From Sidelines to Recovery: Shannon Howe’s Essential Off-Season Transition with the Regina Thunder

queencitysportsmas
Nov 10, 2025
2 min read

Shannon Howe, a dedicated massage therapist and co-founder of Queen City Sports Massage and Associates, is now transitioning into her essential off-season role with the Regina Thunder following the team’s heart-stopping elimination in the Prairie Football Conference final, which dashed hopes of a Canadian Bowl appearance this year. Even in defeat, the Thunder’s 2025 season remains a testament to collective grit, skill, and countless unseen hours spent keeping athletes healthy and game-ready.

Season of Excellence

The Regina Thunder thrilled fans all season, delivering gritty performances and remarkable wins, including decisive victories over teams like the Calgary Colts and Edmonton Huskies. The squad navigated tough matchups, clinched nail-biting wins, and battled fiercely through the playoffs, ultimately falling to the Saskatoon Hilltops in an overtime classic that showcased just how close the margins are at this level. Throughout every contest, players relied on athletic medical support—a safety net woven by experts like Shannon.

Commitment Beyond the Sidelines

Shannon’s time commitment as Medical Lead for the Thunder stretched far beyond game-day taping and emergency bracing. Preparation began long before the first whistle, encompassing preventative care, injury assessments, and customized therapy sessions both in clinic and training room settings. Whether crafting individualized recovery protocols or managing acute injuries on the sidelines, her relentless focus helped ensure optimal performance and minimized downtime for athletes, building trust and resilience within the team.

Shifting to Off-Season Recovery

With the season behind them, the focus naturally pivots to recovery—a crucial phase overseen by Shannon and her colleagues. Off-season therapy is about more than treating lingering injuries; it's a strategic reset. Recovery plans now emphasize soft tissue work, postural assessments, and rehabilitation for cumulative wear-and-tear, alongside active rest and gradual reloading of tissue capacity for next year’s demands. Players return to the clinic for mobility enhancement, rebalancing muscular development, and addressing any patterns that emerged under the strain of competition.

Preparing for Next Year

While the emotional highs and lows of the season are still fresh, Shannon’s role adapts to support mental and physical rejuvenation. This involves education on sustainable health practices, helping athletes refine off-season routines, and setting individualized goals that set the stage for future success. As Queen City Sports Massage and Associates continues to act as a backbone for Regina’s sport community, Shannon’s impact stretches far into the off-season—laying the groundwork for renewed strength, resilience, and competitive fire, so the Thunder are ready to contend again.

Shannon’s hands-on support, expertise, and unwavering dedication help ensure Regina Thunder athletes heal, rebuild, and return stronger each year. The extraordinary hours spent in training rooms, clinics, and on the sidelines forge the foundation for Thunder’s ongoing success.