Barrie Stafford

09/05/2025 41 min Temporada 1 Episodio 58
Barrie Stafford

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Episode Synopsis

Get ready for a behind-the-scenes pass into the world of professional
sports!

On Life Shouldn't Hurt, this week on the Corus Radio
Network, join host Grant Fedoruk from Leading Edge
Physiotherapy as he welcomes a true legend: Barry Stafford!

For decades, Barry was the equipment manager for the Edmonton
Oilers, seeing it all from the glory days to the championships.
He was an unsung hero, the glue behind the scenes, the confidant
who heard everything.

Hear incredible stories from Barry's 38 years in the NHL – like the
hilarious truth about Dave Semenko's training and the
fact that some players actually used to smoke between periods!

Barry reveals what it was like working with Hall of Famers,
including why Wayne Gretzky was one of the easiest guys
he ever worked with. Get insights into the demanding daily life of
an equipment manager, the long hours starting at 6 AM and often
ending at 1 AM on game nights, and how the dressing room staff has grown from
just a few to around 50 people today.

Learn about the evolution of player equipment, from the intense focus on skates
where players like Paul Coffee pushed for extreme
stiffness, to how the team budgeted for only about three pairs a year back
then.

It's not just about hockey! This is a conversation about the business of
sport and the impact behind the scenes, exploring life lessons
Barry learned, emphasizing gratitude, humility, kindness, and happiness.

Don't miss this fascinating look at life on and off the ice, straight from
someone who lived it!

More episodes of the podcast Life Shouldn’t Hurt with Grant Fedoruk