By Rich Campbell, Athletic Trainer & Strength and Conditioning Coach, Portland Winterhawks

The Western Hockey League’s AT’s and EQM’s began the 2022-23 pre-season in Calgary attending the WHL Red Cross/Sports First Responder BLS Certification Course.  This was an intensive 3 full days of hands-on training followed by a three-hour CLOSED BOOK 328 multiple choice exam with a passing grade of 75%.  A grueling experience, but we all gained some character points for living to tell the story.   

COVID-19 continues to have an impact on PHATS/SPHEM milestone recipients. Games worked lost at the end of the 2019-20 season as well as the shortened 2020-21 season has delayed the honors for members.  However, Duane “Puff” Bartley of the Prince Albert Raiders endured the postponements and will achieve 1500 games worked this season! 

Several WHL PHATS/SPHEM members will represent Hockey Canada this season including at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge in Langley, BC in November. PHATS member JT Ward (Victoria Royals) and SPHEM member Clayton Johns (Portland Winterhawks) will represent Team White; representing Team Red is PHATS member Jimmy McKnight (Edmonton Oil King) while SPHEM member Spencer Stehouwer (Saskatoon Blades) will be with Team Black. Additionally, SPHEM member Gord “Hooner” Cochran (Regina Pats) will be an Equipment Manager with Team Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship in Halifax and Moncton. Congratulations and good luck to all that are going for Gold! 

Let the quest for The Ed Chynoweth Cup begin!