Bulldogs Hire J.J. Johnson as Athletic Trainer & Equipment Manager

The Blackfalds Bulldogs are pleased to welcome J.J. Johnson to the Bulldogs organization as the team’s Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager.

Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Johnson graduated from Georgian College with a Fitness & Health Promotions diploma. He continued his education at Nipissing University where he graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Physical & Health Education in 2019 and became a Registered Kinesiologist. Then two years later, he obtained a Master of Science in Kinesiology also from Nipissing University.

Johnson’s career in hockey started in 2014 with the Rama Aces Hockey Club. “I actually began my career in hockey as a fluke,” recalled Johnson. 

“Between my first and second year of my Fitness & Health Promotion diploma, I obtained my personal trainer licence. A friend of mine tagged me in a post by the Rama Aces Hockey Club that said they were looking for a hockey trainer,” explained Johnson. 

“Me, thinking that meant they were looking for a personal trainer for their players, applied for the job and to my surprise, was hired. However, after just one week of working there I quickly discovered that being a hockey trainer is not the same as being a personal trainer. I decided to keep an open mind, try the job out, and here we are a decade later and I’m still loving what I do.”

The next season, he joined the Temiscaming Titans Hockey Club and then the Powassan Voodoos of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) the following season. Johnson worked 6 years with Powassan, including a season of working with their Ontario Hockey League (OHL) affiliate North Bay Battalion.

During his time in Powassan, Johnson also had the opportunity to work the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in 2019 with Team Canada East.

“That was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in hockey and I feel as though it taught me the level of professionalism required to be successful in my role. Winning a silver medal was pretty cool too, albeit the double-OT loss in the gold medal game after scoring with less than a minute left on the clock in the 3rd period to tie the game, really sucked,” quipped Johnson.  

Hockey then brought him west to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2022. He spent the past 2 seasons as the Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager for the Cranbrook Bucks before joining the Bulldogs for the upcoming 2024-2025 season.

Away from the rink, Johnson enjoys spending time with his family and friends, especially any adventure he can go on with his golden retriever Theodore. He is also passionate about raising funds for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Johnson enjoys his time on the golf course as it is one of his favourite sports. During his university days, he played his fair share of ball hockey.

The fit between the Bulldogs and Johnson was mutual, “The thing I’m looking forward to most about working with the Bulldogs is working for an organization with a culture of trust and respect. The ownership and management share the same values as I do, and that was an important piece to me in the interview process.” 

Welcome to the Bulldogs J.J.!