School to Career - New York Rangers - Athletic Trainer


		Treating a Player

The trainer for a professional team has the responsibility of working to prevent injuries, through a proper training and fitness schedule. He or she must also take care of injuries, which includes setting up rehabilitation so that a player can work his way back and return to playing.

Jim Ramsey is the Athletic Trainer for the New York Rangers. He is ready to provide on-ice emergency care if a player goes down with an injury during a game or a practice session. During the season he is on call for the team on a 24/7, or round-the-clock basis.

Passion for Hockey

Jim grew up in Canada, where hockey is by far the most popular sport. He received his Athletic Therapy Degree from the University of Manitoba and continues with an on-going Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania.

His passion for hockey made him want to be close to the sport. Working in Canada as an Athletic Trainer was the starting point and serving as trainer for the 2002 gold winning Olympic Canadian Hockey Team was one of this greatest accomplishments. A trainer can take pride in the success of a team because he or she knows keeping players healthy and avoiding injuries helps a team win.

What Should You Know

Besides learning about sports medicine, fitness and health, it is important to have good communication skills, which includes being a good listener and writing down (or documenting) the data gathered on each player's injuries. "Be upbeat, positive and have patience," says Jim, who also thinks that gaining practical experience as an intern or volunteer can be very helpful while in school. You might even volunteer to help the school team when they train for their games or work with the trainer as an assistant.