While the players take the ice, behind the scenes of every hockey team is a dedicated crew of team managers and equipment staff ensuring everything runs smoothly. Rachel Lee, the equipment manager for the Dallas Stars Elite, is one of the unsung heroes of the team’s success. Rachel oversees everything from maintaining gear to ensuring the players’ equipment is in top condition for each game.
“Every game starts with checking the sticks, skates, and jerseys,” Rachel says, explaining that keeping players’ equipment in perfect condition is vital to their performance. She spends hours before each game sharpening skates, ensuring pads are properly fitted, and fixing any broken equipment.
Rachel is also in charge of packing the team’s gear for road games, ensuring that everything from medical kits to jerseys is accounted for. “We travel as a team, and it’s my responsibility to make sure that nothing is left behind,” Rachel adds.
In addition to her technical role, Rachel also plays a key emotional role in maintaining team morale. “Sometimes, I’m the first one to notice when a player is struggling or when something’s off,” Rachel says. She makes it a point to check in with each player, offering encouragement or just lending a listening ear.
Her work often goes unnoticed by fans, but for the players, Rachel is a crucial part of the team. “They trust me to take care of their gear, so they can focus on the game,” she explains.
