Panthers Celebrate Head Equipment Manager's 1,500th Professional Game

SUNRISE, Fla. -Whether you realize it or not, you've probably seen Teddy Richards before.
As the head equipment manager for the Panthers, perhaps you've caught him chatting with a player on the bench while watching a game on television, or maybe seen him darting in and out of the tunnel from your seat at FLA Live Arena to quickly grab a fresh stick so that a player can be ready for their next shift.
For fans, equipment managers like Richards are somewhat unknowns.
But for the players, they're seen as some of the team's unsung heroes.

"It's a ton of work," Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. "They make everything seamless for us, and for that we're forever grateful. Obviously, Teddy is a consummate professional. He does everything he can to make us feel comfortable with our equipment and on the ice. We love everything he does."
Like Ekblad said, equipment managers usual work longer hours than anyone on the team. They're first to arrive at buildings in order to unload all the gear, and then the last to leave after packing it all up again. The moment one game ends, the work for the next one begins. That's the routine from Game 1 to 82.
But it's because of that unmatched dedication that players only have to worry about one thing.
Playing the game.

"I don't think we even appreciate enough how much they do for us," Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau said. "The hours they work are intense. When we come back late, their day isn't over. They work all day to get the room ready, then morning skate, then stay at the rink all day, and then after the game they're in the truck. The days they have are insane. It's 20 hours a day for them. It's a lot of work, but Teddy is such a pro at it. He never complains. He's always there for you. He's such a good guy."
Taking a moment to celebrate that strong dedication, the Panthers honored Richards for working the 1,500th professional game of his career prior to Wednesday's game against the Bruins at FLA Live Arena.
Making his professional debut as an assistant equipment manager for Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate in 2002, Richards later became the head equipment manager for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2006. In 2013, he finally got his long-awaited call to the NHL and joined the Penguins as an assistant equipment manager.
After spending three seasons with the Penguins - a tenure that included a Stanley Cup - Richards then became the youngest head equipment manager in the NHL when he was hired by the Panthers in 2016.
"They help us be the best we can," said Panthers forward Patric Hornqvist, who first met Richards when they both were in Pittsburgh. "For Teddy, 1,500 game is a long, long time. He's been doing the right things from Day 1. He's still the same guy, but he wants to get better. That's what makes him special."
As part of the pre-game ceremony, the Panthers presented Richards with a custom plaque and a grill.