Kelowna Rockets athletic therapist headed to Memorial Cup

“We have a long relationship”, Robinson told RocketFAN about the admiration he has for his BC Division colleague. “I was looking for some other guys to bring in across the league, and he [Hoyer] was first on my list.”

Hoyer will be working with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League representative [Halifax Mooseheads or the Quebec Remparts], taking on the title of ‘team liaison’.

“He better brush up on his French”, Robinson said with a chuckle. “He will look after anything they need. He will set up their room when the team arrives on May 24th.”

Hoyer is also being tasked with working with all doctors at the tournament as co-chair of the medical committee.

“More importantly, he will be there for support, and for me to lean on considering he has been to this event before”, Robinson said with relief in his voice. “It will be just fantastic to have him, and he is staying at my house for the entire tournament.”

Robinson has also invited Tri-City Equipment Manager Aaron Hoffermeyer, who will work with the OHL representative and equipment guru Brodie St. Jacques of the Vancouver Giants will help with the WHL champion at the 10-day event.

“When we put the team of equipment managers together, we wanted guys that had both athletic therapy but also had experience as equipment managers, so Scotty fits that bill perfectly”, Robinson added.

“It is a big event. A lot of things are going on here in Kamloops. As a visitor, you are in an unfamiliar city, so it is nice to have people that are familiar with the building, so I know we have a great group coming in to help the visiting teams. Plus, it is nice to give different guys opportunities like this.”

Robinson is in his 27th season in the Western Hockey League, with 17 of those years spent with the Blazers. Hoyer isn’t far behind in tenure, with the two most recently working together at the 2023 Top Prospects Game on January 25th in Vancouver.

“We had so much fun”, Robinson looking back at his experience with Hoyer in a game designed to showcase the top eligible players for the 2023 NHL Draft. “When I thought about it originally, I didn’t think Scotty would want to join me at the Memorial Cup, but then I said to myself, why don’t I just ask him? He talked to his wife [Trish] and said yes.”

Should Hoyer feel like a fox at a hen party considering he is employed by the arch-rival Kelowna Rockets, yet is working hand-in-hand with the Kamloops Blazers on the medical side of things?

“We are obviously competitive and want to beat each other, but if things go wrong on the ice, I know that Scotty has my back”, Robinson said without hesitation. “He knows that I have his back. We all train with each other every three years in Calgary on first aid and ice removal, so while we all want the best for our own teams, we are here to help one another too.”

Robinson admits when looking for equipment managers to join him at the 2023 Memorial Cup, they had to meet certain qualities beyond just a strong resume.

“For me, it’s personality”, Robinson explains why Hoyer is one of the best at what he does. “He is always positive. He has a joke or a quirky quote. To be honest, I am not far behind him in that regard. Scotty is a great human being. He is down to earth and in my opinion, he sees the world in many different ways. Many people get blinded out there, but he keeps his eyes wide open. He is caring, giving, and is just happy to be involved.”

In essence, the Rockets and Blazers with superb support staff, are coming together and working in harmony.

“I am excited to have him”, Robinson concluded. “Scotty will be really, really beneficial to having everything run top-notch here in Kamloops.

by Regan Bartel

Kelowna Rockets athletic therapist headed to Memorial Cup

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