Huskies women's hockey student trainers (from left) Teegan Krieger, Emma Link, Sydney Bromm and Jayden Lindholm. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

By Daniella Ponticelli

Life Skills Learned On The Ice

Student trainers key to Huskies hockey success

Feb 17, 2022 | 5:44 PM

Student trainers with Huskies hockey learn valuable skills from time management and communication — to how to walk on ice.

“We did a little tour around the ice before the season, just to make sure we wouldn’t fall,” said Teegan Krieger, a student trainer with the women’s program.

Krieger told HuskieFAN she wants to be a physiotherapist for a sports club in the future, travelling with the team as she has with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

“I thought that this would be the perfect program to introduce me to that, to see if it’s something I’m interested in and also get lots of hands-on experience,” she said.

It appears the fourth-year kinesiology student has found her calling.

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Even after pulling the longest road trip of the season, a 10-hour bus ride to Winnipeg in whiteout conditions, her spirits remain high.

“I was still excited to actually do an overnight, full-on trip with all the girls and hang out with them,” she said.

Reflecting back on her experience through the regular season, Krieger said her communication skills and hands-on techniques have progressed the most.

“Problem-solving with injuries has also improved so much and I just got so many extra tools that I never even knew I would need,” she said.

Student trainer Teegan Krieger helps equipment manager Dave Westbury at Wayne Fleming Arena in Winnipeg on Feb. 12, 2022. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

One moment that stands out for Krieger was a potential spinal injury that happened 30 seconds into a home game. An opposing player, racing to the Huskies net, collided hard with the boards.

It was the first time the student trainer had to go on the ice for a real emergency. She helped stabilize the player until EMS arrived with an ambulance at Merlis Belsher Place. The athlete was cleared of serious injury by hospital staff in Saskatoon.

“I’m proud of how we handled that because we practice those on-ice injuries, things that could possibly happen,” she said.

“Before the season started we had a few of the athletes dress up in full gear, even one of the men’s goalies, and we had to flip them on the ice. Make sure we’re not sliding them around.”

Krieger is graduating in April, and has applied to several schools for physiotherapy. She said if she isn’t accepted this year, she will return as a student trainer for women’s hockey next season.

“I love being part of this team. It’s like a family, and they’re always so nice,” she said. “It’s been a really great experience.”

Getting game ready

Taking care of athlete injuries is just one aspect of the job.

On home game days, the team of four handles locker room setup, bench prep and assisting with taping, massages and other athlete needs.

“The best way to put it, for us, is the first ones there, the last ones to leave,” said student trainer Jayden Lindholm.

Once the game is over, the group tackles team laundry. If puck drop is at 7 p.m. they are usually at the arena until midnight.

“They are phenomenal. They’re just life savers,” said Huskies equipment manager Dave Westbury.

Huskies women’s hockey student trainers inside their designated medical room at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

It also helps that Merlis Belsher Place equips student trainers for success.

“We have our own medical room. We’re lucky because it’s really spacious compared to other (teams’ medical) rooms,” said student trainer Emma Link.

The room, dedicated solely to the women’s hockey student trainers, features two massage beds and storage for their medical supplies.

For Link, who is also considering physiotherapy in the future, the experience has given her insight into team sport.

“I was always an individual sport person, so seeing the whole team environment, how they work off each other … it’s really cool to have that support and thrive in that setting,” she said.

Student trainer Emma Link travelling with Huskies women’s hockey in Langley, B.C. on Nov. 5, 2021. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

Sydney Bromm said she learned about the practicum through her brother, who was previously a student trainer for Huskies men’s hockey.

“For three years I heard about how great it was so I just decided that I would apply,” said Bromm, who travelled with the women’s team to Calgary in early December.

The third-year kinesiology student, who wants to become an ultrasound technician, said she’s learned so much from the physiotherapists and doctors involved with the practicum.

“We get to talk with them and ask them questions. So it’s a really cool environment and unique setup that we have that just makes this experience so much better,” she said.

Up next for Huskies women’s hockey is a TBD road playoff series for the Canada West Quarterfinals on Feb. 25-27.