Mailbag #58: Doug Bennett

OTTAWA -Have you ever looked at the Carolina Hurricanes' bench and wondered, "Who is that guy with the mullet?"
It's not a Billy Ray Cyrus impersonator, nor a David Bowie wannabe, but rather one of the most important men associated with the team.
It's Head Athletic Trainer Doug Bennett, who joins us as this week's special guest.

What's the most fulfilling aspect of what you do on a day-to-day basis?- @asukhadolskaya
That's a great question. You know, just helping the players and our team achieve their goals. Hockey is their livelihood, it's their life. Players want to get back out on the ice after they get hurt]. They want to do what they do and do what they love. Helping them get healthy, go chase their dreams and hopefully win the team Stanley Cup in the process [is very fulfilling].
It's just really rewarding to see somebody there at their highest moment after you're also there during their lowest moment when they get hurt. Seeing them return is really rewarding.
***How did you get into athletic training? Was it what you always wanted to do?***
No, I went into college undecided and I obviously had a huge passion for sports and I wanted to work in sports. I met with my advisers, they did a bunch of tests, I took a bunch of courses to see what I liked and they basically told me I liked sports and that I had a passion to help people, so I probably could work in a medical field. So this is the merger of the two, athletic training.
**What would you say have been the most formative experiences in your career that have led you to this position? - [@EdTechCaniac
So, again, in college, I got started in athletic training. I got the opportunity to work with Penn State's football team, which I thought was a really cool experience. I did internships in the NFL, too. I was going to be a senior in college and the Seattle Seahawks flew me out to work their training camp, and I just thought that was such a really cool experience.
I really had a passion for working with elite athletes and then I spent some time at UNC-Chapel Hill. That's where I got my Master's Degree. I worked there and I interned with the Philadelphia Eagles as well.
All of the people, all the athletic trainers, all the mentors that I had that I've worked with in those places, they were great role models and great mentors. They helped me fall more and more in love with what I do.
What's the worst injury you've ever had to treat? - @CatherineMoxin / @HowieHandorf / @josh\_holdner98
I get that one a lot. You know, I always say as an athletic trainer, sometimes it's not an injury. It's a medical condition. And I say that because I did have an athlete, not with the Canes, who went into cardiac arrhythmia, so we had to use the AD on her and perform CPR.
So again, not an injury, but obviously a major life-threatening event. From a critical standpoint, that was the worst-case scenario, but all ended up good with her.
I also helped the Winnipeg Jets, who had a player lacerate his femoral artery a few years back, The amount of blood on the ice was unfathomable. I'll never forget that scene and walking out of the coming out of the locker room and seeing the amount of blood.
I've seen fractured dislocated ankles, fractured shoulders, dislocated shoulders you know so gambit of gross stuff, I guess you could say. I've seen it all, to an extent.
Are you numb to it all at this point, or are those events still jarring when they happen?
Numb I think takes away some of the emotion that comes into it. It's more of are prepared for it? And I mean, that's what we do in school. I don't think anybody is really, completely aware of the first time they're going to do CPR. It's just not something you're expecting that kind of thing but on the other hand, when you see it, and you get into it, you're like, well, that's just why I have to take CPR every year. I'm gonna say it's easy, it's not easy, but, you know, that's is our profession.
How tough is it to see the injuries transpire, like what happened to Max Pacioretty?**
That was tougher honestly than the triage and the CPR. I mean, tthat was probably about as big of a gut punch as I've ever seen in sports. That guy worked his tail off to come back and do everything that we asked him and it's still something I think about regularly.
From an emotional standpoint, that's something you'll never become numb to. You get to know the person, you get to know the player and you back to the answer from question one, your goal is to get them back out there and healthy and let them chase their dreams and do what they want. Max was so excited to get back out there and like I said, that was gut-wrenching. I mean, we won that game 5-2 and it felt like we lost a Game 7 in the playoffs that night. It was just crushing.

What's the freakiest freak injury you've ever had yourself? - @evanlucy
Knock on wood. I've been pretty healthy. I've had some sprains and strains along the years. My wife just tore her ACL skiing weeks ago. So she's doing great, comically. I did tear my hamstring racing a 12-year-old kid while doing some charity work for the kids in Community Foundation and their relationship with the Boys and Girls Club. And I did that about five days before my wedding. So, from a comical standpoint, maybe that one? I wasn't gonna lose that race.
What are the medical must-haves in your fanny pack? - @hatfieldvmccoy
You need scissors. You need a good roll of athletic tape. If you're going to work in hockey, you need something to control blood. You get a lot of cuts due to high sticks. So gloves gauze, something to clog the blood up with some Vaseline to make it nice and thick. Working to make sure a player doesn't miss a shift is kind of a rewarding thing and fun task, so I actually enjoy doing that.

How much do you love when your kids come to visit pre-game? - @hatfieldvmccoy
My kids are the best. They're my world. I give up a lot of time with them with the hours and the travel that the job requires. So those few minutes of being with them on the bench is special.
They are, as Tripp would say "Huge Caniacs". They probably don't even comprehend that they know our players' nicknames, and our players talk to them. I think KK thinks my son is his good luck charm. Maybe they'll recognize it or realize that when they're older that they get that experience something that people would pay huge money to do. I love that time.
What's the inspiration behind the mullet? - @asukhadolskaya
You mean the North Carolina neck warmer? It's pretty cold out there on the ice, so I'm just keeping it warm.
You know, my dad's a barber back in Johnstown, PA. I don't think he liked it at first, but I think he's warming up to it right now. I don't think he would admit that. I just kind of like to look at 80s music like 80s culture and I think it fits my personality. I'm business upfront, I'm very serious and take things very seriously. But I also think it's important to relax and have some fun and let your hair back along the way.
Not a member of Twitter? We're always happy to take questions at [email protected] as well!
Canes Mailbags are powered by Segra.
Worth A Click:
Canes Clinch Fifth Consecutive Playoff Berth
Mailbag: Aaron Ward
2022-23 Single Game Tickets
NHL Standings
Learn More About Season Ticket Memberships For The 2023-24 Season