This week the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) is announcing the recipients of the 2017-18 OHA Awards and today we are proud to announce that the 2017-18 OHA Trainer of the Year is Cory Birk, Trainer of the GOJHL Listowel Cyclones.

OHA TRAINER OF THE YEAR – Cory Birk, Listowel Cyclones
Cory Birk (Listowel, Ontario) has been with the GOJHL’s Listowel Cyclones for nine seasons and is the Cyclones’ Athletic Therapist and Trainer. Birk is a Registered Physiotherapist at New Horizons Rehabilitation Services in Listowel where he has worked since 2007. He has also served as a Therapist at the Hockey Canada Men’s Under 17 Summer Development Camp in 2015; Athletic Therapist at the 2015 Canada Winter Games for Team Ontario’s Men’s Under 16 Hockey Team and Team Ontario’s Women’s Under 18 Hockey Team; and is Athletic Therapist for Norwell District Secondary School, providing medical coverage for varsity rugby and soccer.

Birk graduated from York University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science with Honours, Kinesiology & Health Science and a Certificate in Athletic Therapy. In 2007 he received a Master’s of Science, Physical Therapy from the University of Toronto. He also has certifications from the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association as a Certified Athletic Therapist; the Ontario College of Physiotherapists as a Registered Physiotherapist; the Certified Acupuncture Foundation of Canada Institute; and is certified as a Sports First Responder.

Cory Birk is a very well respected member of the Listowel Cyclones’ staff. He is described as a gracious, humble, capable, hard -working professional who is universally respected and sought out in his community as a health care provider, and trainer.  In fact, Physician parents of players routinely comment that simply by being present, Cory assures everyone that on his watch, “the boys” will be safe.

Caleb Warren, Co-Captain of the 2018 Listowel Cyclones praised the tireless work of Birk, saying “he is always first to the rink and last to leave. He does not miss a practice. He doesn’t miss a game, he doesn’t miss an injury. This recent post-season, he spent countless hours reviewing all the video from the year and clipping the highlights, only to combine it into a movie that he would show to us before playoffs. Cory makes playing in Listowel a gift.” Warren added that, “the success and growth of this hockey program would not be where it is without his undeniable commitment.”

In the past two years the Cyclones have won two Cherrey Cups as GOJHL Midwestern Conference Champions and the 2018 OHA Sutherland Cup and Cory Birk has played a key role in those Championships, keeping the boys safe along the way.

The remaining 2017-18 OHA Awards winners will be announced this week and recipients will formally receive their Awards at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Friday, June 1, 2018.

For more information visit: OHA Website

Monday: Officials Awards 
Tuesday: Top Prospects
Wednesday: Trainer & Coach of the Year Awards
Thursday: Players of the Year Awards (Sr. AAA, Jr. A, Jr. B, Jr. C)
Friday: BJ Monro and Donald Sanderson Awards