Notre Dame Hound’s Team Medic Joelle Hydaman has seen a few things in her career.
She has worked in a group home for at-risk youth and is still a Medical Dispatcher for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, taking 911 calls and directing assistance where needed.
So, there isn’t much chance she flinches at a split lip from a high stick.
“Nothing could fully prepare you for taking those 911 calls,” she says.
“Talking with people during some of the hardest and scariest moments of their lives and yet being limited in what you can do because you aren’t there…I have nothing but respect and admiration for the paramedics I am lucky to work with.
Joelle hails from Naicam, SK, a town of around 700 people on Highway 6 just south of Melfort. Her late father, Arnold, was a successful entrepreneur, was involved with agriculture, and volunteered with the local Emergency Medical Services and the fire department. Her mother, Valerie, works at the hospital in Nipawin.
A servant’s heart is deep in Hydaman’s bones.
“I had the best role models growing up,” she says.
“My grandmother used to say, ‘Anything worth doing is worth doing right’ and would have given the shirt off her back if anyone needed it.”
“Caring for (the Notre Dame Junior Hounds) boys comes naturally to me,” she adds.
“I try to find ways throughout the year to make them feel special in even the smallest way, and I will always be their biggest cheerleader. Don’t get me wrong; I have high expectations for them…but I have been fortunate to work with an amazing group of guys.”
Medicine piqued Hydaman’s interest from an early age. She would look through her father’s EMT textbooks as a little girl, and when she felt ready to move on from the group home, it was a fast career move to Emergency Medical Response courses and beyond.
After completing that course, she was hired to provide medical coverage for wrestling tournaments, BMX races, and Motocross events. In this field of athletic care, she found her career passion.
After Covid hit, she was looking for jobs, and on top of the dispatch, she was brought to Notre Dame to work camps. That quickly became an offer last year for a full-time job with the Junior team.
“I jumped on the opportunity and haven’t looked back,” she says.
“The part I find most challenging is balancing a player’s desire to play and his need to rest or heal. Injuries affect them not only physically but also emotionally and navigating through recovery isn’t always easy.”
Two years ago, she and her husband Tyler had their son Tatum. These days, it is common to see him playing with his toy trucks and cars on the ramp behind the Jr Hounds bench during their practices.
“Being a mom is my first job,” she says.
“I always want Tatum to know he is my priority. My family has been great about accommodating our schedule, and between my husband, my in-laws, and other family and friends, we make it all work. Nothing could be closer to the truth when they say, ‘It takes a village.”
Seeing how much she enjoyed the work, Tyler obtained his qualifications, worked around ND in the training room, and filled in with the Junior team.
“Tyler and I met while working at the group home,” she says.
“We had to keep our relationship a secret from the kids, and apparently, we did an excellent job because they were under the impression that we hated each other. We were married in 2020, and in 2022, we had our son Tatum.”
Joelle and all the medics/athletic therapists in the league are so critical to our league and are most certainly a big part of Saskatchewan’s Finest.
“Joelle is an extremely important part of our team,” says Hounds’ head coach Brett Pilkington.
“She keeps the players on the ice and in good spirits. She brings a very positive vibe to the group and enjoys every day of her job.”
“I mean she’s always there for us,” adds ND defenceman Vincent Palmarin.
“She’s always taking care of us and our injuries, always got a smile on her face and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. She’s a big part of our family.”
