MINOT, N.D -- Like many things in life, change is everywhere. Whether it is a job, players on a roster or the political landscape, we see change among our everyday lives. It is often hard to find constant variables. This is coherently true with the Beaver hockey program, except when it has come to the healthcare provided by Trinity Sports Medicine. At the forefront of this partnership, one thing has stood throughout the many years, Robyn Gust and Dr. Dawn Mattern. 

Robyn Gust has been the main athletic trainer for the Beavers since January 2000. She has been with the program for a very long time and has seen it all. This comes with all that is good such as winning a national championship in 2013 and the bad such as many injuries that have come along the way. The unfortunate reality of the sports medicine industry is we often hope that their injury care services are never needed and wished they were relegated to just being a person just enjoying watching a hockey game. Unfortunately, hockey is an extremely injury prone sport. Many variables can happen resulting in the need for an athletic trainer, from small injuries such as sprains and strains, to complex and dangerous injuries such as fractures, concussions and spine injury care. Every time such an incident has occurred, Robyn as been there. 

The relationship goes farther than having someone watching over the players. It is a relationship enshrined in what is most important for the players. Robyn and Dr. Mattern have complete control over a player’s health, including full authority of the removal of any player for health reasons. Overriding any coaches or players decision.

It is a relationship built on trust. Something Head Coach Wade Regier appreciates. "Robyn knows our team through and through. Having her around the boys constantly, she knows them better than I do. She has the best judgement between if a player needs more time for rest or if they can play safely through a certain type of injury. Having been around the game for decades, Robyn knows the hockey. She can anticipate situations on the ice and already knows the correct action when needed. It is something we have truly depended on."

The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) mandates there be a certified athletic trainer at all games. The home team is required to provide this service to both teams. Often, teams traveling long distances making it difficult to bring an athletic trainer. It is a service Trinity Sports Medicine provides to many teams traveling to North Dakota. The Beavers hockey team has a similar set up in place on road trips. Especially key important road trips, where the games are crucial or its anticipated games will be more physical, the Beavers will bring Robyn along. In the past, this has been at national tournaments or key trips to Arizona or Las Vegas. These trips are vital for the program and by having Robyn there, has added to the success of the program. 

"Having Robyn come with us on key trips is crucial." Said Head Coach Wade Regier. "She can provide the necessary treatment or make the correct judgement on a player’s health, giving us coaches the best information. Having her on these trips is a huge asset for our team. It has added to the success of our program, while providing the best service to the players."

It is not just making the injury decisions that are so important to when Robyn is able to travel with the Beaver hockey trips. Having the immediate care for the injuries for the entire trip and not having to wait to start treatment instead of the two-to-three days when the team returns to Minot. It helps get the hockey players back to playing much quicker.

The Beavers hockey team has appreciated the relationship with Trinity Sports Medicine, Dr. Mattern and Robyn Gust and look forward to the relationship in the future.