Kirk Gibbons of Kincardine Bulldogs named OHA Trainer of the Year

The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) has announced the recipients of the 2018-19 OHA awards, and Trainer of the Year goes to Kirk Gibbons, trainer of the Kincardine Fairmount Security Bulldogs of the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL).

Gibbons lives in Tobermory, and joined the Bulldogs four seasons ago when his son, Hunter, became an affiliated player with the hockey club.

A well-respected member of the Bulldogs family, Gibbons has served as the team's head trainer and equipment manager since joining the club. He is a trustworthy, dedicated and positive individual who epitomizes everything the Bulldogs want in a trainer.

Gibbons always works with the player’s best interests in mind, and ensures every member of the team is prepared for every game and practice. In addition to his training duties, he has helped with team-building exercises and has provided nutritional meals at certain team functions.

“What can you say about Gibby?” says Bulldogs assistant general manager Mike Hackett. “The guy is phenomenal. He is the consummate team guy and every player loves the man. He sure makes game day exciting and interesting. Always cheery and joking with the players, he makes it fun. He’s a great guy.”

Hackett says Gibbons has been a godsend for the organization. “His passion for hockey and the duties that go along with being a trainer and equipment manager, are unmatched by anyone I’ve encountered.”

Gibbons has never missed a game and travels 160 kilometres (one-way) upwards of two or three times every week. He will often pick up players on his way to the rink to get them to practice or a game.

“I haven't had a chance to really get to know him like Mike (Hackett) and the coaching staff would, but from what I understand and hear from the players in the dressing room 'irreplaceable' is the word I might use,” says Bulldogs president Dave Patterson. ”This award isn’t just for the PJHL, it's for the entire OHA. This is a huge honour and well-deserved I might add. Gibbons is everything that optimizes a 'Bulldog'.”

The 2018-19 season was Gibbons’ final one with the Bulldogs as his son’s PJHL career has come to an end. The team has begun searching for his successor but “will never be able to replace Kirk, as his shoes are just too big to fill.”