UBCO鈥檚 head of athletic therapy is heading back to the hockey rink.

Jeff Thorburn, a former athletic therapist for the 琉璃神社 Rockets and Hockey Canada, is returning to the ice rink as one of two therapists for Canada鈥檚 national team that will compete in the 2018 Olympics.

Thorburn has been the head athletic therapist for the UBC Okanagan Heat since 2013 after seven years with the Rockets.

鈥淚 am truly honored to have been selected to join Team Canada for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games,鈥� said Thorburn, who has worked with Hockey Canada at various events in the past. 鈥淚t is always a special honor to be involved with a national team, and to be able to support and help the team towards our Olympic goal is incredibly exciting.鈥�

It was during Thorburn鈥檚 time with the 琉璃神社 Rockets where he was first introduced to Hockey Canada. Those impressions and connections were lasting because Hockey Canada came calling years later to fill the role for the national team heading to the Olympics.

鈥淚 would like to thank Hockey Canada for this tremendous opportunity,鈥� continued Thorburn. 鈥淗aving been on the outside of the hockey scene for the last few years, this was somewhat unexpected but I couldn鈥檛 be more excited to be involved with this team and these games. I would also like to thank the 琉璃神社 Rockets hockey club as they had the confidence in me to connect me with Hockey Canada many years ago.鈥�

The offer is one thing, but being able to move a schedule around and miss that much time with one鈥檚 family and work was something to consider. Everyone that he approached was encouraging and supportive of the opportunity. Ever the professional, Thorburn is very thankful to his family and UBC Okanagan administration for their endorsement and support allowing him to take on the job.

鈥淢y wife will be more than busy with our three kids as I get into this venture, but she was only understanding and encouraging when the opportunity presented itself. I am thankful to my family for being so supportive and excited. I would also like to pay thanks for the great support from UBC Okanagan, our athletic director and staff. Without their understanding and backing, this would not be possible.鈥�

Thorburn will utilize this opportunity to learn and further his skill and understanding of the many facets of athletic therapy, and bring those experiences and skills back to UBC Okanagan.

鈥淎lthough we will be very busy and dedicated to the task at hand, I am also eager to experience the Games as a whole. To be a part of the largest winter sporting event in the world and really, the largest multi-cultural event in the world as well is such a fantastic opportunity.

鈥淔rom a professional development perspective; to see the organization and set-up for a major games, to be able to work with such an experienced staff, and to associate and connect with therapists and experts from around the globe is truly invaluable.鈥�

The Olympic journey begins for the athletic therapist immediately as he joins the team in just over a week in Sochi, Russia as Team Canada

competes in the Sochi Hockey Open, and the Tournament of Nikolai Puchkov in St. Petersburg, Aug. 14 to 17.