Meet MAINEiacs Athletic Trainer Brian Morrison

January 12, 2011 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


There were stops in between, but MAINEiacs Athletic Trainer Brian Morrison is back at home in Maine. Married this past June in Presque Isle, Brian resides with wife Brittany (Cronin) Morrison in Lewiston. Brian attended University of Maine at Presque Isle for his bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and became certified as an Athletic Trainer in Fall 2008. He spent a season with our Halifax competition, the Mooseheads, after graduation, and he did field work with the Moncton Wildcats while in university. In tandem with Dr. Paul Cain's recent interview, Brian took time to give us the low down on his role behind the bench.

Q: First of all, tell us about your interests and about your family.

A: My family all resides in Nova Scotia, from New Glasgow to Halifax. I enjoy any kind of physical activity and have been involved in sports my whole life. I knew after high school I wanted to stay involved in sports, and being an Athletic Trainer was the best option. I played baseball for the U-Maine Presque Isle team for four years.

Q: What are your primary responsibilities during games Do these change depending on whether it's a home or road game

A: I prepare the players - injured, rehabbing, or even healthy - for games through physical activity, dynamic stretching and warm-up, treatments, or therapy. I also need to be aware of any acute injuries or emergency situations that may happen on the ice during a game so that the correct precautions and protocol can be followed. There is more to do on road game days, because all of our equipment and supplies have to be set up in another rink. Equipment Manager Matt Flaherty does an extremely good job of making sure everything is where it needs to be while on the road. The benefit of a road game is having the whole team in one hotel, which gives me easier access to them for pre and post game treatments.

Q: What injuries do you most hate to see from the bench and why

A: I hate to see any of my players sustain an injury during a game, but my most hated injury is a concussion. Head injuries are very serious and have to be handled in a delicate manner. What I always tell my players when rehabbing and returning to play after experiencing a concussion is this: you can have any part of your body repaired, except your brain, so there is no reason to rush things to get back in the lineup.

Q: Do you attend all MAINEiacs practices as well

A: During the season, I basically live at the rink! I am here all day until practice, so that players can get their treatments before and after practice.

Q: Do the guys ever play any tricks/pranks on you

A: The most vulnerable time to get pranked is on the road, either on the bus or in the hotel. A few times my hotel room has become victim of a "tornado," which is when all of your furniture - including your bed and TV - gets changed around.

Q: What is your a) typical game day schedule and b) typical non-game day schedule

A: Game Day - I arrive at the rink 3 hours before a morning skate with the equipment manager. I go over any paperwork that needs to be done for that day and get my treatment schedule ready for before and after the morning skate. After the players leave, I go home for a few hours to relax, and it's back to the rink about 4 hours before the game to do it all over again! After a game, I reflect on the game, any injuries, and I send injury reports to all of our Coaches, Managers and Owner. Non-Game day - It's a little less intense, with a lot of cleaning and also paperwork to get done. Everything I do has to be recorded, so that if a player gets traded or an incident happens, I have the correct documentation to support it for future reference.

Q: What kind of pre or post game treatments do players receive

A: It all depends on the injuries. The first half of the season was quite busy for me, but I will never back down from a challenge. Our schedule is very demanding and takes a toll on the players both physically and mentally. There are a lot of sore muscles, bumps and bruises. My best pre-game treatment is a lower body stretch. Keeping the guys loose and limber is something that has to be taken seriously, so that they're game ready.

Q: What else should fans know about your job as Athletic Trainer

A: Along with managing injuries, treatments, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning programs, a budget, and paperwork, I always encourage education. I try my best to educate the players on good hygiene, nutrition habits, conditioning regimens, and injury prevention. We want to ensure when players leave here and move on to different chapters in their lives, they use the same principles that we teach them here.

Congratulations on your marriage and on your third season in the Q! Glad to have you here - with the BEST Q team! - Sarah Alto



Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2011


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