Flint Firebirds OHL All-Access: Hockey Equipment Managers

The Firebirds Hockey Network (FHN) takes you behind the scenes with the Flint Firebirds Head Equipment Manager Simon Payette showcasing how our players are treated in Flint.

[@MXJEFF94]

These guys work so hard. Hope they get lots of appreciation from the players/ management.

[@mgray1609]

They do. I loved out managers. We always got em appreciation gifts etc

[@gabeitches6989]

That dude almost stepped on the logo☠️☠️

[@egante]

whatever they make, it's not enough this is like moving out of your apartment every day

[@johnk3734]

eganterence about 40k

[@AnthonyGriz]

So much respect for the equipment managers and their assistants, no matter which team they work for, or where in the world they are. Keep up the awesome work!

[@wallacethundercloud7742]

I think the OHL has one of the easiest travel schedules as compared to the WHL and QMJHL. With the WHL putting the most km in for road trips. Nonetheless, awesome video.

[@rip_city_and_ptfc_fan]

Yea especially Portland to Canada

[@slipieee9962]

I mean all OHL teams are probably no more then 6 hours away from each other and some even being a little as 1 hour

[@tonyk501]

This is a short road trip as the drive from Flint to Saginaw is only about 40 minutes but the same amount of packing and preparation is required to make sure absolutely nothing gets missed and that every possible contingency is planned for well in advance. These guys do an insane amount of work at insane hours of the day and night to keep a hockey team running properly, and there is even more pressure on them at the NHL/AHL pro levels. They all deserve huge credit.

[@MrJoeruggiero]

Brings back memories. I was one of the Equipment Managers for the Utah Grizzlies of the old IHL for 5 years. 1996-2000. We worked our tails off but it was awesome.

[@pat_mc_fly]

i would feel bad as a player, if someone has to carry and pack things for me, even if it is his/her job. Especially after a game... this sweaty stuff ... ugh

[@DClean]

Ya, I hope there's one or two additional equipment staff, not just Simon and his assistant, that's a tonne of work

[@johnward3047]

Every team has like 3-4 maybe even 5 equipment staff/personnel.

[@keithhuffman9429]

great take for the behind the scenes these guys work their tails off for these up and coming players!!

[@grantwilliams9861]

Great video, Flint runs an A1 program by the looks of it, great work by Simon and Brandon, the detail they put into everything really makes a difference, kids would be lucky to play in Flint, I've seen first hand how important equipment managers are and how much they are relied on, I've worked for a few teams in the OHL and Flint goes above and beyond.

[@BigCat5]

Had welly and rides as coaches at university of windsor.. boys are in good hands here

[@TerrysTwigReviews]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing

[@sousalarson6858]

OMG I was geeking out this whole video! Talk about my dream job

[@tylerallen6889]

Damn when I travel it’s just hop on a bus bring your own stuff and if you forget you forget 😂

[@natefreedberg2087]

And ask anyone got a lefty glove? 😂😂😂

[@tomtubman]

Great video I sure hope the trainers get well paid for what they do !! You really have to love to travel being either in the NHL or OHL teams

[@gabrielvass3039]

I play pick up hockey in Slovakia, so when I forget something (like skates) I just jump in my car in full equipment and drive home to get the skates. For someone it might be funny to see when someone is walking towards the house in hockey equipment

[@Hootsmcgee]

When the dedication for the game is real 🙏🏽

[@TWTexasA1]

Who’s old enough to remember the Flint Generals of the IHL, my parents use to take me to see the Muskegon Mohawks in the 60’s/70’s . I was just a kid so it seemed like the pro’s to me, which it was just a step below the NHL back then…I’ve always loved minor league hockey…still do 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@JakeMcGarryDrums]

I haven't been to a Firebirds game yet but DAMN do I miss the Plymouth Whalers.... compuware just isnt the same and the US team there just isnt the same. Miss Whalers hockey for sure!

[@jennifermulherin2947]

Very interesting!

[@pchav7788]

Who else misses the Plymouth Whalers but also thinks the Firebirds was an upgrade?

[@grantwilliams9861]

Miss the Whalers big time, nothing beats the compuware arena in my eyes, I've been to every rink in the league and Plymouth is still for some reason my favorite one.

[@grantwilliams9861]

Well@don cherry I can't argue that with you, they also had an amazing little rink, I get great memories of the Donati bros and Ryan Wilson laying people out, there is just something about Plymouth I really enjoyed, seen some really great hockey played there.

[@nathanjw940]

No it would still be better in Plymouth a lot more winning too

[@kadinhendrickson8968]

You guys would love the Milwaukee pack out system!

[@KeenanFontaine]

I didn’t know this is a thing. But this is insane! Big applause to all EQUIPMENT MANAGERS. They work harder then anybody else on the team.

[@drewhunter6033]

I was on that bus in Sarnia

[@brahmashockey5039]

I would love to have custom sticks

[@mitchmollison1948]

I miss the Plymouth Whalers so much.

[@vonmilash823]

i supported them religiously between 2001 and 2007. Great memories of some great teams and lots of beer in Ginopolis.

[@mitchmollison1948]

Von Milash I was lucky enough to go to there last game ever against Erie and I was one of the lucky fans that got to shoot pucks into the net at the end of the first period 😂

[@nathanjw940]

@@vonmilash823 me too but from the time they moved to Plymouth then I went off to college.

[@faaksee]

What kind of travel/equipment bag is that for the tape and stuff on the bench? Great work!

[@ryana185]

Chris Fox. No idea but I need it! My current bench bag is a disorganized mess.

[@simonpayette67]

Its called the dual fold from a company in London, ontario. www.4orte.com

[@faaksee]

@@simonpayette67 awesome thanks you!

[@Dodger24]

@@faaksee And the equipment cases are from janalcase.com/equipment-manager-cases/

[@matthewgregg3979]

I'm kind of surprised they use a U-hail. I figured they would have a truck of their own like the team bus.

[@lizardcosby1276]

How’s the water?

[@ilyazhitomirskiy9218]

How do they take care of goalie gear? I always make sure to wash my chesty in the shower after games, pants go in the washing machine on delicate, the jersey, jock, inner gloves, and headband, get washed normally, and the rest I treat with rubbing alcohol to clean/disinfect. They probably have more advanced means to clean/disinfect gear. I also wouldn't be surprised if the equipment kit bag has spare danglers and string.

[@qs4330]

Where do you guys get those bench bags??

[@MrAvullanA]

What company did you purchase the bench bag from?

[@sheapuck]

What is that bag called that they have on the bench with the suction cups? I would love that for our bench

[@brucepappas6298]

Would be nice if Thunder Bay had an OHL tem.

[@ronaldyuzicappi8331]

Where do you get that bench bag with the suction cups?

[@brendanstewart7985]

Man I hope the players respect these guys and not treat them poorly.

[@nateshnowske9583]

What brand is that orange grip tape? I don’t see it online

[@Hockeyedits23]

So cool! I play for the jr flint fire birds peewee b

[@gregwilson3371]

Curious do some players or goalies prefer to pack unpack their own gear?

[@matttilley8620]

Whenever I'm reminded of morning skates I remember how silly they are. Morning skates were introduced long ago and were meant for the players to test the sharpness of their blades. Obviously there is no need to do that anymore, and it just goes to show how people cling on to silly archaic notions for no reason whatsoever. And don't even get me started about "afternoon naps."

[@sharpie74YT]

Cool.

[@geob5606]

Where do you fill your water bottles?

[@nationalshinnyleague6456]

Where could I find a bench bag???

[@mikeyc4467]

What about fan mail?

[@AP21]

Wait Derek lalonde was on the team

[@spencerhood6142]

is that the locker room from goon.. the one in saginaw

[@twelt]

how did this go hockey viral?

[@DClean]

Just don't drink the water, boys !

[@charlielowell1319]

Why isn't it the flint waterbirds?

[@ahsanalidanish7927]

Equipment set price

[@garettmartin741]

Hi

[@tylernoble8137]

9:01 knob expert

[@ahsanalidanish7927]

Stick price

[@brentcurrie5961]

please tell me there are still teams making kids load the bus and pack and unpack there own bags.

[@Sanchezy804]

brent currie I’m a goalie and if I played juniors I wouldn’t let the equipment managers touch my stuff

[@jimbeam7248]

The equipment managers have always done it all at this level, these guys are basically pros

[@kyleropcean8968]

brent currie I don’t know about the OHL, but in the WHL there are teams that still have the players pack their bags and load the bus. Kelowna rockets are one I can think of

[@bzisniper10]

these guys are one step away from the NHL...

[@incinc9068]

Brenden Inmon not quite, this is OHL, not AHL. Some of these guys are pretty young,

[@perthbmx5258]

944

[@TheReferencer]

8:59 You know their what?

[@decidiousrex]

Knob. The built up tape at the top of the stick to keep your top hand from sliding off

[@TheReferencer]

decidiousrex woosh?

[@decidiousrex]

@@TheReferencer No, buddy. Your joke just sucked

[@user-tm2zl2zt5k]

Can you guys make an updated version of the locker room tour please @flintfirebirds

[@nixonbaseball6723]

I’m sorry but I just beat your 2010flint firebirds jrs

[@flamingdelta9853]

sucks they only make $25000 a year

[@RayFinkle05]

These guys are slaving and they’re doing it for kids who can’t afford to tip