Cranbrook, BC – Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager of the Kootenay ICE Hockey Club today announced the Club has hired Marty Palechuk (paul-e-chuck) as the fourth Athletic Trainer in franchise history. Palechuk, a 30-year-old native of Smoky Lake, Alberta replaces Brad Shaw who accepted a similar position with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League last week.
“It is never easy finding a qualified and experienced Athletic Therapist at the best of times let alone one week before Training Camp starts. Marty comes to our organization highly recommended and will be a key fixture between the Coaching Staff and the players with all the changes we have gone through over the summer. I would also like to thank Brad Shaw for his three years with the Hockey Club and wish him all the best in Grand Rapids, “ continued Chynoweth.
“I am very excited to be able to have this opportunity to work for the Kootenay ICE and in the Western Hockey League. I have been involved at different levels of hockey for a number of years and am looking forward to dealing with the elite athletes who play in this league on a daily basis,“ commented Marty Palechuk.
Marty Palechuk comes to the ICE after spending last year as the Head Athletic Trainer / Equipment Manager for the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He worked with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL in 2008-2009 as a dressing room attendant. Marty has also worked with Team Pacific as both the Head Medical Trainer (2008-2009) and Equipment Manager (2007-2008). He is a graduate of both the University of Alberta (Bachelor Arts Degree Physical Education / History) and the University of Manitoba (Bachelor of Kinesiology / Athletic Therapy).
Marty Palechuk will begin his duties with the Hockey Club on August 30.