bus ride from Providence to Worcester, there are always
several factors involved in planning for such trips. It is the
responsibility of a team’s Athletic Training staff to ensure that
all medical concerns are addressed while the team is away
from home. Although every Athletic Trainer tries their best to
accommodate the visiting teams in their city, you could make
the case that a team should travel with a mini-version of their
home training room. You never know if or when you will have
to practice at an obscure practice facility without the normal
training room set-up we are accustomed to at the game arenas.
will have an itinerary that tells us we have four games, three
morning skates, one practice and one off-ice workout planned.
From there, we will estimate the quantities of products that we
will use for each session. Although this list is not all-inclusive,
some items to consider packing for any trip are the following:
- Emergency supplies
- Braces/Padding/Splints/Mouthpieces for specific players
- Crutches
- Nutritional products
- Taping/wrapping supplies
- Medications, OTC and Prescription (making sure to have a
safe/lock box)
- Wound care supplies
- Modalities
- Rehab equipment (bands, tubing, etc)
- Two– way radio’s for communication
When preparing for these trips, the first travel concern an
Athletic Trainer should consider is the length of the trip.
How many game days, practice days, off days will there be,
keeping in mind that we all know that the “schedule is subject
to change”? For example, before we head out on the road, we
Continued on page 14
12
Dear Members of PHATS/SPHEM,
It is the hope of the Alumni Association in conjunction with
PHATS/SPHEM, that all members of the Alumni will be
able to access and use the resources that are available to them. Such as registering on the website as well as attending the
annual meetings as
Alumni Members.
We will continue to
reach out to former
members to write an
article for “Where
are they now?” in
the news letter and
hopefully, some
current members
will reach out to
former members as
well.
It has been an interesting two years working on developing an
Alumni Association. We were assisted by Anita Ramsay, Rip
Simonick, Ray Tufts, Paul Boyer and Yvon Chamberlain at
the NHL Pension
Society. It was
suggested that in
conjunction with the
Pension Society that
we do a post card
mailing out to everyone
on the NHL’s Pension
list. We understood
that we cannot access
the addresses that they
have on file because
of privacy issues but,
they agreed to do a
mailing on our behalf
to the retired members
that they have contact
information for.
We hope to have
as complete a list
by the meeting this
summer to pass onto
both boards at the
L to R,Jerry Maloney,Dennis Kovack,Dave Surprenant,Dave Smith,Mark O’Neill,Pete
We did a mailing in
annual convention. Demers and Mark Brennan.
the early fall of last
The list has been a
year and the response took some time to get moving. It was
pleasure to work on. It has contacted me with several friends
surprising that once post cards began to come into our office,
that I had lost contact with over the years. It will continue
they seemed to be arriving every day. As well, word got out
to grow as more lost members are found and others retire. to several former members which decided to E mail their
To me personally, it is not just a list of names and teams. It
contact information to us as well. As of a few weeks ago, we
is the history of two associations and its former members
were still getting the odd post card or E mail here. To date
and Alumni that have set the ground work for all the present
we have amassed over fifty former members and hope to add
members to enjoy today. From meeting in hotel rooms
more though additional contact with the new members of the during those first years to where the association is today. Both
Alumni Association.
present and past members should be proud of what has been
accomplished by PHATS/SPHEM and how the association
We will be sending a letter out to all those who contacted the
has enhanced the growth of all members as professionals.
Alumni Association to bring them up to speed as well as to
share the contact information of the association with them. We have already been approached by several former PHATS/
SPHEM members for information to use for contacting
former friends and associates.
Best of luck and safe travels for the remainder of the season.
Regards,
Mark “Peaches” Brennan
Alumni Association
13
Once you have all of your items packed in your preferred
mode of storage, trunks/bags/etc, it is important to properly
take an inventory of your travel items. With any travel these
days, you may be required to provide a manifest of these
items to proper authorities. Also, you have to take into
consideration how you will be traveling and what, if any,
restrictions you may have. Will your trunks fit under the
bus? Will an airline allow you to travel with trunks? Are the
supplies properly protected if they are stored in bags? With air
travel, you may have to weigh your trunks and bags to provide
the airlines with your total travel weight so they can properly
plan their cargo. Some airlines may have a per item weight
restriction meaning that you may have to separate items from
a trunk into several smaller bags or bins.
nowadays travels with a laptop computer and cell phone
for their personal and work related needs. You also have
to remember any forms or documents you may need, your
passport if traveling over the border, player emergency
information cards, and of course any specific items you use on
a daily basis in the training room.
For those of you who are fortunate enough to be able to travel
to Europe as we did this past season, there are an entirely
new set of circumstances to consider when traveling abroad.
Some issues you will need to consider include power adapters,
bottled water, suture supplies, hydrocollators, and sports
drinks. Although many of these items are supplied, there can
be significant differences between what is provided and what
we are used to here in North America. Fortunately, NHL
administration is a great resource and is more than willing to
help out in any way.
Another important part of any road trip is to make sure you
are properly prepared for any situation that may arise while on
the bus or plane. We would recommend everyone traveling
with an AED. If you rely on the airline’s or bus’ AED, make
sure to check that it is in working order before you depart.
Also, many of us use the travel time for treatment purposes, if
possible. You want to make sure you have a supply on hand of
ice bags, wraps, meds, etc that can be used on the plane or bus.
All of these products can be easily transported in a medical
bag that you can use on the bus or plane as well as at the hotel
where you will be staying.
There are many aspects involved to properly preparing for
a road trip. Once you get a system in place for packing,
it should go reltively smooth. We all know that no one is
perfect and there will definitely be situations that arise when
you are not prepared or forget to pack an item, which is where
our cooperation with each other and willingness to help out
our fellow Athletic Trainers comes in. We would always
recommend to every Athletic Trainer to treat the visiting
teams as you would want to be treated in their building.
Finally, you have to consider all of the personal and
administrative items that you may need. Most everyone
objectives. This project is voluntary, however please participate
if you can, it will help our societies document active members
in professional hockey and create a visual archive used by
the societies and their members for personal use. Shelly
will have a private link available on her website at www.
CASTOCKPIX.com where you can see the photos, order
prints and pay a special discounted member price of $15 to
download the original digital file to your own computer. The
2008-2009 sample book will be available at the June meeting.
Take a look and contact Shelly at Shelly@SCPIX.com to get
involved or ask questions.
Call For Photos From Alumni Members
Society Photographer, Shelly Castellano, would like to find
out if there is enough interest in compiling visual content of
our Alumni Members when they were working in professional
hockey. Preserving the history of PHATS and SPHEM is
very important and sharing the knowledge of how we got
to where we are at today and share some accomplishments
is imperative. Please contact Shelly directly at Shelly@
SCPIX.com or Call (714) 393-1800 to discuss how you can
contribute and vote if you would like to have an Alumni Book
created too.
14
by John Doolan, Bakersfield Condors
Almost everyone who has been in the game of hockey has
been given a moniker of some sort.
Boston Bruins and Tampa went by “Frosty”. I know from my
time with him and others will concur, that name had to come
from the ice cold one he always had nearby. Frosty joked with
Bobby Orr when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, “who
would have thought my liver wouldn’t have gone first”.
We all know players by their nicknames. If someone in the
business says JR we all know it isn’t the guy who got shot on
the TV show Dallas.
Shawn Smith with the Rapid City Rush was handed the
name “Stixy” from Steve Valiquette when he first started
working in Sudbury. At the time Shawn was a tall skinny kid.
So in the course of our careers we too have been labeled.
Many are just the dropping of the last few letters of your
name. In most cases it gets replaced with an “S”, “Y”. Or
there is just a shortening of our surname as in the case of
Jimmy “Pic” Picard in Tampa.
There are hundreds of handles given
guys over the years; Turk, Gunner,
Grinder and Tiny are just a few.
In Hershey we all know “Beaker” Hmm let me think about
that one for awhile. Long time
trainer and equipment manager
Larry Ness went by “Loch”.
Rip Simonick the long time
equipment manager in Buffalo was
given his name by his father. Seems
when he was a new born, he slept
more than the normal child, Hence
Rip as in Rip Van Winkle.
In my case it is either Dools or
Dooley. The later being the one I
least like. I believe it stems from
my youth when a Priest who was
a friend of the family made me
sing the Kingston Trio song “Hang
down your head Tom Dooley”. In
return my cousin and I got money
for ice cream. Looking back, that
wasn’t the worst thing a Priest has
asked for to get a treat.
Chris Garner at the University of
Minnesota Duluth was handed the
name “Crash” from the coach in
Houston upon his first day on the
job. It seems that during his travel
to Houston, he happened to have
a little meeting with someone’s
fender around Kansas City.
Mark Brennan known to many as
“Peaches” got his from a team party.
Story goes he got into a discussion with one of the wives that
started going bad. Judy came to intercede and was asked
“what’s up with your husband” to which she replied “yeah isn’t
he Peachy”. Doug MacLean overheard the comment and
Mark was labeled.
My first mentor in Pittsburgh was Kenny Carson who spent
10 years in the show before moving onto the Blue Jays. His
nickname was “Kit” in reference to Kit Carson of the old west.
Doc is a natural which was widely used in the old days to refer
to the Trainer. We had Doc Rose and Kenny Flagher who
were referred to as Doc. Speaking of Kenny, Doc may have
come from his choice of medicine. At our annual meetings
you could always bet that Doc would have a Dr. Bacardi and
sprite going.
A dying name is “Smokey”, what’s up with the health kick
this younger generation is into? The late John Foristall of the
15
This year’s Hall of Fame inductee is known to all in the
business as “Bearcat”. This is a name he inherited from his
father when he was playing hockey in Alberta. His father
would jump over other players and a local reporter gave him
the name. When Jim Murray was playing hockey in the same
town, the reporter gave him the same name.
Brian Garcia in Las Vegas is known as “Elvis”. This came
about from goalie Mike Puzak. Elvis still has the long
sideburns and Pompadour hair style.
Two fellows I cannot give you a nickname for are Pete
Demers and Peter Millar. I never heard anyone address
them other than by their first names. Thanks to all who sent
something into me. Unfortunately, we don’t have room for
all of the great names guys have been handed. Maybe next
time….