How to become an equipment manager

[chikinpotpie 137]

I was curious if anyone is currently in this career field or knew how to break into the business. I was thinking of this for a career after the pro-shop that I manage is torn down next year. Thanks

[marc_9 0]

yeah i would like to know too it looks like an intresting job i was also thinkin about being a trainer when i am old enough

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

Fortunately I was able to get a taste of it at the NHL level before I decided to pursue it. That being said, I wouldn't want it.

It's only rewarding at the NHL level. Getting there is a bitch - keep in mind there are only 30 jobs.

[chikinpotpie 137]

Right, I'm sure that most jobs are cushy when you get into the Show. But I was intrested in something from OHL up to AHL. I know that a person just can't jump into a position with a NHL club without "paying his dues".

[pantherfan 0]

I think oldtrainerguy28 is OHL or has been.

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

He helps out but it isn't his full-time job.

[bigd19 0]

Chickenpotpie lovin the avatar.

[chikinpotpie 137]

IF you saw me in real life, I don't look too much different.

JR, how did you get a "taste"? Do you have to know somebody or is there a way to break into the business?

[JR Boucicaut 3803]

The Nashville Predators did their training camp at my rink in 2003. I "interned" with the staff for a week.

[DarkStar50 679]

About a week is all it takes to figure out this isn't as much fun as it looks! Pack smelly wet gear into bags right after the game, wash dirty socks, jocks and jerseys, pick up tape balls, push 50 lb carts around full of hockey gear out to the bus, set up the sticks, trainers room while in some crappy practice rink on the road, go to the arena at 6 AM to set up the locker room while the players are at the hotel sleeping, start grinding skates at 9 AM for game day skate at 11 AM, prep locker room for game early afternoon, ready for pre-game taping at 5 PM, work the game(actually a relief), game ends and start all over again with packing smelly wet gear into bags right after the game. I was offered the same job 25 years ago and it was the same deal then as it now. Working at the LHS is a piece of cake compared to what equipment managers do for a living. BTW, this is in Junior, about 10 years before you get to the Show.

[rwshockey55 0]

I am from Georgia, we have a minor league team here that is part of the SPHL. The team was looking for an equipment manager over the off season. In the mean time they have found someone but, if you knew anything about sharpening skates and equipment you could have had the job. The pay was weak they only paid about $400 every two weeks.

[Gongshow11 1]

I am from Georgia, we have a minor league team here that is part of the SPHL. The team was looking for an equipment manager over the off season. In the mean time they have found someone but, if you knew anything about sharpening skates and equipment you could have had the job. The pay was weak they only paid about $400 every two weeks.

thats because its the SP and the players get paid jsut as much

[rwshockey55 0]

The pay for the players isnt great but all the players that play in Columbus love it here. They only receive around $200 a week but they get free luxury apartments and get treated like royalty. The SPHL is a great league though and the speed and ability of the players is equivalent to the CHL. But anyways if you want to become a equipment manager start in the lowest league and work your way up.

[WBGMike 2]

The SPHL is a great league though and the speed and ability of the players is equivalent to the CHL.

not even closer to either CHL

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I think oldtrainerguy28 is OHL or has been.

I do the profiling for the Mississauga Ice Dogs OHL

I have worked with the Toronto Roadrunners AHL when they were here.

I work at National full time and for fun...LOL

I am the full time Equipment Manager for the Oakville Ice NWHL team as well as the PWHL Oakville Ice http://www.oakvilleice.net/staff.htm

and if thats not enough I am helping out a old friend Coach Steve Chelios

with the Orangeville Crushers Jr. A team OPHL

and during the summer because I have nothing else to do I do a bunch of europeon players and also some NHL, AHL guys.

[Sticks of Fury 0]

Maybe this site might help a bit.

http://www.phats-sphem.com/

[chikinpotpie 137]

That seems to be more of a fraternal organization. From the looks of the sign-up form, you already have to be an equipment manager first. Thanks though.

[rwshockey55 0]

I know during the off season new mexico in the chl was looking for an equipment manager i dont know if the position has been filled though or not.

[Gongshow11 1]

The pay for the players isnt great but all the players that play in Columbus love it here. They only receive around $200 a week but they get free luxury apartments and get treated like royalty. The SPHL is a great league though and the speed and ability of the players is equivalent to the CHL. But anyways if you want to become a equipment manager start in the lowest league and work your way up.

almost zero percent chance of moving up, and rare that one even make the Ahl. Most guys play a year or two after jrs/college and then hang them up

[forbs02 20]

I didn't know where else to post this video... but I had to share it.

So funny and not funny at the same time :P

[RadioGaGa 162]

I didn't know where else to post this video... but I had to share it.

So funny and not funny at the same time :P

I'm thinking prat fall. He went down pretty slow.

[Ultimus 0]

I saw a documentary/TV show or something maybe it was on the net, it might have been on MSG not sure it was on the NYR equipment manager.... it is an INSANE amount of work.... not only getting the gear ready for the players but cataloging, ordering, moving the old stuff and buying new gear... I don't remember the full details.

What was something like 30k budget for some players? Wasnt their a thread on it somewhere here?

I was looking for the thread and found these they should be helpful for you... Equipment Manager Post

Thread on oldtrainerguy's article in TSN

Found the thread but the article is dead.... here

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Fortunately I was able to get a taste of it at the NHL level before I decided to pursue it. That being said, I wouldn't want it.

no doubt... as sweet as it looks, i got things i'd rather do than laundry at 3am and packing someones jock in a bag.

[forbs02 20]

Bringing it back to to the top yet again, but I wanted to post this article on Harry Broadfoot, the Gophers equipment manager. Here it is. Harry is just an awesome guy and its nice that they wrote about him.