When Ontario Athletic Therapist’s Storm

SASKATCHEWAN MINOR JUNIOR ‘A’ ATHLETIC THERAPISTS 02/17/2014 4:00 PM

From left to right Amy Mausser, Michelle Beatty, Mark Hewitt, Emily Thiessen at the Saskatchewan Junior A Hockey Show Case in September 2013. (Photo: Michelle Beatty)

With the increased awareness and high demand for athletic teams to employ an Athletic Therapist in Canada, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has found itself five very hard working and knowledgeable Athletic Therapists from Ontario. All five therapists have graduated from Sheridan College Institute of Technology with an Applied Bachelor of Health Sciences in Athletic Therapy. The program is an intense four years with three years of those in clinical and field placements at various clinics and team locations. The Athletic Therapist’s from left to right: Amy Mausser is from Kitchener, Ontario. She attended Sheridan College, graduated June 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences (Athletic Therapy) Degree. She attended University of Connecticut 2011-2013 as a Graduate Assistant working for Windham High School as their Head Athletic Trainer, graduated May 2013 with a Master of Exercise Science in Kinesiology. During the two years she was also an intern Athletic Trainer with the New York Rangers affiliate team, the then Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League. Currently, she thoroughly enjoys working for the of the SJHL as their Head Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager. This is her first year with the team and will continue with the team to their success. Her future goal is to one day work on a professional hockey team.

Michelle Beatty is from Burlington, Ontario and currently in her second season with the Battleford’s North Stars of the SJHL. She has a Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology with a minor in Music from McMaster University (2007), and a Bachelors of Applied Health Science (Athletic Therapy) from Sheridan College (2010). She challenged the NATA exam in the spring of 2011 to obtain certification as an Athletic Trainer. As a certified therapist, Michelle has worked for the Guelph Hurricanes of the GOJHL, the University of Guelph as their clinical therapist, and with the Burlington Central Varsity Blues senior boy’s hockey team along with various football teams. She came to Saskatchewan to gain experience working full time with a hockey club as both their athletic therapist and equipment manager. Michelle strongly recommends this league for anyone looking to gain quality hockey experience. Her career aspirations are to work in the Canadian Hockey League, ideally closer to home, but she would be extremely happy working for any team across Canada. Ultimately she is working towards being the therapist for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Mark Hewitt is from Hagersville, Ontario. He graduated from Sheridan College Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Athletic Therapy) Program in 2013. Before working for the SJHL, he previously worked with the Six Nations Rivermen Senior B Team. While attending Sheridan College, he completed a placement with the Ryerson Men's and Women's University Hockey Team. He is currently the Head Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager for the Junior A Hockey Team of the SJHL. His future goals are to complete a Master’s Program in Physiotherapy and to work in a clinical setting.

Emily Thiessen is from St. Catharines, Ontario, after graduating from Sheridan College in 2010 with her BAHSc(AT) she concentrated most of her work with the St. Catharines Falcons of the GOJHL, and the Niagara Spears Football Club of the OVFL. When an opportunity to work full time with a team came up, she knew it was the right move. Emily took a job with the Kindersley Klippers, where she is the Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager. The job has allowed her to run the medical and fitness component of the team, which she previously did not have the opportunity. Emily says this has been a learning experience and has been difficult at times, but completely worth it. It's also nice to have Sheridan College represented in a number of teams in the league. Emily also recommends the SJHL to anyone looking to gain experience in a team setting.

Emma Galloway (not shown in the above photo) is a Certified Athletic Therapist for the of the SJHL. Emma joined the Hawks in August 2013. Prior to moving to Nipawin Saskatchewan, Emma lived in Brantford, Ontario. She worked for the Cambridge Winter Hawks of the GOJHL from 2009-2013, winning the Cherrey Cup Championship and Sutherland Cup Finalist in 2013. While living in Brantford, Emma worked at Mobility Orthopedic Rehab and at the Arthritis and Sports Medicine Center. Emma graduated from Sheridan College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Applied Health Science. She hopes to continue working in hockey and moving on to the next level.

For more information on Athletic Therapy, visit the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association www.CATA.ca, Saskatchewan Athletic Therapy Association www.saskathletictherapy.ca and Sheridan College www.sheridancollege.ca. Athletic Therapy is an amazing career choice to assist an individual in the athletic population pursue and accomplish their goals in sport and life.