Sometimes it's the post-game hustle where the crew really shines, especially on the road. At the conclusion of a road game, the crew begins a swift job of collecting and packing all the gear in order to get everything on the truck and to the team's plane before even the players, coaches and remaining staff arrive.
That includes, but isn't limited to, 23 hockey bags, 16 hard cases filled with tape, tools, sewing kits, jerseys and laundry, two skate sharpeners, 70-plus sticks and anything else that the team may need.
The equipment staff's job isn't done then. In fact, it's still just beginning. When the plane lands at the next destination - be it at home or to the next road city - the crew immediately take all the gear to the rink, unpack and set up the room for the following day. For a game day with travel, those amount to a 19-hour day.
"(They) put everything back together at sometimes 2 a.m., sometimes at 4 a.m.," Ruff said. "I don't think anybody really sees that. It's a hard job that they do an unbelievable job with."
Even if the crew finishes at 4 a.m., they still need to be back at the rink the following day well ahead of the players and coaches do get everything ready for practice.
"The guys are incredible," Ruff said. "This group that we have go above and beyond to make it unbelievably comfortable for players, for staff, for coaches. There isn't one thing they won't do for anybody in this organization. Everything is first class. Everything is organized."
Perhaps the most important part of their job is working with the players on their individual gear and sticks to make sure it all is the right fit and in good order.
"I'm really thankful (for them)," captain Nico Hischier said. "Without them it would be way harder for us. They legit do everything they can to help us out so we can focus on hockey. They do so much for us. What's happening behind closed doors not a lot of people see. But the whole team appreciates them. They do so much for us. I can't say enough good things about them."
Some players are higher maintenance than others, but the equipment staff gives every player their utmost attention, regardless if you are the team's highest scorer or a recent American League callup. Every player is treated first class.
"I've known Nater, Schmidy and Frosty (Scoppetto) for the last seven years now. The first word that comes to my mind is they're extremely selfless," forward Miles Wood said. "They care about us so much. They work so hard when we're not at the rink. They make this team go. They've been a huge part of this team for a while, and all the players admire what they do. They're selfless people and they're important to this team."
Scoppetto, who joined New Jersey in 2016, is in his seventh season and sixth as head equipment manager. He was the head equipment manager in Florida (2008-16) and spent 12 years as an assistant with Detroit (2005=08), Nashville (1999-05) and Phoenix (1997-99). He won a Stanley Cup with the Wings in 2008. He's also worked with Team USA for three World Championships (2017, '19, '22).
The Devils equipment crew were honored at the 2022 NHL All-Star game, working with the Eastern conference divisional teams. And there was a reason for their selection.
As Hischier put it: "Whatever you need, they're there to help. The best in the game."
