The Flin Flon Bombers have re-upped athletic therapist and equipment manager Jason Savill for another year. The University of Regina grad joined the Bombers last year.
“First of all, I mean, I loved it,” Savill said when asked why he was staying with the Bombers. “Just being around the team - the fans are phenomenal. Probably the best rink I’ve ever been in, and I got into some pretty big college rooms too. That’s nothing compared to what it’s like in the Whitney Forum.”
Savill went to school for sports management, and dreams of one day managing a team of his own. He’s got the chance to sit in with Mike Reagan and learn some of the ins and outs of running a team. “On the deadline day, I was just sitting in the office, watching [Reagan] call and get to work and see how the process is going,” Savill said.
“I’m fortunate that Mike’s kinda let me hang around and learn from that perspective. You can’t take a class for stuff like that.”
Despite a strength in a sports management role, Savill has had to grow into his other roles on the team.
“I’ve had to call some people for some help,” he said.
“Thankfully the athletic therapists I worked with in Regina were always there if there was something that I wasn’t too sure what I was doing. Now, I’ve support group, I can lean on them. They helped me grow throughout the years.”
Savill said he applied for his position with the University of Regina Cougars hockey team on a whim, and immediately knew it was the perfect spot for him.
“I just applied for it,” Savill said. “It was just a couple hundred bucks a month, but I figured “Why not.” Some beer money basically... I don’t even think it was three or four days into that job in Regina and I fell in love with it,” he said. “I think I have the best job in the world.”
Savill said his duties on game day can see him extend working time. He does everything from preparing the rink, to preparing the player’s bodies to get the Bombers ready to play.
“When I’m at the rink on game days, I can easily work 15, 16 hours depending on when I show up and what I time I leave.”
Savill got the chance to work with the Carolina Hurricanes when they played an exhibition game in Saskatoon. It was an opportunity born out of a strong work ethic and hustle.
“I’m always looking for ways to get better,” he said.
“Basically, what I did is, emailed every single NHL team, just asking them for advice. I talked to the guy from Florida for maybe an hour one day, and the guy from Carolina… they invited me up to spend the day with them, and watch the process of them, help them set up and take down and look how was your day and how they did it. It was an amazing day watching and learning.”
Savill’s experience with Carolina also gave him a new team to root for in the NHL.
“I definitely got to see a new side of that,” he said.
“They didn’t have to do that. For that opportunity, it was phenomenal.”
The Flin Flon Bombers will kick off their season Sept. 13 against La Ronge.
“I’m just excited to get back up to Flin Flon next month,” he said.
“Get ready for the season and ultimately bring a championship back to town.”
