New therapist on job

The decision to promote Hildebrand had been in the works for quite some time.

Hildebrand began searching for a new athletic therapist shortly after the end of last season.

He knew Bulldogs play-byplay man Evan Hammond, who referred McDonald — a man that worked for Hockey Canada at the World Junior A Challenge last year.

The Toronto-born McDonald jumped at the chance.

“For me it was just the personality and the connection when talking to someone who really gets the sport,” he said of working with Hildebrand and the Blades. “He’s got a great background and experience both internationally and within Saskatchewan. It just seemed like a great family environment.”

McDonald decided to become an athletic therapist after losing 150 pounds while running hostels in England and Scotland. He wanted to “share the change.”

He then returned to York University in Toronto and got his kinesiology and athletic therapy degrees while working with the school’s rugby, soccer and hockey teams.

“There’s nothing worse than watching an athlete that wants to be on the field or on the ice who can’t because of injury,” McDonald said.

He will work alongside equipment manager Graham Watt.

Hildebrand takes over from former assistant general manager Jarrod Brodsky, who left the Blades last February.

Brodsky started with the Blades as an executive assistant.

For Woods, Hildebrand’s promotion is similar to when Craig Heisinger went from equipment manager to assistant general manager of the Manitoba Moose.

“I know it’s something that can work,” said Woods, referring to Heisinger, now the assistant GM with the Winnipeg Jets. “(Hildebrand’s) a guy that was a big piece of the puzzle for me to be able to do this job.

“In the short time that I’ve gotten to work here I’ve already seen the value in him. He just brings so much to table.”