Between Two Benches: How a Rivalry Led Tom Orr MSAT '23 to a Career Helping the Next Generation of NHL Players

Between Two Benches

Tom Orr MSAT '23 has always been part of a team. From his high school football days to intramural sports during his undergraduate years, teamwork remained a constant. That passion for athletics led him to Pacific University, where he combined his love for sports with studies in biology and human anatomy, ultimately earning a master's degree in athletic training.

The rivalry between Portland and Seattle sports teams is known for its intense atmosphere and heated matchups. For Tom Orr, the new athletic trainer for the Seattle Thunderbirds, it also helped kickstart his career in the Western Hockey League. Orr's path to Seattle began in the Rose City, where he spent his final semester in Pacific's athletic training program interning full time with the Portland Winterhawks.
 

Tom Orr smiles on the Seattle Thunderbirds bench during pregame warmups.
Tom Orr graduated from Pacific's athletic training program in 2023, and capped off his time as a Boxer by working four months with the Portland Winterhawks as an intern. After graduation, Orr moved back to his home state of Colorado, where he spent just over a year working in collegiate athletics before returning to the rink in the summer of 2024.

 

Tom Orr stands next to equipment manager Ryan Campbell on the bench as the Seattle Thunderbirds warm up.Wide shot of Tom Orr taping a player in the visitor's medical room with two other players watching on.
Detail of the Seattle Thunderbirds medical traveling case showcasing the Thunderbird's logo and scratches on the surface.
The life of an athletic trainer in the WHL is full of travel. The Seattle Thunderbirds' regular season schedule runs from September through March and sees the team play across two states and three Canadian provinces. Seattle's 2024-25 schedule includes 10 games against Portland, giving Orr plenty of time to catch up with former colleagues.

 

Tom Orr stands next to a sign on the medical room door that reads "Visitors Medical Room".

Coming down here to the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum is always a little bittersweet having spent a full semester working here. The rivalry always brings out the best competition amongst the players on both sides but there's no doubt who I'm rooting for out on the ice, I'm definitely a full-time Thunderbird now.

- Tom Orr MSAT '23 

Tom Orr and a player smiling as Orr prepares a piece of tape for application in the Seattle Thunderbirds' medical room.
The WHL is one of the top developmental leagues in North America and gives Orr a valuable opportunity to help younger athletes grow both on and off the ice as they prepare to make the next step up to the American Hockey League or, eventually, the National Hockey League. Orr also provides a place where the players can refuel with snacks and drinks while taking a moment to relax before heading out to the rink.

 

A label on the Seattle Thunderbirds medical equipment that reads "Doc Blue".Tom Orr looks through his medical equipment in the visitors medical room with a row of hockey sticks leaning against the wall in the background.

Tom Orr is reflected in a wall mirror as he helps a Seattle Thunderbirds player stretch his hips.A wide shot inside of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon with the Seattle Thunderbirds warming up on the left and the Portland Winterhawks warming up on the right.

Ryan Campbell and Tom Orr seen from behind standing on the Seattle Thunderbirds' bench with players on the ice warming up and bright stadium lights above.
During pregame warmups, Orr stands on the Thunderbirds bench alongside equipment manager Ryan Campbell ready to provide anything the players might need on the ice.
Tomm Orr leans on the side of the bench during pregame warmups.

The thing that really drew me to Pacific's grad program for athletic training was the vast array of different types of clinical experiences that were offered. Personally, I'm a hands-on learner and these clinical experiences were a chance to apply what I was learning in the classroom.

- Tom Orr MSAT '23

Tom Orr stands next to Ryan Campbell on the Seattle Thunderbirds' bench while blurry hockey players skate by in motion.

Tom Orr talks with Seattle Thunderbirds player Ashton Cumby from the Seattle Thunderbirds bench during pregame warmups.A close-up shot of a Seattle Thunderbirds sticker on a black team traveling case.
Tom Orr reaches for tape from his equipment box in the Seattle Thunderbirds' medical room while a hockey player sits checking his glove and another player's skates stick up beside him.
After pregame warmups, Orr heads back to the medical room to help players with any final tune-up and taping before the game starts. His own preparation also includes checking his bag and putting on a team radio so that he can stay in communication with the coaching staff.
Tom Orr watches game action from the bench while standing beside players.A referee drops the puck between a Portland Winterhawks player and a Seattle Thunderbirds player to resume play as their teammates look on.
The Seattle Thunderbirds and Portland Winterhawks take advantage of a time out to drink water and talk to their respective coaches.
Orr spent his final semester in Pacific's athletic training program interning under Portland Winterhawks athletic trainer Rich Campbell (shown here on the Winterhawks bench next to Orr). It was Campbell who gave Orr a call not long after his internship was done to let him know that a position had opened up in Seattle, giving him a path back into the WHL. The relationship between Orr and Campbell remains strong as, at the end of the day, all athletic trainers share the same goal of keeping all players healthy, regardless of competition.
Portrait of Tom Orr on the bench looking to the right.Portrait of Seattle Thunderbirds player Matej Pekar looking to the left.
Photo of the Seattle Thunderbirds bench and Tom Orr watching the game as hockey players skate by in a blur.

My biggest recommendation for any aspiring athletic trainer grad students would be to take advantage of and try to get as much variety in your learning as possible and become comfortable in being uncomfortable. In this profession, it’s important to have a growth mindset. You’re always learning. The medical field is always changing. What is the current practice this year may not be the state of the art practice five years from now. So get used to pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and being adaptable to learn new things.

- Tom Orr MSAT '23

By

Thomas Lal
Athletic Training
Alumni
Class of 2023