Dec. 5, 2013
CHICAGO—Former UIC athletic trainer and alumnus, Mike Gapski has recorded his 2000th career game with the Chicago Blackhawks as their head athletic trainer. Gapski began his career with the Blackhawks in 1987 after serving as UIC’s assistant head trainer for three years and head trainer for the remaining two years upon receiving his undergraduate degree in 1982.
Gapski’s first-regular season game as head athletic trainer for the Blackhawks was on Oct. 8, 1987, a loss to Toronto at the Chicago Stadium. So far, during his 27-year career with the organization, five players have been inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame, three players have moved on to become current Blackhawk broadcasters and 383 players have skated in at least one game with Chicago.
The Chicago native has also been honored to serve as athletic trainer for the 1991 and 2003 NHL All-Star Games and for Team Canada at the 1991 Canada Cup. His great work has been honored with his name on the Stanley Cup after the 2010 and 2013 championship seasons. In 2011, UIC also awarded Gapski with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his success.
