Bulldogs hire former Maple Leaf trainer as team's sports scientist

The Hamilton Bulldogs have enlisted the help of one of hockey's most prominenttrainers.

Matt Nichol, former strength and conditioning coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2002-09) and Canada's 2004 World Cup of Hockey team, will be looking after the health, nutrition and training of the Bulldogs as their new director of sports science, the team announced.

He brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the Bulldogs.- Bulldogspresident SteveStaios

He said he'llwork with the team's strength and conditioning coach to help build a proper training regimento win now, but more importantly get the players ready forwhat lies beyond the Ontario Hockey League.

"ButI'm not here to fly in and save the day. There's no magic workout that can get them ready," he added.

"The most important thing is we take the time to develop a culture of excellence, and that they know when they leave here, they'll take the sessions with them to the NHL, the CIS (Canadian university hockey) or any other avenues in life outside of hockey."

And one of the first players to train underNicholisformerNHLer andcurrent Bulldogs president SteveStaios.

"Matt was the biggest factor to my success and longevity in the NHL. He brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the Bulldogs," saidStaios. "For me to be able to have MattNicholas part of this team is a great indicator to our players, staff and community that we are striving to be best in class in all areas of our organization."

A rapidly changing game

Nicholgot a teaching degree fromMcGillUnviersitybefore receiving his masters inkinisiologyfrom York University. He played football forMcGilland York and was picked for the Canadian University All-Star team.

(The Bulldog's) attention to strength and conditioning the facilities, the gym is better than what I walked into the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2002.- Matt Nichol, new Hamilton Bulldogs director of sports science

He never played high-level hockey, but broke into the game and began working with players at that level when he began with the Leafs in 2002 as their strength and conditioning coach. Nichol said the game has changed significantly since that time.

"When I first started, teams didn't have strength and conditioning coaches," he said."That's not the case now. Every team is employing a number of off-ice coaches and sports scientists."

And that's seeped down from the NHL into junior hockey. Nichol said he was amazed with the Bulldog's current support of sports science and nutrition.

"(The Bulldog's) attention to strength and conditioning the facilities, the gym is better than what I walked into the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2002."

This is Nichol's first experience working with an OHL team.

He's worked with elite junior hockey players individually, most notably the Edmonton Oilers' Connor Mcdavid,to get them ready for the NHL. But many of those players were already men, and not every junior player has developed fully by the time they enter the league.Nichols says he'll have age-specific regiments and nutritional plansdepending on the players' age and abilities.

Beyond Coaching

Outside of training, Nichol is also the founder of Biosteel, a pre-workout sports supplement for elite and amateur athletes. The company's current brand ambassadors include ConnorMcDavid, Dallas Stars' forward Tyler SeguinandCanadian basketball superstar Andrew Wiggins, all encouraging hockey players to "Drink the Pink," the company's slogan based on the drink'spink colouring.

Will Biosteel be a staple in the Bulldog locker room?

"I'd hope they'd drink the pink, but no it won't be mandatory."

The Bulldogs play three games in three days this weekend, visiting Kingston on Friday before returning home to host Ottawa on Saturday and Peterborough on Sunday.