“I think I’m making good progress, am I not?” Nick hops up onto the exam table in front of me. He’s wearing a tight, sleeveless Black Diamonds tank and athletic shorts. He’s been more limited in practice since dislocating his shoulder during a game.
“You took a nasty hit, Nick. Let us do our thing.”
“I’m antsy.” As if to prove his point, he shifts on the table.
“Our backup is doing a good job.”
“I still feel like it’s my fault for every loss we take.”
I roll my eyes as I grab the cuffs to start therapy with him. “Spoken like a true hockey player.”
“Every shot that goes in is my fault.”
Hockey players are so damn stubborn. I should be used to it since my older brother is also on the team—how I landed this internship—but the egos never cease to amaze me.
“You could say it’s the defensemen’s fault for not blocking them or blame the forwards for letting the puck get away from them.”
Nick returns my eye roll with one of his own. “I get it.”
“I could even go so far as to say it’s the opposing team’s goalie for blocking your shot.”
“Ha ha.” His voice is dripping with sarcasm.
“Now, are you ready to get started?”
The training room is quiet with practice not starting yet, and a few players in early to hit the ice. Nick hasn’t been on the ice for a few weeks. With the way he landed on his shoulder blocking a hit against Chicago, it did more damage than expected.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
I attach the cuffs to his upper arms to help limit the blood flow to start the exercise. It’s relatively new. Something that my professor in school taught us as part of a new study on restricting blood flow to help athletes heal and recover faster than with traditional therapies.
This is the first time I’ve been able to see it in action. I love being able to see something I’ve learned about working in real life.
My professor who was in on the study said it was revolutionary for athletes. And with a boss who is willing to try new methods, I got to take the lead with Nick’s therapy under her guidance.
“Ten reps then take a break.”
“I can do more.”
“Ten reps only, Nick.”
“Fine.”
“Slow and steady. I don’t want you overdoing it. If you want to hit the ice today for practice, take it easy.”
“Really?” he asks, a hopeful look in his eye.
“As long as you don’t overdo it, Claire said you’re good to head back onto the ice.”
I take a step back from him, watching his movements as he goes. It all looks good on my end. I love seeing that something I learned can help someone recover from an injury.
Especially a professional athlete.
Nick finishes his set, and I take the five-pound weights from him.
“How are you feeling?”
“Good. Does that mean I can get back out there?”
