Tigers athletic therapist and equipment manager Lanuk reaches 1,500-game plateau

Mikki Lanuk of the Medicine Hat Tigers is the latest long-serving athletic therapist and equipment manager to reach the 1,500-game mark in the Western Hockey League.

Lanuk, who started his career as a WHL therapist with the Kamloops Blazers, worked his 1,500th game Saturday night as the Medicine Hat Tigers recorded a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Hitmen.

The WHL will honour Lanuk with the WHL Milestone Award later this season. The WHL Milestone Award is presented to WHL players, coaches, trainers, officials, and WHL Championship teams for their outstanding achievements.

The 2001-02 season represented Lanuk’s first in the WHL as he joined the Blazers staff as athletic therapist, working alongside legendary Kamloops equipment manager Greg “Spike” Wallace. Lanuk remained on the Blazers staff through the 2004-05 season.

Ahead of the 2005-06 campaign, Lanuk was hired by the Tigers as Athletic Therapist and Equipment Manager. He has been a mainstay in the Gas City ever since.

Over the course of his career, Lanuk has enjoyed great success, including winning a WHL Championship with the Tigers in 2007.

Internationally, Lanuk has served his country at numerous events, including winning gold with Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.

1500 games and counting!

We’d like to once again send out a huge congratulations to Athletic Therapist & Equipment Manager Mikki Lanuk who celebrated his 1500th Game this past weekend during our home opener! pic.twitter.com/6AiGL4kYMy

— Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) September 25, 2023