As late-summer hockey hirings go, this was practically autumnal.

Less than a week before Kootenay Ice training camp begins, the club announced the signing of athletic trainer Marty Palechuk to replace Brad Shaw. Shaw is joining Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League (see story, page 9).

Like Shaw, Palechuk (pronounced paul-e-chuck) is a graduate of the University of Manitoba. Like Shaw, he came highly recommended by the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

“At the best of times, it’s tough to find a qualified athletic therapist, let alone at this time of year,” said Kootenay general manager and president Jeff Chynoweth. “From our end, when this came about, it was a natural fit.”

The 30-year-old Palechuk got to know Shaw when they both worked for the Moose, and he asked Shaw to keep him in the loop about positions in the WHL.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to get into the Western League,” said the Smoky Lake, Alta. native. “I was very fortunate that he called me; he said the position had been great for him and was wondering if I was interested in the one in Cranbrook.”

Palechuk held a similar position with the junior A Drumheller Dragons last year, and was in the running for a job as an equipment manager with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies when Shaw called.

Given his degree in kinesiology and athletic therapy, Palechuk said the job with the Ice was a better choice.

“I’ve always had a passion for the therapy side of hockey. I think that this is going to be a great fit,” he said.

Palechuk had been a dressing room attendant with the Moose, and has worked for Hockey Canada’s U-17 Team Pacific as both head medical trainer and equipment manager.

He is in the early stages of packing up his home in Red Deer, where he’s lived for the past four years. Palechuk hopes to be back in Cranbrook on Sunday, while his wife Terri — a physiotherapist — will join him when the time is right.

The new trainer learned from old earlier this week when Palechuk was in town for three days.

He said Shaw hasn’t left him with very much to do, as lots of the ordering of equipment and supplies has already been done.

“From that aspect, it’s going to be a nice transition,” said Palechuk. “With that being said, it’s going to be very busy with training camp in the next few days, to get in and settle in and hit the ground running.”

He isn’t anticipating too many differences going from junior A to major junior, aside from the added travel.

Far from being confined to just one province, Palechuk will now travel as far afield as Brandon, Man. and Portland, Ore. this season.

“Coordinating everything is definitely kind of a new task to take on,” he said. “I know quite a few of the therapists and equipment managers already in the league, either from Team Pacific or the Hockey Canada program. It’s going to be nice that I’ll be able to rely on a few people.”

Palechuk is joining a very new coaching staff. Kris Knoblauch was promoted to head coach last month, while new assistants Todd Johnson and Jerry Bancks were brought on recently.

“With Kris being there for a few years, he’s seen the tradition and the way the organization run,” said Palechuk.

“With a new staff, there’s definitely the ability to set a new path and nothing is set in stone. We can all learn as we go.”

Palechuk was in a similar situation last year when Drumheller had a brand-new staff.

“I’m looking forward to it because I know last year was a real exciting time down there.”