Al Pritchard had a goal in mind and he simply wasn’t going to be deterred by anything that stood in his way.
Growing up in the community of Roland, roughly 100 km southwest of Winnipeg, Pritchard’s sights were focused squarely on the NHL — though as a teenager he envisioned making it as a player.
After suffering a knee injury as a member of the Pembina Valley Hawks U18 team, Pritchard eventually turned his attention to athletic therapy as a way to keep his original dream alive.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Massage therapist Al Pritchard was honoured by the Jets for working his 1,000th game during Thursday’s game.
“On the first day of massage school, I stood up and said I wanted to be a massage therapist in the NHL,” Pritchard said before the Winnipeg Jets faced the Colorado Avalanche. “You chase that dream and you thought that dream might not come to fruition, but it did. To stick around for this many games and be here, it’s really an achievement.”
Pritchard was recognized for reaching his 1,000th game on Thursday, surrounded by family and friends and feted for what he does behind the scenes.
“A lot of people probably don’t see the hours these guys put in or the time away from their families. Late nights and early mornings getting everything ready,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. “We joke around that Pritchy is the massage therapist by title, but he basically does everything. During the game, he’s in the video room. He’s always helping out with the equipment, loading the truck, unpacking the gear, you’ll see him in the gym helping out the strength guys.
“Whatever needs to be done, he’s always willing to be there to lend a helping hand.”
Along with his work as a massage therapist, Pritchard is known for his ability to lift the spirits of those around him.
“He always brings the energy, the positivity and the smiles,” said Jets forward Cole Perfetti. “He’s a great guy to be around. He’s always making you laugh and he’s always wired. He’s a fantastic human being.”
Morrissey remembers meeting Pritchard for the first time when he arrived for development camp in the summer of 2013 after he was drafted in the first round.
“He was one to break the ice and crack a bunch of jokes amongst the young guys and take you under his wing, if you needed to know where to go or anything like that,” said Morrissey. “From Day 1, he makes people feel very comfortable and brings that positivity.”
Pritchard isn’t just the class clown who is around to loosen things up, he’s got a good gauge on when to lighten the mood and when to simply provide a supportive ear to listen.
“He has a goofy side to him and an energetic side and when you think of Pritchy, you just smile,” said Jets centre Mark Scheifele. “He’s one of those guys who understands the schedule, he understands the situation and understands what guys are going through. What makes him so special is that he has a good way of approaching people with the correct attitude for the day.”
Pritchard joined the Jets for the inaugural season of the 2.0 Jets era and he’s become part of the fabric of the organization.
“Those guys behind the scenes are what makes the team kind of tick. They do a lot of jobs to make our lives easy,” said Jets captain Adam Lowry. “He’s got this infectious energy. You’ve probably seen some of the videos of him reading the starting lineups and the handshakes he’s got with guys going out before the game.”
Pritchard’s road to the NHL wasn’t an easy one, as he dealt with an incredibly difficult personal loss at the age of 18 when his brother Mike (who was 28) lost his battle with sarcoma cancer in his back.
Al also has dealt with two forms of cancer himself, of the kidney in 2014 and thyroid in 2019.
He’s got a clean bill of health, though his doctor continues to monitor things closely.
“I still go in for regular check-ups every year and twice a year for the kidney,” said Pritchard. “It’s good to know that you’re in good hands.”
Pritchard’s ability to maintain a positive attitude through the challenging circumstances he’s faced personally is a testament to his commitment to the craft and the gratitude he feels for having the ability to work in professional sports.
“You have the best job in the world. You’re in the best league,” he said, noting he did volunteer work with the Hawks in the Manitoba U18 AAA League, the Winkler Flyers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, for Team Manitoba and for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League before eventually making his way to the NHL. “I came to Jets 1.0 games and you dreamed about just getting down to the bench and giving a high five to Dave Ellett and all these guys. Now, to look back and say ‘I’m in the NHL and every day I get to go to work in the NHL.’
“Sure, there are going to be days when there are some ups-and-downs, but I’ve fought cancer twice and beat it and I’m still here to talk about it.”
As a memento to mark the occasion, the Jets’ trainers had a Bauer goalie mask with a personalized paint job made for Pritchard and Jets head coach Scott Arniel said the players chipped in on another gift for him.
Pritchard is also thankful he’s been able to go on this journey with fellow members of the Jets support staff, most of whom got their start with the Moose.
“You’ve seen four or five guys you work with that have gone through it and it was exciting for them and it was exciting for me because I did almost all 1,000 games with them,” said Pritchard, referring to head athletic therapist Rob Milette, assistant athletic therapist Brad Shaw, equipment manager Jason McMaster and assistant equipment manager Mark Grehan, who hit the mark previously. “You knew the day would come hopefully. I didn’t think it would be this exciting and this emotional.
“We were just talking about how many miles we’ve travelled in 14 years, how long you’ve been on a plane and how many beds you’ve slept in and you get a giggle out of it.”
Pritchard went out of his way to thank his wife Rachel and kids, Nicholas and Addison, for their efforts.
“It takes a village, for sure,” said Pritchard, who also appreciates the support of his parents. “You’re not going to take this job unless you’re married to someone who can handle this job. When I got offered this job, (Rachel) said ‘I’m not going to stand in the way of your dream.’ She’s been an absolute rock for our family.”
As the NHL looks to raise awareness during Hockey Fights Cancer month in November, Pritchard’s story is one to be celebrated.
“He’s had some major health challenges and shows amazing positivity as well, which is super inspiring,” said Morrissey. “He’s just one of the best people I’ve had the chance to work with in my time in the NHL.”
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Ken Wiebe
Sports reporter
Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.
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