AHL Utica Comets

Comet Tales: Meet Head Equipment Manager John Forget

Published on November 7, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Before sharpening skates and preparing Comets gear, Forget was like millions of other young Canadian boys dreaming of one day playing in the National Hockey League while growing up in Oshawa, Ontario. While playing hockey at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough, Forget had an epiphany. "It hit me - I wasn't going to make money doing this (playing hockey). I had experience in sharpening skates from when I worked at Play It Again Sports," Forget recalls. With a little experience in dealing with equipment, and a can-do attitude, Forget applied for a vacancy in Legionnaires Tier II hockey. Even with no money involved in the services advertised, Forget jumped at the opportunity to begin his education on the equipment end of hockey operations. At the same time Forget had another job (non-hockey).

While taking care of team necessities in the Oshawa Arena, Forget's Tier II club had another locker room opposite theirs, used by the Oshawa Generals. The Generals have a long and proud standing within the Ontario Hockey League, running the gambit in producing superior NHL talent; from Bobby Orr to John Tavares. With the locker rooms situated side by side, it wasn't long before Forget switched which door he entered. For three years Forget worked under Bryan Boyes, the head trainer and equipment manager of the Generals. "When I wasn't at the rink, I worked at a golf course," says Forget. It would be Boyes, when learning of an opening within the Montreal Canadiens system with their American Hockey League affiliate (Hamilton Bulldogs), who looked into a possible move up to the pros for John. The Bulldogs assistant equipment manager position would go on to be filled by Forget.

It would be during his tenure in Hamilton that Forget experienced what he calls his best hockey moment - being part of the Calder Cup championship team in 2007. The Bulldogs defeated the Hershey Bears in five games to claim the AHL's Calder Cup. On June 7, 2007, more than 14,000 fans were in Hamilton's Copps Coliseum to cheer on 19-year old goaltender Carey Price, along with Mikhail Grabovski and the rest of their teammates. "Winning the (Calder) Cup was amazing, for sure. The feeling you get for working so hard, and to win it all, is just amazing," Forget tells. Just as the same perk players get on the championship team, Forget had the Calder Cup for a weekend. He brought the hockey hardware to his parents home and later to a local establishment in Oshawa, for all to enjoy.

Fast forward to his landing in The AUD, where he is in charge of everything equipment for the Comets. Forget's days and hours can vary. There doesn't appear to be anything resembling a 'typical' day, in being the Valley's newest equipment man. "In training camp, there's a lot going on in a short amount of time. You have double the amount of players you normally would," says Forget. "In training camp we have 38 guys, which means there is extra laundry, towels, that is the toughest time for an equipment manager."

Forget talks of 'living at the rink', stating that with a new team such as the Comets who started this past June, there is much to do in a relatively short amount of time. It shouldn't be a surprise if Forget adds additional duties to his team itinerary. While with Hamilton Forget tells of being very involved with the team's travel. "I was able to refund seats and book flights, and I made contacts with airlines, that came in handy. We (Bulldogs ) would have 60 pieces of gear to get on a plane. Sometimes we would have to split the gear on to a second plane." Forget said.

Entrusted in purchasing all equipment and supplies for the Comets, Forget is a man of many hats. As far as just how many pucks the team will go through this season, Forget has an accurate handle on the situation. According to John, the Comets will use 14-16 cases of practice pucks, and 10 cases of game used pucks. "It all depends how far you go in the playoffs," Forget insists, when it comes to a puck count. As far as sticks go, 1,300-1,400 sticks will be needed for the ready, for the Comets. "When a new guy comes in, you have to get sticks for him." says Forget.

John tells of Montreal going 'in a different direction', and not renewing contracts of his and others within the organization at the end of last season. Fortunately for Forget, out of work for only a couple of weeks, the Canucks came calling. With a start-up team and the on-going renovations at The AUD, Forget started off running when arriving in early September. John also made the call on his choice for his assistant - Western New York's Taylor Anderson. Last season Anderson was the assistant equipment manager for the San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers AHL affiliate). "Taylor was who I recommended to Vancouver for the job. He (Anderson) chose the Comets over the Rochester Americans." according to Forget.

As for what Forget is doing away from The AUD these days, he, along with Anderson and Comets medical trainer Dustin Flynn, mostly go out to eat, and then home "I live at the rink." Forget declares. John brings a wealth of big-time hockey experience to the young Comets franchise. Now, you have a name to the face you'll see moving about The AUD before and after games; an unsung hero already for the Comets.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2013


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