Tools of the trade!

To make a hockey team run smoothly there is a lot of tools that´s needed.
If we look beyond the usual stuff like jerseys, sticks, water bottles and the other stuff there is much other things that is needed.

If you pick a random equipment manager and have a look in his or her boxes or tool crates you will probably find stuff that differs from other equipment managers. We all find our own stuff that we use.

Myself I have a box for every different occasion.

I have a box with medical stuff. One that I bring to the bench that contains everything I can imagine that I could need during the game.

Equipment for fixing things.

Anything can break or need replacement. It can be a strap on a random protective gear or some Velcro that need replacement. Usually the manufacturer put this stuff of during manufacturing with little thought of in field mending. So you have to improvise.

Sometimes or maybe most often you can use a regular sewing machine.

For more managing tasks or heavy materials I usually use the speedy stitcher. The seam you get is like that one of a machine, but you use it by hand. Highly recommended.

Glue. Of different kinds. Either for a on the spot repair och some more lasting.

Some easy to reach tools for everyday tasks.

Washing machines. As I said before. You have to love washing. I counted 18 loads during the weekend...

Shapening skates.
A skate sharpener. We have the Prosharp 1001. I would rather have a machine from Blademaster. They are manual and with more control of the result. But it´s not my choice, so I´ll have to live with it.  And you need honing stones. Both for getting the perfect sharpening result and for emergency sharpening on the bench.

Is there more?

Of course there is. As I said, every EM have their own stuff. And we get our own ticks. More on the ticks in another post, I think. If you like, I could specify what I have in my different boxes. But here is a list of what´s in the box I bring to the bench with me.

*Laces. Waxed. Both wide and narrow.
*Tape for sticks, both white and black
*Tape for shin guards
*Duct tape in different sizes
*Instant glue
*Cable ties
*Pliers
*Whiteboard pens
*Extra writing board for the coach
*Cleanex
*Towels
*Chewing gum
*Cough drops

And in my pants and jacket I have a few extra things like
*Screwdrivers
*Scissors
*Leatherman
*Pens
*Honing stones
*Tape
*Notebook

And probably some more things that I can´t remember here in front of my computer.
But if a player asks for something that I don´t have with me to the bench, I will add it. Within reason that is.

You always have to listen to the players. You are there for them and not the other way around. They are making the magic on the ice, you are just there to support them.