The South Carolina Stingrays, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and AHL’s Hershey Bears, are pleased to announce that Head Athletic Trainer Julia Phillips has been selected as the ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year, presented by Warrior Hockey. The winner is determined in a vote of the league’s athletic trainers.
Phillips is in her second season with the Stingrays after joining the club before the 2024-25 season. Prior to joining the Stingrays, she served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Wichita Thunder during the 2023-24 season. The two seasons prior, she was the Head Athletic Trainer for the British Columbia Hockey League’s Wenatchee Wild.
Before her first full-time hockey job, Phillips studied at the University of Central Florida, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences and a Master’s Degree in athletic training. As a graduate student at UCF, Phillips interned for the Orlando Solar Bears.
ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year
- 2025-26 Julia Phillips, South Carolina Stingrays
- 2024-25 Nick Potter, Kansas City Mavericks
- 2023-24 Cody Lindhorst, Kalamazoo Wings
- 2022-23 Jordan Dutton, Allen Americans
- 2021-22 Tim Murray, Cincinnati Cyclones
- 2020-21 ECHL Athletic Trainers
- 2019-20 George Bullock, Indy Fuel
- 2018-19 Nick Potter, Kansas City Mavericks
- 2017-18 Matt Aiello, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- 2016-17 Cole Libby, Utah Grizzlies
- 2015-16 Scott McLay, Alaska Aces
- 2014-15 Brad Fredrick, Toledo Walleye
- 2013-14 Steve Ruhmel, Florida Everblades
- 2012-13 Bob Case, Cincinnati Cyclones
- 2011-12 Mike Schroeder, Chicago Express
- 2010-11 Kevin Anderson, Stockton Thunder
- 2009-10 Bobby Walls, Ontario Reign
- 2008-09 Bryan Rodgers, Dayton Bombers
- 2007-08 Brian Grogesky, Reading Royals