STANDISH — Athletic Director Brian Curtin has announced that Rick Burrill has been hired as the head athletic trainer at Saint Joseph’s College.

The stint at Saint Joseph’s will be the second for Burrill, who served as the Monks head athletic trainer for two years (2008-10) before accepting a position with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League.

He fills the position vacated by Neil Carroll, who recently departed to pursue other professional opportunities after working as the Monks’ head trainer for four years (2010-14).

Burrill, who is a Freeport native, brings over two decades of experience to St. Joseph’s, with most of his time being logged at various levels of professional hockey, including the International Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the United Hockey League and the NHL.

“We are very pleased to have Rick rejoin our staff,” adds Curtin. “Not only does Rick bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, but he brings the utmost level of professionalism. His high level of communication, whether it is with doctors, colleagues or studentathletes, is second to none.”

Burrill began his athletic training career in 1993 when he worked as an assistant with the Portland Pirates and Washington Capitals organization. He has worked in the ECHL for the Hampden Roads Admirals, in the International Hockey League for the Long Beach Ice Dogs, and was tabbed as the assistant trainer for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings in 1999. He stayed with the Kings for seven years.

“My family and I are extremely pleased and excited to be returning to Saint Joseph’s College,” says Burrill. “I have very fond memories of my previous time here and of the student-athletes and staff members I had the privilege to serve with.”