Barry Ready for Anything

Being the equipment manager of a professional hockey team is a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.

For the Brooklyn Aces, that person is Dan Barry.

Armed with an outgoing personality and a plethora of hockey knowledge, Barry may in fact be the team’s secret weapon, as the skates he’s sharpened and sticks he’s taped have been on the feet and hands of a Brooklyn Aces team that has a 9-1 record through their first 10 games.

Chatting with Aces Over Brooklyn during the team’s last homestand, Barry talks about how he joined the ranks of his profession and how tough it is to have one of the best seats in the house every night.

Aces Over Brooklyn- How did you get into managing equipment?

Dan Barry- I moved to New York in 2005. I was doing a lot of acting in the city at the time and I needed a second job, so I started working at the pro shop at Chelsea Piers. Then I hurt my knee; I pretty much had reconstructive knee surgery and when I came back, I started working at the rink full-time. It was then where I started to enjoy myself more in hockey than when I was on stage, so I started to get involved more. Eventually [Hudson Valley Bears forward] Tommy Westfall, who has been very instrumental in my career, told me about the league, which was really in the zygote stage at the time. He passed my name to [Aces then owner] Curt Russell, who passed it along to Chris Firriolo, who gave me a call in the summer. The rest is history.

AOB- So this is the first time that you’ve been the equipment manager for a pro team?

Barry- Yes. But working at Chelsea Piers really prepared me because of how talented the elite leagues are. They have some of the best mens leagues in the country with some of the best players and teams as well. St. Nick’s, for example is probably one of the oldest hockey clubs in the country. You have guys there from Boston College and Boston University too. Most nights I worked there were busy ones. It was great practice.

AOB- What did you do there?

Barry- I managed the pro shop. They had a wide selection of stuff there and I had to know a lot about the retail aspect of things, but I also sharpened skates, a lot of skate repair actually and basically everything that I have to do here. There were a lot of small things as well, like making sure the visiting teams were taken care of and that they had everything they needed in their locker room like ice and towels. I always made sure I was a good host.

AOB- I noticed after the team’s last home game that the guys screamed as soon as you came into the locker room; was that because of you?

Barry- [Laughing]It’s funny that you say that because as soon as I came in, the first thing I heard was “Take Monday off.” I wish I could get a reaction like that from the guys. In all seriousness though, I really have a good relationship with them. I know Eddie Neville for about a year and a half; he’s a great guy. The same goes for Miro Recicar. I know Nick Grove for about a year and a half also, but I didn’t get a chance to really get to know him until he joined the team. All of them are great guys though.

AOB- What’s your favorite part of being an equipment manager?

Barry- Watching the game. I know I can’t pass a guy the puck, but if I can help a guy while they’re on the ice in any way, I do it and it feels great every time. That means giving a guy a new stick if he breaks one or fixing something with his equipment as fast as I can. In order to do that though, you really have to be on top of your game and always know what’s going on. Any time you’re getting paid to be a part of a professional team in any sport is an extremely serious job.

AOB- Considering the fact that you get to see all the players equipment, have you seen anything out of the ordinary yet?

Barry- I think the biggest thing that people don’t know is how old some of the players equipment is. Some of these guys have things like shoulder pads for a really long time. I think Jesse Felten has had the same shoulder pads since Pee Wees. He’s jacked though, so I don’t think he needs that much protection. Overall though, I think that’s the case with a lot of the guys. They just want to wear something that is lightweight, comfortable and will protect them from a slash or the puck if it has to. I know a lot of players have their own rituals and things like that; I know Eddie Belfour used to sharpen only half the blade of his skates, but I haven’t seen anything like that yet. I’ll keep my eyes open though.

AOB- What’s your least favorite part of being equipment manager?

Barry- Probably getting up early. During game days, I’m here for the morning skate, which means I have to get up around seven and I’m out of here by about midnight if the game ends around 10:30.

AOB- Most of the players here have aspirations of moving up the ladder in professional hockey, do you?

Barry- My goal is to win the Stanley Cup. I don’t think the equipment manager gets his name on it, so I just want to win it. I been a hockey fan since I was little and a Devils fan since I was eight. I was at game seven in 2003 and watching those guys hold the cup above their heads was an amazing experience. I’d love to be on the bench watching that happen one day. Until then, I don’t even want to touch it or take a picture with it. Right now though, I’m happy in Brooklyn. This is a great franchise and I love the atmosphere and the guys here. I’m having a great time.

AOB-What is one thing you’d like to say about your job?

Barry- It’s tough. It’s one of those jobs that you never notice when a guy is doing his job well; they’ll never know who you are. But whenever you slip up, all eyes are on you and everyone will know who you are. That’s why you always have to know what’s going on.

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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