When Dan Girard received the call that he had received the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Dr. Tom Pashby Trainer of the Year award, recognizing outstanding achievement in player safety and well-being, he thought he was being pranked.
After all, he says, “it’s what dozens and dozens of others have done,” in giving of their time and energy to volunteerism in sports.
But Girard, who received the award for his work with the U18A hockey team, has gone above and beyond when it comes to his 17 years of voluntary leadership, dedication, and commitment to player safety.
Dad to boys Evan, 21, and Lucas, 17, Girard has been a part of sports leadership in Leaside since Evan first began Learn-to-Play at age 4.
When Lucas was in Grade 1, Girard (who also writes for Leaside Life), took on the role of manager of his hockey team. He then went on to complete the Hockey Trainers Certification Program and worked as both an assistant coach and full-time trainer.
Off the ice, Girard also coached with Leaside Baseball and Leaside Soccer. In fact, after Covid, when Leaside Baseball was faced with a coaching shortage, the league asked Girard if he would consider helping.
Girard, along with his son Lucas, generously donated three years to coach a group of nine- and 10-year-olds.
In recognition of his years as a dedicated trainer and mentor, the kids on the U18A hockey team nominated Girard for the GTHL Trainer of the Year award.
Girard admits that “the fact they would take their time to do this for me choked me up.”
Head coach of the team Joel Kruzich has worked with Girard for the past 13 years and calls him “the glue that keeps the team together while always prioritizing player safety. Most importantly he was a mentor and a role model as our young boys grew into men.”
To be chosen as the trainer of the year out of 466 teams in the GTHL, Girard has clearly been an outstanding trainer and a leader his players greatly respect and appreciate.
