Saturday night’s Kelowna Rockets game was extra special for one member of the staff.
Kelowna Rockets athletic therapist, Scott Hoyer was honoured by the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) Saturday evening for his dedication and service to hockey in British Columbia.
Hoyer was awarded the Larry Ashley Award, presented to a trainer, equipment manager or medical person associated with the game of hockey, that was either born in B.C. or given at least 10 years’ service to the province.
Hoyer has spent nine years with the Rockets, working with the WHL team from 2000-2006 and then returning to the Okanagan in 2013. The long time athletic trainer also spent two years with the Edmonton Oilers as their strength and conditioning coordinator, as well as an assistant athletic therapist.
The trainer has also served hockey internationally, as Hoyer was named the head athletic therapist for Team Canada. Hoyer has won two gold medals for his work with Team Canada, once in 2001 for the World Under-18 Championships and again in 2003 for the World Junior Hockey Championships.
“The British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) is very pleased to be able to present Scott Hoyer with the Larry Ashley Award,” said BCHHF founder, Scott Carter.
“Scott has shown over the years the same dedication to excellence for his players, teams, leagues, and Country that Larry stood for. Trainers, Equipment Managers, and Team Medical Staff do not get nearly the credit they deserve for the role they play in keeping our son’s and daughter’s safe every day and this Award is to help recognize that.”
Hoyer’s experience in the Okanagan includes five years with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, split between the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna and the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton.
The Larry Ashley Award is in memory of Larry Ashley, who spent 14 of his 16 year career as head trainer for the Vancouver Canucks.
Ashley passed away in September of 1995 after losing his battle with cancer.