NEWS

Chiropractor Brittany Boot of the Georgetown Raiders has worked with teams in the Ontario Junior Hockey League since 2014. (File photo by Dave Fryer / OJHL Images)

Health professionals across the Ontario Junior Hockey League are the backbone of our league and its 22 teams. That’s been especially true during COVID-19.

We’re profiling our own frontline heroes, division by division, this month.

Today: The OJHL West Division and the therapists and teams who responded to our survey:

BRITTANY BOOT, GEORGETOWN RAIDERS

How many years have you been a trainer or therapist? 

I started in 2014-15 in the OJHL with the Markham Royals while I was completing school in Toronto. 

Years with OJHL team?

I worked with Markham for three years and have been with The Georgetown Raiders since 2018. 

Why do you choose to work in junior hockey? What’s the best part of your job? 

Being able to work with elite athletes and watch them get to the next level and pursue their hockey career is one of the most rewarding feelings, knowing that you were a part of helping them get there. Working in the OJHL has created so many great memories and friendships. I think that’s one of the best parts of the job is the family you create with your team, not only the players but the staff. We spend so much time together during the season you become so appreciative of the people you have around you and the hard work everyone puts in for the goal of the team to succeed. Knowing that players trust you and having them reach out when they need something and knowing that you will always be there for them is one of the best rewards. Especially this past season it has been so vital to check in and make sure everyone knows that you’re always there for them no matter what they need. 

How has work changed with COVID? 

Working with the team during COVID has been different In the way of evaluating what needs to be done. Normally two to three hours before games or an hour before practice, I’d already be working on players. But this year, with not being able to have that extra time in the rink before practice time was really limited in what you could get done compared to normal. But checking in with players regularly even when we weren’t at the rink became a big part of my routine this year; just making sure everyone was doing okay. 

For teams that did not play how has practice changed during COVID?

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get any games in this year but while we were practising at the beginning things seemed to be tough and time consuming. But as the weeks went on it just became part of the routine. The players would check in before they showed up, than we’d screen them again at the rink. Just making sure everyone’s taking the necessary precautions and wearing their PPE. I was very lucky that our players knew that in order to get going and stay on the ice these were the things that needed to be done and that’s the only way we were going to be able to continue. 

Other teams and sports worked with?

I’ve worked with college/university programs in basketball, soccer, lacrosse and hockey. I’ve been working with various teams since starting university in 2010 in Halifax, NS. 

Qualifications as a trainer? 

I am a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic and am currently completing my Sports Sciences Residency with the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada). I have also completed certifications in Emergency First Response, Athletic Taping and Functional Acupuncture, in addition to other continuing education programs. 

Awards for work? 

This past season, 2019-20, I was honoured with the OJHL trainer of the year award. 

Day job?

My day job is working as a chiropractor while still completing school part time. I work at two sports-based rehabilitation clinics, one in Oakville and one in Burlington.