Thompson Rivers tabs Osborne as team's new Trainer/Massage Therapist

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The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack hockey team will have a new face in the role of trainer/massage therapist when they hit the ice next month. General Manager Chris Hans is pleased to announced that Brandy Osborne has committed to that position for the 2011-12 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League campaign.

“I am really excited to be part of the TRU WolfPack and look forward to being a part of the process of them achieving their goals as a team and as individual players,” says Osborne, who has a long background in hockey and as a Sport Massage Therapist.

“I've played women’s hockey for about nine years now, I love the sport and it helps that I understand the dynamics the the game when I am working with each athlete,” says Osborne, who has been a Registered Massage Therapist for three years, a Sports Massage Therapist (cc) for two and a half years and a Sport First Responder for two years.

Osborne owns and operates the Kamloops Optimal Health Clinic on the Kamloops North Shore and has worked previously with both minor hockey teams and the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

“I started with the Storm in 2009-10 and have been the clinic of their choice since then,” Osborne explains. “ Some of my proud accomplishments include the Thompson Nicola event coordinator for the Canadian Sport Massage Therapist Association and Secretary for the BC Chapter of that same association. I also organized the Medical Team for the national Gymnastics Championships, the 2011 Kamloops Invitational Soccer Tournament and was Sport Therapy Co-Chair for the 2011 Western Canadian Summer Games.”

Osborne hopes that she can bring some good insight to the WolfPack program.

“The insight I will bring is the importance of enhancing and maintaining the athletes bodies and their ability to perform at an elite level. Prevention of injuries is my primary goal, to keep all players on the bench and performing at an optimal level. If injuries do occur, I’ll instil the importance of dealing with them in an effective manner right from the start. I’m hoping that working with each athlete will help them lead a healthy lifestyle off and on the ice and in the future.”

General Manager Chris Hans says: “We feel fortunate to have Brandy join our organization as Sports Therapist. She brings hockey specific experience from her days with the Junior B Kamloops Storm and her work with the Western Canada Summer Games speaks highly of her skills and abilities. “

Hans adds: “In addition to managing player injuries this season Brandy will work with our players on fitness, and injury prevention strategies. Brandy is a welcome addition to the organization."

Osborne makes her debut with the WolfPack when they open training camp September 7 th at Memorial Arena.