What You Never See at a Hockey Game | Inside a Pro Equipment Manager’s Job

What really happens behind the scenes before a professional hockey game? In Episode 15 of Peach State Puck, Matteen Rad sits down with Athens Rock Lobsters Equipment Manager Micah Swift-Taylor for a look at one of hockey's most demanding and overlooked jobs. Micah shares his unlikely journey from learning to skate in Hawaii and playing goalie in Ohio to becoming a professional equipment manager, along with what it takes to keep the Rock Lobsters ready for game night. From sharpening skates and repairing equipment to managing player preferences, last-minute signings and road-trip emergencies, Micah reveals just how much work goes into getting a team on the ice.

The conversation dives into the details fans rarely see, including why hockey players are so particular about their skate blades, how different ice conditions can change equipment decisions, and the pressure of making sure nothing gets forgotten when the team hits the road. Micah also discusses the challenges of working in Southern hockey, his dream of eventually reaching the NHL, and the extraordinary hours required on game day. For a 7:05 puck drop, his work can begin at 6 a.m. and continue until 2 or 3 the following morning. It's an inside look at the unsung work that keeps Athens Rock Lobsters hockey running.

00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck

01:18 - A Big Change for Rock Lobsters Broadcasts

08:56 - Meet Micah Swift-Taylor

11:12 - From Goalie to Equipment Manager

17:00 - How Micah Joined the Rock Lobsters

23:12 - Mistakes, Emergencies and Life on the Road

26:18 - The Science of Sharpening Skates

43:42 - Southern Hockey and Chasing the NHL Dream