Oil Kings Hire Jimmy Mcknight as New Head Athletic Therapist
June 24, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings have hired Jimmy McKnight as the club's new Head Athletic Therapist, the team announced today.
McKnight, a Bradford, Ontario native, comes to the Oil Kings after serving as the Barrie Colts (OHL) Head Athletic Therapist and Strength Coach since the 2017-18 season, taking over from long-time Oil Kings Head Athletic Therapist Brian Cheeseman who joined the Edmonton Elks (CFL) earlier this month.
"It was important for myself, for my personal development, to find a great fit within a professionally run organization," said McKnight on joining the Oil Kings staff. "Also, it was important to my wife and I that it's a good city, so I had to find the combination of both and it was a very short list that obviously Edmonton was on and it all came together pretty quickly after that.
"I have heard so many great things about the Oil Kings organization and have had so many staff members already reach out to welcome Steph and I to the team and the city," added McKnight. "It's really meant a lot to us to feel so welcomed. We are looking forward to meeting everyone soon"
McKnight, 28, is a graduate of Brock University's Bachelor of Science and Kinesiology (BSc.Kin) program with honours. Following his time at Brock University, he attended Mount Royal University in Calgary to obtain his Post-Graduate Certificate in Athletic Therapy. He has also obtained his certificate as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Athletic Trainer (ATC).
Before joining the Colts, he gained valuable work experience while in Alberta and within the Western Hockey League spending time working with the Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Colts (CJFL), Team Alberta Soccer and with several professional rodeo athletes.
"We loved it out there when I was there for school," said McKnight on his time in Alberta. "Our plan was always to come back at some point, and when Edmonton was an option, I jumped at it."
"I'm familiar with the teams, the area, the cities but the one thing I never did as a student there was travel, so that's the only part I'm not quite familiar with yet and in the OHL the travel there will look like a cake-walk compared to the WHL", laughed McKnight on his knowledge of the WHL.
During his off-seasons in Barrie, McKnight worked as a strength coach at the Mind to Muscle Sports Conditioning Centre where he helped train elite level hockey players.
The entire Oil Kings organization is excited to welcome Jimmy and his wife Stephanie to Edmonton at the start of August when he begins his new role with the club.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 24, 2021
- Game Day: Second Toyota EHawkey Fan Challenge - Portland Winterhawks
- Oil Kings Hire Jimmy Mcknight as New Head Athletic Therapist - Edmonton Oil Kings
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