Celebrating Athletic Therapy Month at OHA: The Team Behind the Team
June is Athletic Therapy Month, and at Okanagan Hockey Academy, weโre taking time to shine the spotlight on the incredible professionals who keep our athletes healthy, strong, and ready to compete.
Athletic therapy is more than just taping ankles or responding to injuries on the iceโit’s a specialized profession that combines clinical care, emergency response, rehabilitation, and injury prevention, all with one goal in mind: helping athletes perform at their very best.
Most hockey academies bring in athletic therapists only for game coverage. At OHA, our Certified Athletic Therapists (ATs) are part of our daily operations. They’re in the gym, at practices, in the treatment room, and at every gameโsupporting the full journey of our athletes.
Meet the OHA Athletic Therapy Team
Our in-house athletic therapy department is made up of highly educated, experienced professionals who are deeply invested in the success and well-being of our athletes.
Our Manager of Athletic Therapy, Nathan Hollinger holds a Bachelorโs degree in Kinesiology from the University of Regina, an Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal University, and a Master of Rehabilitation Science from UBC. Heโs a Certified Athletic Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Specialist with experience ranging from Junior A to the NHL, including time with Hockey Canada, the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), and the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). Nathan first joined OHA in 2017 and has now returned to lead our team.
Certified Athletic Therapist, Shelby Buss earned her bachelorโs in Human Kinetics from UBC-Okanagan before completing her BSc in Kinesiology (Athletic Therapy) from the University of Winnipeg. During her time in Winnipeg, she worked with the UWinnipeg Womenโs Basketball team during their second-place USport Nationals run and also completed a practicum right here at OHA Penticton.
Cheyenne Epp, our newest Certified Athletic Therapist, holds a BSc in Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan and completed her Advanced Athletic Therapy Certificate at Mount Royal University. After three successful seasons with the Kindersley Klippers (SJHL), Cheyenne joined OHA eager to help athletes reach their full potential through committed care and support.
What is a Certified Athletic Therapist?
Itโs important to recognize that Athletic Therapists are not the same as trainers. To become a Certified Athletic Therapist in Canada, professionals must complete a rigorous education pathway, which typically includes:
- An undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or a related field
- A specialized certificate or degree in Athletic Therapy from an accredited institution
- Extensive clinical and fieldwork practicums
- Successful completion of the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) national certification exam
Once certified, therapists maintain their credentials with ongoing education and professional development.
Supporting Our Therapists: ATABC
Our team members are proud to be part of the Athletic Therapist Association of British Columbia (ATABC)โa non-profit organization that governs and supports the work of Certified Athletic Therapists in B.C.
Membership in ATABC means more than certification. It means:
- Access to continuing education
- Professional development and job placement support
- Advocacy for the profession across sport and healthcare industries
- Professional insurance and referral networks
ATABC ensures that every therapist practicing in B.C. meets the highest standards for quality and safetyโboth in the clinic and on the field.
Learn more at www.atabc.ca
More Than Injury Care: A Full-Team Impact
At OHA, our therapists are a part of our athlete development team. They:
- Prevent injuries through mobility work, movement assessments, and education
- Provide on-site emergency care (all our therapists are also trained as First Responders)
- Manage rehabilitation programs and return-to-play protocols
- Collaborate with coaches, parents, and performance staff to support each athleteโs full journey
Whether itโs helping an athlete bounce back from a tough injury or keeping them strong through a demanding schedule, our athletic therapists are vital to our culture of care, professionalism, and high performance.
Join Us in Saying Thank You
This June, we invite you to celebrate our dedicated team of Athletic Therapists. Their work happens behind the scenes, but their impact is seen every time an athlete steps on the ice with confidence.
To Nathan, Shelby, Cheyenneโand every Certified Athletic Therapist working tirelessly in sportโwe say:
Thank you. We see you. We appreciate you. And we couldnโt do it without you.
#AthleticTherapyMonth #OkanaganHockey #OHAFamily #ThankYouATs #ATABC #AthleteCare #TeamBehindTheTeam
