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

With the Western Hockey League Playoffs quickly approaching, the intensity of play is ramping up. This last month, we encountered a few serious injuries that required the Emergency Action Plans to be enacted. In each case, the response was rapid, coordinated, and appropriate. This is a testament to the planning and practicing with our members. The WHL PHATS/SPHEM meets every 3 years for a rigorous hands-on First Responder course. This format gives the AT/EM from each team an opportunity to work and learn together. In addition, every year at the PHATS/SPHEM Hockey Summit, there are numerous opportunities to brush up on your skills and practice with new and advanced equipment. Every sports medicine team organizes and practices emergency response scenarios in the pre-season. With the increase in intensity and passion that hockey playoffs inspire, so does the incidence of injury. Let us all commit to honing our EAP before playoff hockey. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

Best of luck to all,
Rich Campbell, MSS, ATC, CSCS
Athletic Trainer/ Strength & Conditioning Coach
Portland Winterhawks