Equipment manager Pat O'Neill celebrates 3,000 games
After 3,000 games, legendary equipment manager still making sure everything is where it belongs
When you've worked in the National Hockey League for 41 years, you'd think the answer to the question of “quirkiest player you've ever dealt with” would take a moment.
For Pat O'Neill, now in his 33rd season as equipment manager for the Vancouver Canucks, the only reason the answer isn't instant is because he had to laugh first.
“Cliff Ronning,” he replied late last month, a few days before what was supposed to be his 3,000th career NHL game. “He was probably the most superstitious person to ever play the game.”
Emphasis on “the most.” He then proceeded to tell the story about the time during the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs Geoff Courtnall had the number of the parking spot Ronning had started to use outside the Pacific Coliseum repainted from seven — Ronning's sweater number — to 13.
Through the first five games of the Smythe Division semifinal against the Los Angeles Kings, Ronning had six goals. The parking spot was his good luck charm, he figured.
The problem was, O'Neill pointed out, was that the spot wasn't in the area designated for the players. In fact it was team owner Arthur Griffiths' spot.
All week a security guard had been asking the players who was parking in Griffiths' spot. Before Game 6, Courtnall went to O'Neill to help him track down the arena's painter.
The seven became a 13. “You'd almost rip the transmission out he reversed so fast when (Ronning) saw what he was driving over,” O'Neill said.
“He never parked there again,” Courtnall laughed.
“It's funny because it's still there,” O'Neill added.
Ronning laughed when he was reminded of the story last month, then said he was delighted to hear that his old friend stands on the edge of a milestone.
“I've dealt with a lot of training staffs and Patty was first class,” said Ronning, who played for seven NHL teams — five seasons in Vancouver — amassing 1,137 career games played.
“For a trainer to be doing that for 3,000 games you've gotta take your hat off, he's dealt with 20 individuals every year who have their little needs, differences,” he added.
What makes O'Neill so good at his job is that he's always there to help, but he's also able to tell what a player didn't need.
“There were times he definitely would laugh and set you in your place and make you realize you were being a bit nuts,” Ronning said. “He was great at making you realize you just needed to play, that no matter what things you fiddled with, it came down to your ability.”
Canucks head coach Travis Green spoke in similar terms when asked about O'Neill's achievement.
“It's amazing,” he said. “He's worked all star games, world cups ... it tells you how good he's been at his job. You've really got to be an amazing person. He might be a better person than he is a trainer.”
O'Neill, who is the first to arrive at the rink just about every day and is usually the last to leave, really was born to do this job. Before he started working for his hometown Winnipeg Jets, he worked at his dad's sporting goods store in Winnipeg.
“I learned how to do all this stuff, repairs, sharpenings,” he said.
Of course, when he started, it was just him and a medical trainer and a third guy who would be a jack-of-all-trades behind the scenes. Now he's got a staff working alongside him, keeping skate blades sharp, sweaters, pants and socks looking sharp and sticks, helmets and gloves ready to go — and of course they're busier than ever.
“The basics, 75 per cent of the job is probably the basics,” O'Neill said. “But there's way more things to deal with. Two guys wouldn't be able to do the job. There's that much detail. Everything is busier. Everything is amped up so you have to have well educated, organized staff to make it happen in a proper manner.”
Facilities have come a long way too.
“(The Coliseum) was like being in your parents' basement. The (dressing room ceiling) was a little low. I mean at that time it was it was good and it was functional but nowadays it would be completely, not even close to being what you need.”
Being able to stay in his job for as long as he has is down to how O'Neill's been able to
We know better what they need and want than they do because we're so in tune with what they're doing.” Pat O'Neill
connect with player after player after player. The equipment managers often double as a counsellor, ready to dole out advice on life, both on-ice and off.
“We know better what they need and want than they do because we're so in tune with what they're doing. We can read them like a book, for the most part,” O'Neill said. “At the end of the day we make sure that players have everything they need to play the game with the best of their abilities.”
Griffiths, who sold the team in the mid-'90s, has kept in touch with O'Neill over the years.
“I can't ever remember him complaining or saying `I need this, I need that,'” Griffiths said. “He's just `get `er done.' He hasn't changed a bit. His way of talking. His view of hockey, of himself. He's not tired. Not cranky. Same outlook.”
“I can't help but think of the commitment to the characters he's looked after over the years. And keeping on top of the evolution of equipment.”