Two new CanElson Drilling Estevan Bruins staff members will be working behind the scenes at Affinity Place this season to make sure the players on the ice are well looked after off it.
Late last month the Bruins announced the addition of Dr. Trevor Erdie as the new team chiropractor and Bienfait's Dylan Lafrentz as the team's new head trainer. Erdie replaces Dr. Robert Kitchen, who is currently running in the Souris-Moose Mountain riding for the federal Conservative Party, while Lafrentz takes over for Jessica Slivka who has moved to British Columbia to work with the Summerland Junior B Hockey Club.
Clark Munroe, director of operations/marketing for the Bruins, said Erdie and Lafrantz are great additions to the organization as both are young guys with a lot of passion for what they do. He said Erdie is new to the area, but has been involved in hockey throughout his life and should bring a new aspect to the team.
“As far as Dylan Lafrentz is concerned, he's a local boy here, grew up in the area, is very passionate about sports and what he does and what he's involved with,” said Munroe. “He's going to definitely be a big asset for us as strength and conditioning training with the players. He'll be a big asset as far as knowledge with injuries and all that stuff as well, so we're very happy that he's on board with us for this year.”
Erdie moved to Estevan last year and has been practising at Royal Heights Chiropractic since September. He is from Chatham, Ontario, and has played hockey for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, the Western Ontario Hockey League's Chatham Jr. Maroons and the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Gananoque Islanders.
Lafrentz recently graduated from North Dakota's University of Jamestown with a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science. The local baseball fixture also possesses Group Fitness and Yoga certifications from the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA).
Munroe said Erdie will be called upon whenever a problem with a player arises, but he is not expected to be with the team full-time. However, he said Lafrentz will work with the Bruins on a daily basis and will attend all their practices and home games. He will also accompany the team on road trips, as well as work with the players on their strength and conditioning through a series of training programs and routines during the off-season.
“He'll be working out with the guys, making sure they're in good shape throughout the year, making sure they're healthy and feeling good,” said Munroe. “Rehabbing the guys when they need help with different minor injuries or what have you, so he'll be more involved in that regard.”
