Athletic therapist and equipment manager, Brett Dale keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes for the North Stars, allowing the team to flourish on the ice. (Byron Hildebrand Photography)

By Martin Martinson

Athletic Therapist

North Stars’ Dale key piece to team success

Jan 12, 2021 | 1:02 PM

Early mornings and late nights, spent at the hockey rink.

That is perhaps the best way to summarize the average day of North Stars athletic therapist and equipment manager, Brett Dale.

The pride of Avonlea, Sask., Dale joined the North Stars late in the 2019-20 campaign, following the departure of Andrew Kutnikoff, who made the jump to the Major Junior ranks midway through the year.

For Dale, the position is something he seemed destined for, for some time. An avid hockey fan for as long as he can remember, he played the sport often growing up before then advancing to the officiating ranks to referee local minor hockey games throughout his high school years.

Dale said he’s always had a passion for athletics in general, with the post he currently holds serving as an opportunity to explore a few different interests.

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Ferland earns Grey Cup ring

'A wonderful human being': High school coach thrilled Logan Ferland is a Grey Cup champion

Nov 17, 2025

“Doing something with athletics and hockey was always kind of the dream, and I was also always interested in the medical field as well,” Dale said. “Sports have been an interest all my life; it’s my number one thing and if there’s anything I can do during the day with sports involved, I’m in.”

A typical day for Dale begins as the first one to the rink, generally about an hour and a half before morning practice.

Team laundry is often the first item on the agenda, along with getting fresh towels prepared for when the team gets in. From there, it’s on to skate sharpening and providing treatment for players in need, as they begin to arrive.

Once practice starts Dale is often seen looking on from the bench area, monitoring the progress of guys coming off of injury, or else helping to distribute new sticks or other equipment as needed throughout the duration of on-ice drills.

Following practice things tend to get busy once again, prepping ice baths, applying hands-on treatment where needed, and sharpening skates once more, often keeping Dale occupied until at least around 3 to 4 p.m.

Game days also feature additional tasks, such as getting things ready for the players around the dressing room (such as ice, Gatorades and snacks), along with any additional equipment repairs.

On longer road trips to places such as Flin Flon or Estevan, the drive home can exceed six hours, meaning the team will often not be back to the Access Communications Centre (Civic Centre) until as late as 4 a.m. the following morning. Even then however, Dale stays until the bus is unloaded (with the help of the players), and the laundry is then started.

“Game days can be long ones for sure,” Dale said with a laugh. “We’re at the rink from about 8 a.m. to sometimes early the next morning if we’re traveling back from the road, but that’s all just a part of it.”

After all, for Dale the long hours and time put in is made well worth it, as he thoroughly enjoys the process and chance to be around the game he loves.

“Going to work every day to watch the guys play hockey… it just doesn’t get much better than that,” he said. “It’s certainly lot of fun, and even when you have to stay those late nights sometimes after games, it’s definitely worth it.”

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season remains postponed for the time being, with the hope of a return to play this year. For all the latest on the state of the season and local North Stars coverage, stay tuned to battlefordsNOW.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1