Photo: Whitby Fury athletic therapist works on a player prior to the game on March 1 at Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens in Trenton. (Photo by Amy Deroche / OJHL Images)

Article courtesy OJHL

Amanda Gilroy of the Whitby Fury is the 2018-19 recipient of the Trainer of the Year award in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL).

Whitby General Manager and Head Coach Rob Pearson calls the team’s certified athletic therapist “the glue” of the Fury.

“I’ve seen a lot of trainers in my hockey lifetime,” said the former Toronto Maple Leaf, who played 10 years of pro after three seasons in the OHL. “But Amanda goes above and beyond. And the boys just love her.”

Gilroy was introduced to the OJHL while studying athletic therapy at Sheridan College. She filled in for a vacationing therapist with the now-defunct Ajax Axemen.

She then worked for the Pickering Panthers from 2010-15, went to the Markham Royals then moved to Whitby later in 2015.

Gilroy grew up on the ice – but as a figure skater. She competed at two national championships.

“But now I don’t even watch skating on TV,” she said with a laugh. “It’s everything hockey now. I just love it.”

Gilroy probably doesn’t have much time for TV these days. She’s owned her own clinic, Breakaway Therapy and Training in downtown Uxbridge, for six years. A resident of Whitby, you’ll likely find her at the Fury’s home rink or at work.

The Fury defeated the Trenton Golden Hawks in a first-round playoff series that ended Sunday. They’ll meet the defending OJHL champion Wellington Dukes next.

“Fourteen or 15 hours days,” she said. “But it’s my first time into the second round in the OJHL so we’re enjoying it.”

That includes ensuring the players follow proper hydration and nutrition guidelines.

“It’s especially important in the playoffs,” Gilroy said. “The healthier you are, the longer you can keep playing.”

Her resume is highlighted by work at national championships and with a Canadian U20 team. She was invited by Hockey Canada to participate at the 2018 IIHF Women’s High-Performance Camp last July in Vierumäki, Finland.

Other large moments?

“It’s really nice when the players come back after they have been drafted or make the NHL,” she said, citing former Fury forward Devin Shore of the Anaheim Ducks as a prime example. “They don’t forget you.”

Amanda and other OJHL trophy winners will be honoured at a ceremony this spring.

Sasha Keulsh of the Mississauga Charger is this season’s runner-up trainer of the year.