AMERKS HALL OF FAMER KENT WEISBECK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Longtime athletic trainer won two Calder Cups over 39-year career with Rochester
Sep 10, 2024Rochester Americans Hall of Famer and longtime athletic trainer Kent Weisbeck has announced his retirement following 39 seasons with the American Hockey League club.
“It’s hard to describe,” said Weisbeck. “To have spent 39 years of my life working one job is really something special. I couldn’t have done so without the constant support from my wife, Colleen, and my sons, Cameron and Hunter. The camaraderie with the players, the coaching staff, and the front office staff has made this such a great place to work. The organization takes care of you and makes it easy to go to work every day. It’s a great organization to work for. I’m just glad to say I live in Rochester and worked here.”
In nearly 40 years with the Amerks, Weisbeck has worked more than 2,500 games, won two Calder Cups (1987 and 1996) and has worked in the Calder Cup Finals on five other occasions.
Weisbeck was named the Amerks’ winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Person of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the organization during the 2021-22 campaign. Weisbeck has had to overcome several health issues over the last few seasons to continue his passion of treating and caring for the Amerks players, even amid a global pandemic.
He played an integral role the last few years in providing exceptional treatment as well as assisting in the administration and enforcement of the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, allowing the organization and league to continue operating in a safe and effective manner.
On March 10, 2019, Weisbeck worked his remarkable 2,500th game with Amerks. Prior to the game against Binghamton, the organization honored him with a plaque and custom jersey commemorating his career milestone.
During the 2016 offseason, the longtime member of the Amerks organization was honored by the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society/Society of Professional Hockey Equipment Managers (PHATS/SPHEM) with the Career Achievement Alumni Award in recognition of his dedication and excellence in his field. In August of 2016, Weisbeck was inducted into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016. Since 1997, a special section at the center of Frontier Field's Walk of Fame has been designated to Rochester's sports legends. These individuals (fans, players, management and media spanning Rochester's sports history) are those who have made a monumental impact on the community through their achievements in the Rochester-area sports scene.
During the 2009-10 season, his 25th consecutive year of service to the organization, “Snacky” became the first-ever athletic trainer in the 68-year history of the franchise to be inducted into the Amerks Hall of Fame. He was honored as the 48th member of the prestigious club, joining former Amerks head coach Randy Cunneyworth and Jim Wiemer as part of the Class of 2010.
Weisbeck worked one day in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, but the rest of his hours, days and years have been in Rochester. On Oct. 23, 2010, Weisbeck reached a professional milestone working in his 2,000th game. The team honored him on Nov. 7, 2010, with a plaque and fitted him with the first Blue Jacket, an honor bestowed to Weisbeck by then team owner Curt Styres as a testament to his personal milestone.
Weisbeck has twice had the distinction of serving as a trainer at the AHL All-Star Classic. His first time on the bench came during the 2000 All-Star Classic hosted in Rochester at The Blue Cross Arena. He was also selected as head athletic trainer for the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic in Hershey. He was selected by the American Hockey League based upon his many years of excellence and dedicated service to the AHL and the City of Rochester.
The Buffalo, NY, native graduated from the University at Buffalo in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education with a minor in athletic training. After graduating from UB, he stayed at the university to work as an assistant athletic trainer from 1977-1985. In 1985, he made the jump to the AHL and the Amerks where he would remain for next 39 seasons.