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ON THE ICE — Toronto Maple Leafs equipment manager Bobby Hastings went viral this week for his impressive diligence in staying ready with the hockey sticks in case a player breaks his mid-play.
Hastings was filmed during Monday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights keeping his fingers on the stick of whoever had the puck at any given moment in case theirs broke and he had to get them a new one at a second's notice.
Hastings does this every game, and his attention and focus paid off back in 2018 when he assisted a player making a run toward the goal by passing him a new stick in stride.
The player went on to score immediately after, and the NHL Twitter account pitted Hastings' assist against Pittsburgh Penguins equipment manager John Taglianetti who had a similarly timely stick-pass that also resulted in a goal in 2021.
Watching the "Stick Man" at hockey games is so insane. He touches the stick of whoever has the puck. pic.twitter.com/x1y6GpHUg2
— Remko Rinkema (@RemkoRinkema) October 25, 2022
EQUIPMENT MANAGER ASSISTS 🚨
— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2021
Who did it better: Bobby Hastings or Jon Taglianetti? @NHLdotcom has more ➡️ https://t.co/sBEjmVK8yHpic.twitter.com/cyEtdsyYB9
