By Brian Fairbrother 
Director of Performance & Head Athletic Trainer, Hartford Wolf Pack
AHL PHATS Executive Committee President 

The 24-25 AHL Season is in the final stretch of the regular season, and teams are poised to make a run at the Calder Cup. This season found our league mandating cut resistant garments to the neck, wrist, and legs, and agreed with our AHL PHATS/SPHEM group to adopt a Health and Safety Committee to address league related issues moving forward. I would like to thank all our PHATS/SPHEM members for another successful year.

This year’s AHL All-Star weekend was hosted by the Coachella Valley Firebirds at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California on February 2-3, 2025. This year’s event saw the Eastern Conference edging the Western Conference in the skills competition, while the Central Division won the 3 on 3 All-Star Challenge. PHATS/SPHEM members Brett Bernstein, Justin Broy, Shawn Thorns, and Justin Sommer represented the Western Conference, and Shawn Fliszar, Max Finley, Josh Carter, and Dillon Filepas represented the Eastern Conference.

We also witnessed the retirement of longtime Athletic Trainer Kent Weisbeck, with 39 years of dedication to the Rochester Americans. On November 27, 2024, the organization held a ceremony to honor Kent for his trailblazing efforts to our profession. Members of the PHATS/SPHEM group were in attendance to recognize this outstanding accomplishment. We wish all the best to Kent in his future endeavors.

With the conclusion of every season comes the opportunity to reflect on the efforts of so many that contribute to a successful season on and off the ice. I would like to acknowledge all of the Athletic Trainers, Equipment Managers, Strength & Conditioning Coaches, Team Physicians, and countless game night staff that contribute to the behind-the-scenes efforts to our players and organizations. We look forward to sharing the laughs again soon when we all connect in Orlando!