Featuring Kyle Moore, Head Athletic Trainer, Vegas Golden Knights

PHATS: What made you pursue a career in athletic training, and how did you get your start?
KM: Classic athletic training story.  I was an athlete in high school, and I ended up getting injured a decent amount.  My high school athletic trainer was great at teaching me about the field.  I have always had an interest in medicine and how the human body functions. This aligned with my passion for sports, and I was hooked on the profession of athletic training.  I got my start in ice hockey by simply volunteering at a local ECHL team and building relationships. 

PHATS: You began your NHL athletic training career with the Vegas Golden Knights during their inaugural season in 2017. Can you tell us about the transition from working with an AHL team to joining a brand-new NHL franchise?
KM: Very simply put, communication.  The size of staff and people involved at the AHL level compared to the NHL is very different.  It shows how important communication is to keep everyone up to date and on the same page.  Building a culture in a sports performance team from scratch was a very challenging and rewarding process all at the same time.

PHATS: What advice would you give to an athletic trainer looking to advance in their career?
KM: Get exposure.  Seek out and keep relationships you build.  You never know which connection will be the opportunity for your next career move.

PHATS: What goals do you hope to accomplish next in your career?
KM: I hope to continue to develop my therapy approach to help mitigate injury at the individual player level.

PHATS: What do you think has been the most impactful technological advancement in your profession?
KM: Taking a dry needling course was an eye-opening addition to my skill set.  I hope to learn more about ultrasound and how it can benefit day-to-day therapeutic interventions. 

PHATS: Traditions and rituals are a big part of sports. What’s your game-day ritual or your lucky charm?
KM: I don’t think I have a lot of traditions or rituals.  I do always have the same number of gauze pads in my pocket and chew 2 pieces of gum.

PHATS: The hours, travel, and demands of the season can be intense. What keeps you motivated?
KM: Seeing the passion and commitment these players have to their craft is inspiring.  It is most rewarding to have a player progress through rehabilitation and see their successful return to play.

PHATS: Continuing education is vital to athletic therapy. Have you recently taken a course that had a big impact on you and that you’d recommend to others?
KM: This past off-season, I took a cadaver dissection course that was focused on dry needling and manual therapy techniques.  Seeing these techniques on a human body was very helpful for treating structures effectively.

All photos courtesy of Kyle Moore.