By Bob Reinert, 10/24/25, 1:00PM EDT
Athletic trainers have done important work for USA Hockey’s teams over the years, but rarely do they step out from behind the scenes.
Jason “Serbs” Serbus had a brief moment in the spotlight on Oct. 21 when the Washington Capitals recognized their head athletic trainer and director of sports medicine for working his 2,000th professional hockey game. Serbus has also served Team USA at multiple international tournaments during his long career.
To honors Serbus’s milestone, the Capitals players presented him with an Alaska fishing trip.
“I’m thankful that I get to work with some of the best guys on the planet every day,” Serbus said. “We get to work for an organization like this that gives us all we have and to respect this great league. To come and take care of you guys every day, it’s an honor, it’s a pleasure. Thank you.”
Serbus started working as an athletic trainer in 1996 for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, a Division III program. He worked his way up from multiple professional leagues, including one year in Germany, before he became an assistant trainer with the Tampa Bay Lighting in 2005.
Starting in 2008, Serbus served as the head trainer for the then Phoenix Coyotes for nine seasons. He joined the Capitals ahead of the 2017-2018 season, the same season in which the Caps took home the Stanley Cup.
Serbus worked his first IIHF Men’s World Championship in 2009 in Switzerland. He then served Team USA at the 2016 tournament in Russia and again in 2017 in Germany.
“We’ve worked three men’s World Championships together,” said Stan Wong, a regular athletic trainer for the U.S. Men’s National Team. “He’s such a pleasure to work with. He’s very intelligent. He’s very humble, and I mean that sincerely. He’s done great things, and you’ve almost got to pull it out of him. He’s such a down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth person. I love Serbs."
“He’s fun to be around. He’s one of the first people I would ever think of if we have an event where we’re looking for an NHL trainer because he’s that good a person. He’s very likeable.”
To reach 2,000 games in a demanding profession that features long days, hard work and extensive travel is an impressive feat.
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Wong said. “He’s very good at what he does. Those who reach that kind of level — it’s such an elite club. They’re truly respected throughout the league.”
Wong knows what he’s talking about. In 16 years in the NHL, he reached about 1,250 games. He understands that good athletic trainers such as Serbus are versatile, team-oriented and resilient. They’re often called upon to do more than most people would expect.
“He’s always there,” Wong said. “He’s always willing to help you in anything you ask him for. He treats everybody the same. He’s a joyous person. It may sound corny, but it brings warmth to your heart because he’s such a good person.”
Wong noted that there’s no fanfare in working as an athletic trainer.
“It was never about us,” Wong said. “We’re there to support. If you’re appreciated by your coaches and your players, that’s more than you could ever ask for. That’s all you need.”
International tournaments of three-plus weeks can be grueling, both on and off from the ice. According to Scott “Scooter” Aldrich, manager of hockey operations for USA Hockey, Serbus’s personality made him a good fit on the support staff.
“It was always easy to work with Jason,” Aldrich said. “Certainly, personalities can clash, but I’ve never experienced anything like that with Jason. It’s always been good, positive. It’s a positive to work with him.
“You’re all business and you’re professional at the arena, but we also know how to loosen up, and we just enjoy each other’s company away from the rink, and that’s what I really enjoyed about working with Jason.”
Aldrich lauded Serbus and his ability to stay current with medical advances that benefit his players.
“He’s just top notch at what he does on the medical side,” Aldrich said. “There’s a certain amount of change and adjustments you’ve got to make as a professional in that business, and he’s been able to do it. There’s a lot of pressure that goes with that, too.”
Serbus has dedicated almost 30 years of his life to helping teams across college hockey and multiple professional leagues. No matter where he’s working, he’s always ready to help Team USA when asked.
“He always answers the call when he can for our national teams,” Aldrich said. “He just really loves all that goes with that to show up for his country for Team USA. He’s one guy that sticks out for me, actually, over the years, that has that real patriotism of what it means to come work for your country. And I’ve always really enjoyed that part of Jason.”
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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