Ruhmel Named ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year

ESTERO, FL. – The Florida Everblades are pleased to announce that Steve Ruhmel is the 2013-14 recipient of the ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, presented by Reebok.

The winner is determined in a vote of the league’s athletic trainers and equipment managers.

Ruhmel completed his second season with the Everblades in 2013-14 and oversees all aspects of the organization’s medical and training operations. Prior to joining Florida, Ruhmel spent two years as the head athletic trainer for the women’s hockey program at ElmiraCollege. In addition, the Land O’ Lakes, Fla. native also served in a similar role with the college’s men’s hockey program. Prior to his time at the collegiate level, Ruhmel served as an athletic training intern with the Tampa Bay Lightening of the National Hockey League in 2010. Ruhmel was also a student athletic trainer at University of   SouthFlorida, servicing the university’s football, baseball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer programs.

The 28-year-old graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Athletic Training out of the College of Medicine in 2010. He earned his M.S. in Education along with a Certificate in Health Services Management from ElmiraCollege in 2012. Ruhmel is currently a member of the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society (PHATR).

Reebok recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of ECHL athletic trainers and will award Ruhmel a pair of custom Reebok ZigTech shoes in honor of his achievement.

ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year presented by Reebok

2013-14         Steve Ruhmel, Florida Everblades2012-13           Bob Case, Cincinnati Cyclones2011-12           Mike Schroeder, Chicago Express2010-11           Kevin Anderson, Stockton Thunder2009-10          Bobby Walls, Ontario Reign2008-09         Bryan Rodgers, Dayton Bombers2007-08         Brian Grogesky, Reading Royals