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Nelson's Doug Agnew joins NHL's Nashville Predators training staff

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
October 4th, 2021

L.V. Rogers graduate Doug Agnew has finally made the jump to the National Hockey League.

The Nelson native recently joined the Nashville Predators medical staff after 32 seasons as athletics trainer for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.

“Well, after 32 seasons, 2,487 regular season games and many more playoff games, I’m finally hitting that “Road,” as I am leaving the Admirals for a position on the Nashville Predators’ medical staff,” Agnew said on the Admirals team website.

Agnew, who was raised in Nelson and attended Trafalgar and L.V. Rogers High Schools, has been the Athletic Trainer for the Admirals since 1989 when he was assigned to the team as a member of the Vancouver Canucks organization.

AHL Milwaukee Admirals honour Nelson's Doug Agnew

Agnew attended college at Eastern Washington University and Selkirk College in Castlegar before receiving a degree in athletic training from Sheridan College in Ontario in 1985.

Agnew spent time with the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League where another Nelsonite, Wayne Naka, was head coach, and with the Canadian National Lacrosse and Soccer teams before joining the Admirals.

“It’s no secret, I am fortunate to have the four essential ingredients for a long and happy career,” Agnew said when asked why he remained with the Admirals for most of his career.

“First and foremost, a loving, supportive family. My wife Melanie and I have raised three great children, Lauren, Lindsey, and Sandon, during my Admirals tenure, who, like me, are all now out creating their own successes. Second, I love the job. Third, I love Milwaukee, and fourth, I love of the people I work with.”

Agnew said the offer to join the Predators came during the summer from Predators Assistant GM Brian Poile that has allowed him to achieve my career dream to work in the NHL.

“I will certainly miss many things about Milwaukee on my new endeavor,” Agnew said.

“I want to give a huge shout out to the medical professionals that help on game nights, always giving their valuable time to the players.”

Agnew said he will miss the city of Milwaukee that has changed so much over the years and the comforts of a training room he helped design as well as the many friendships in the front office.

“Thank you, everyone, for the respect you’ve shown me,” Agnew said.

“I would also like to wish the whole Admirals organization the very best of luck for the future and, whenever anyone wants to talk 32 years of Admirals Hockey, I’m just up the “Road”.

Nelson native Doug Agnew assists one of the Admirals on the ice during an American Hockey League game. — Submitted photo

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