Hispanic Trainers Have Expanded Hockey Roles

Assistant trainer Gustavo Canals and other professionals are advancing across the AHL's coaching and medical ranks.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Hockey

Expressive sports illustration of a hockey trainer assisting a player on the ice, using bold brush strokes and vibrant team colors. — Hispanic athletic trainers like Gustavo Canals are increasingly prominent within the American Hockey League, reflecting the sport's expansion into new demographic regions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Gustavo Canals currently serves as an assistant athletic trainer for the Charlotte Checkers. His path reflects a broader movement of Hispanic athletic trainers gaining prominence within professional hockey organizations.

Why it matters

Canals attributes this shift in professional sports staffing to the expansion of hockey into regions with large Hispanic populations. This growing presence of diverse medical staff signals an evolution in how AHL teams manage player development and health.

Thomas Alva has served 22 seasons in professional hockey with teams including the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars. Meanwhile, Gustavo Canals is now in his fourth season with the Charlotte organization.

The players

Gustavo Canals

He is an assistant athletic trainer for the Charlotte Checkers who holds a master's degree from Shenandoah University.

Thomas Alva

He is the head athletic trainer for the Charlotte Checkers who previously worked for 22 seasons with NHL teams including the Dallas Stars.

Jaime Garcia

He serves as a head athletic trainer for the San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate and has worked in the sport since 2012.

Haley Cruz

She is in her third season as a head trainer for the Anaheim Ducks' AHL affiliate.

Jacqui Gutierrez

She was hired as an assistant trainer for the Hershey Bears in July 2026.

The details

Canals manages the daily setup of the rink and bench for practices while providing essential treatment and initial rehab skates for injured athletes. The organization also recently added head athletic trainer Thomas Alva, who joined the staff in September 2026 to oversee medical operations.

August 2022: Canals began his role at Lindenwood University.
2023: Canals joined the Charlotte organization.
2024-2025 season: Jaime Garcia began his role with the San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate.
July 2026: Jacqui Gutierrez was hired by the Hershey Bears.
September 2026: Thomas Alva joined the Charlotte Checkers as head athletic trainer.

Season Trajectory

The hiring of diverse athletic staff mirrors broader front-office shifts that aim to modernize the professional hockey ecosystem. These personnel changes follow the expansion of the sport into new demographics and support the long-term goal of diversifying the NHL coaching pipeline.

Professional athletic trainers are responsible for the injury management and recovery timelines that directly impact player availability for the Charlotte Checkers. Fans watching the team can expect consistent medical oversight during the season as the staff integrates new training strategies.

The takeaway

The increasing diversity of training staffs across the AHL marks a significant shift in how professional hockey organizations approach team support. As these professionals gain experience, they are creating a new roadmap for future staff entering the high-stakes environment of the NHL.