Sea Dogs Have New Athletic Therapist

The Saint John Sea Dogs will have a new Athletic Therapist for the 2013-14 season.

It was announced this week that John-Paul (JP) Laciak has been named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club’s new Athletic Therapist. Last season, Laciak was the trainer for the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior ‘A’ Hockey League.

"I am excited to join a great organization like Saint John, who won the Memorial Cup just two seasons ago," said Laciak in an OJHL press release.  "I am lucky to join a staff that includes Coach/GM Mike Kelly, and President Wayne Long has been nothing but welcoming."

Thanks to all for the congrats, and to @SeaDogsHockey for welcoming me so warmly. Can't wait for training camp and to get this thing going!
— John-Paul Laciak (@JPLaciak) July 24, 2013

Here’ some more info on him from the OJHL release:

The native of Malton, Ontario is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, as well as Sheridan College, and is a certified Athletic Therapist.  His career in the OJHL began in 2011, when he was hired by then Oakville Blades owner Carlo Coccimiglio and he has spent the past two seasons with the club, while also working this past year for the Blades' Team Doctor, Dr. Ben Fryer, at Dynamic Health and Performance (DHP) in Oakville.  This past season, he was also named the Trainer for the OJHL South Division All-Star Team that competed at the 2012 Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge that took place in Wellington, Ontario.  During his OJHL stint, Laciak was also fortunate to have done some work with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, working alongside their Athletic Therapist Paul Ayotte, where he was able to learn the ins and outs of the professional game, with an eye towards reaching his ultimate goal of the National Hockey League.

Laciak takes over for Jeff Kelly who, according to the Twitter of equipment manager David Kelly, left the team to do other things.

Have to say thanks to @jkellyAT for everything in his 6 seasons with us, he is like a brother to me and we are all going to miss him alot!
— David DK Kelly (@SeaDogsDK) July 23, 2013

With Jeff Kelly gone, that leaves only David Kelly and Mike Kelly as Kellys behind the bench. Times are changing, you guys.