Rob Milette, Head Athletic Trainer, Winnipeg Jets
PHATS: What got you started in the athletic training profession and how did you get your start in Professional Hockey?
RM: It started after two years of taking classes in university for business administration. I then realized this was not the job for me, I applied to the University of Manitoba in the physical education still thinking I was going to become a Phys Ed teacher. When I got accepted and started classes I learned about Athletic Therapy and I thought to myself this is the path for me. I wasn’t good enough to play at a professional level so maybe I could contribute in another way. I graduated, passed my certification exams in 2002, and there was an opening for an Assistant Athletic Therapist/Assistant Equipment Manager with the Manitoba Moose. Luckily for me, during my time in university, I worked at a sports store in the service department. I knew how to sharpen skates, change holders and steel, re-palm gloves etc. That put me to the top of the list and I was hired in August of 2002.
PHATS: Tell us about your transition from Head Athletic Therapist with the Manitoba Moose, AHL to Head Athletic Therapist with the Winnipeg Jets, NHL?
RM: I just want to say I was very fortunate to work for the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, we prided ourselves as a top AHL team that would treat our players as if they were in the NHL. We hoped that this would help us transition to the Jets in the NHL. I remember distinctly I was in Vancouver with the Canucks during the Stanley Cup finals, standing in the equipment room with Mark Grehan our Head Equipment Manager at the time, when Mark Chipman came to the mic and announced that the Atlanta Thrashers had been purchased and were moving to Winnipeg. At that same time coach Vigneault was walking through and he chirped at his staff that they better hide all the secrets in the room because we were now the enemy. At that time all of the Moose staff had no idea what was going to happen with our jobs. Fortunately for us, we were allowed to apply and ultimately get promoted to the NHL. It was a wild summer of travel and preparation, but we managed to get it done and here we are.
PHATS: For those just starting out in this field, what advice would you give to them?
RM: The advice I give to all my students passing through is to help with your equipment staff. You are going to spend more time with these individuals than your families during the season. So if you can help them in any way once all of your work is done, do it. Whether it is folding a few towels or hanging some laundry before you head out for the day, this will go a real long way. I remember in my early days when staffs were not as large as they are now, I would help rivet holders maybe sew a few gloves. My favorite thing to do is modifying equipment for an injured player, sewing in protection etc.
PHATS: How has being involved with PHATS and the annual meeting helped you professionally?
RM: I love heading to the PHATS/SPHEM meetings every summer. It gives me a chance to hang out and speak to any trainer from any league. Anyone who reads this may laugh as I have been known to buzz around a room shaking hands and speaking to everyone. I also love all the education sessions, in my opinion there is always something new to learn.
PHATS: What is your favorite NHL city to visit on the road and why?
RM: There are many great cities to travel to, but I have to say Nashville is my favorite, live music on the streets, the energy in that building wow. Great atmosphere.
PHATS: What is your most memorable professional moment as an athletic therapist?
RM: My most memorable in the AHL would be going to the finals in 2009.
In 2015 I was fortunate enough to travel to Prague for the IIHF World Hockey Championships where we won gold. That experience was incredible.
My most memorable in the NHL would be playing in the conference finals in 2018.
PHATS: Who have been your mentors over the years and how have they inspired you?
RM: In 2001 I went down to see Jim Ramsay and the New York Rangers for a week as a student, so easy to say, Rammer was my first NHL mentor. Even though my time in New York was brief, as everyone knows, Rammer leaves a lasting impression.
My biggest mentor for sure would be Mike Burnstein. He was the Head Athletic Therapist for the Canucks when I started with the MB Moose, so as their AHL affiliate we spoke a lot. Burnie really helped me along, training me, guiding me, he recommended me for my job, and for all of that I thank him.
PHATS: What do you and your family look forward to in the off-season?
RM: Me and my family love to travel. We love all sorts of travel, either we jump in our camper and travel the country, or we jump on a plane and go out and see some history. We have been fortunate over the years to have been to many locations, Prague, Rome, Paris, Mexico, Dominican Republic, the list goes on.
Tell us a little about yourself:
RM: My favorite pastimes are hunting and cooking. Which go hand in hand, I think. I love making all sorts of cuisine. My families’ favorites are for sure my smoked wild duck breast wood fired pizza, BBQ ribs and fresh pasta, especially ravioli and sweet potato gnocchi. I also like to collect BBQ’s, I currently have 7 that I am constantly cooking on.
All photos courtesy of Rob Milette
Jason McMaster, Head Equipment Manager, Winnipeg Jets
SPHEM: What made you want a career in the equipment management profession and how did you get your start?
JM: Watching hockey growing up I would see the Athletic Therapists run onto the ice to care for the players when they were hurt on the ice. I knew at a young age I definitely was not going to make the NHL as a goaltender, so I turned my focus onto a potential lifelong career.
In Grade 12 I had a work experience with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. I worked with the Blades once per week for the entire school year. It was with this experience I quickly realized I enjoyed the equipment aspects of the job much more than the therapy side. After I graduated high school, I worked at a local sports store and with the Blades.
SPHEM: You joined the Jets in Winnipeg after their relocation from Atlanta in 2011. What do you remember most about preparing for that season?
JM: From the day I was offered the Head Equipment Manager position, the entire leadup to training camp was a blur. The lists were long, and the days were even longer, but the lead up to puck drop of the first ever Winnipeg Jets 2.0 regular season made it all worth it.
What I remember most is travelling to Atlanta and our training staff, Building Engineer and I inventoried every piece of equipment, furniture, medical, and strength items for Canada customs. Our building engineer and I drove the Equipment truck full of hockey equipment from Atlanta to Winnipeg. We had to pull over along the way in someone’s yard to ride out a Tornado storm through Iowa. Thankfully the tornadoes did not come near the yard.
SPHEM: What skills do you think Equipment Managers need today to excel in their sport, regardless of the league or level of play?
JM: I highly recommend anyone who wants to become an equipment manager to get some sort of business schooling. There is so much administrative and accounting work now. Along with this, you need to have a hard work ethic, positive attitude, good people skills, and “attention to detail”.
SPHEM: How do you think the role of Equipment Manager in pro hockey will change in the future? What would you like to see less of or more of?
JM: Director role. Oversee ordering, inventory, renovations, and budgeting for the NHL/AHL teams. Along with working with teams marketing and branding departments on new jersey creations. The rest of the equipment staff will do all the fun jobs! Sharpening, profiling, repairs, and player fitting, etc.
SPHEM: What is your most memorable professional moment as an equipment manager?
JM: It’s tough to pinpoint one exact moment. I would say all the different experiences I have been fortunate enough to experience. From my first NHL game, when I worked with the LA Kings, the first game of Winnipeg Jets 2.0, the 2017-18 playoff run, global series in Finland, 2014 world championship in Belarus, and working for Team Europe at 2016 World cup.
SPHEM: What would you say has been the best advancement in Equipment and what would you still like to see?
JM: Automated skate sharpeners (we don’t use one with the Jets currently but as technology continues to improve we will one day), equipment getting lighter to evolve with the speed of the game, and trigger steel.
Automated sharpener that produces the same feel/finish as our regular sharpeners do (Blademaster/Blackstone). I feel the automated machines currently, do an amazing job at maintaining the profiles and steel shapes. I just personally still prefer the finish on our regular machines.
SPHEM: Who have been your mentors over the years and what is the best professional advice they have given you?
JM: Steve Hildebrand (Saskatoon Blades), Larry Wintoneak (La Ronge IceWolves Coach), Tyler Broderson (Lethbridge Hurricanes Trainer), Craig Heisinger, Darren Granger & Pat O’Neil.
Their advice has been, pay attention to detail! Be organized, take pride in everything you do, and enjoy what you do.
SPHEM: What do you want your peers to know about you that they don’t already know?
JM: In the off season, my hobbies are doing yard work and landscaping, traveling and concerts.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Megan and I live in Winnipeg year-round. We have 2 dogs. Oro and Barlow.
We enjoy traveling every summer. We try to visit somewhere new each time we travel.
All photos courtesy of Jason McMaster.
By Jason McMaster, Head Equipment Manager, Winnipeg Jets
The 2019 Heritage Classic in Regina was a great experience for our whole organization. Saskatchewan is a very passionate hockey province, and embraced the opportunity to have an NHL outdoor game there. The city of Regina was a great host.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders were generous enough to allow the Jets to use their home dressing room. The Riders dressing room is outstanding. They did a great job on their dressing room complex design when Mosaic stadium was built.
With the Riders dressing room facility being so large, with great stalls, we were able to dress the room up really nice with Jets signage. I would like to personally thank Rob Baker from Pakmark who did an amazing job with all the decals and signage.
The atmosphere at the game could not have been any better. From the fighter jets fly over after the national anthem, to the consistent snow fall throughout the game, and the chilly -12C temperature all making the game feel like a true Canadian outdoor experience.
This event would not have been possible without the help of the Saskatchewan Roughrider training staff, Winnipeg Jets Game night attendants, the Calgary Flames, and the NHL staff. Thank you all!
Photos courtesy of Jason McMaster & the Winnipeg Jets.