The Edmonton Football Team have hired Brian Cheeseman as Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Cheeseman has spent the last 11 seasons as the Head Athletic Therapist for the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings. During his time with the Oil Kings, he has worked nearly 700 regular season games, 95 playoff games, and nine memorial cup games including an Oil Kings Memorial Cup Championship in 2014.
“He’s one of, if not, the best in our business,” said Oil Kings Head Coach Brad Lauer of the departure.
“He was a huge part of our group. What he did for our players, whether it’s the medical side, getting workout programs together, or just being there for our players to give them someone to talk to about anything, was huge. It’s bittersweet to see him go, disappointed to lose him, but very excited for this new adventure he’s going into.”
The Newfoundland native has been asked to work with Team Canada at the international level many times in his career. Cheeseman worked as an Athletic Therapist for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020 as well as representing Canada’s National team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2013 and the U-17 Pacific Team in 2021.
“I’m incredibly honoured, excited and humbled to have this opportunity,” said Cheeseman of his new role with the EE.
“It’s a new adventure for me in more ways than one, but one that I’m looking forward to taking on head first and hopefully some of these experiences I’ve been able to gain through my time with the Oil Kings, and junior hockey in general, will help that transition to football and a pro-sports environment happen smoothly.”
Cheeseman holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Memorial University in St. John’s, NL and a Bachelor of Applied Health Science and Athletic Therapy from Sheridan College in Oakville, ON.
