It’s not every day that someone hits 1,000 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Red Deer Rebels athletic therapist Terence Robertson accomplished that feat on Saturday against the Calgary Hitmen after 16 seasons and counting with the team.
Robertson’s job is one of the most important on the team.
He’s there to tape up sprained ankles, stretch out pulled hamstrings, attend to various injury emergencies, but most importantly of all do what’s best for the players.
That also includes booking doctor appointments but overall his job is to help each player get back out on the ice as quickly and safely as possible.
Through over a decade and a half of work, he’s made endless memories.
“There’s so many memories over the years that I’ve had I don’t even know where to start on that,” he said.
Even though he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, you’ll often see him on the bench at all Rebels games and practices.
It all started in 2004 when Brent Sutter hired him.
He worked nine seasons before taking a four-year break from 2013 to 2017 while his kids were still young.
However, after Sutter called him in the spring of 2017 asking him to return, Robertson couldn’t say no. He’s now seven seasons into his second stint.
“I don’t think you know what you’re missing until you’re gone,” he said.
“When I was gone those four years working at the clinic it was great but then I covered for the therapist working here at the time. I did seven or 10 days and it got the juices flowing.
“I felt like it was something I wanted to come back to if the opportunity ever came up.”
Robertson’s efforts haven’t gone unrecognized by those affiliated with the team over the years. When he hit the milestone over the weekend he had former Rebels, many of whom are in the NHL, reach out.
Some include former NHL star defenceman Dion Phaneuf and John Persson who played three seasons in Red Deer from 2009 to 2012 before playing professionally in the AHL and in Sweden.
Some more recent players include Brandon Sutter, who recently retired from playing hockey, and Christoffer Sedoff, who’s playing his rookie season in the AHL.
“It’s great to hear from those guys and see they’re still following the team,” he said.
“It’s very humbling to realize that you’re still in their thoughts and they still think enough of you to reach out and congratulate you on a milestone like that. It’s an awesome feeling.”
Red Deer Rebels defenceman Mats Lindgren said on Wednesday Robertson means a lot to the team.
“He comes in the room usually before the games and he says a couple of things and the guys get pretty fired up,” he said.
“He’s great and I have a pretty good relationship with him as well. He’s a great trainer and an even better person.”
He found his passion through playing team sports growing up in Red Deer. He moved to Red Deer when he was 12 years old and went to high school at Lindsay Thurber.
When his dream of playing professionally ended, he wanted to get into a field where he could stay involved. He started his post-secondary education at Red Deer College before transferring to the University of Alberta. He also went to Mount Royal University in Calgary to get his athletic therapy certification.
“For me hopefully spending my whole career doing this would be awesome for me. I like being around the team through the highs and the lows. There’s good days and bad days but that all comes with it,” he said.
“The nice thing that I like is no day is the same… You can come in and it turns right upside down before you finish your day.”
He certainly has his hands full this week.
On the WHL’s weekly report, the Rebels have listed Hunter Mayo, Kalan Lind, Nick Andrusiak, and Talon Brigley all as day-to-day with injuries. Forward Jeramiah Roberts has also been listed as week-to-week.
With 1,000 games out of the way, Robertson doesn’t plan to leave any time soon. Who knows, maybe he’ll go for another 1,000.
“I’m still a young man and yeah and 2,000 seems good to me.”