By Danny Karmin
‘BUBBA’S’ BACK
The long-time Assistant Equipment Manager of the two-time Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and current leading man of the Wolves, Rob Kennedy, relishes every opportunity to work with his staff and players throughout the season.
Kennedy is entering his third season with the Wolves and second as the Head Equipment Manager after initially debuting as an assistant in 1999. After departing from the Wolves in 2000, he had stints with the Muskegon Fury of the United Hockey League, Cleveland Barons of the AHL, two seasons with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, 14 with the Lightning and two with Quinnipiac University before returning to Chicago in 2023.
When his time with Quinnipiac concluded, Kennedy pondered retirement from the sport. His attention quickly shifted when a position opened with the Wolves.
After almost 25 years away, the man nicknamed “Bubba” was back where it all began.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Kennedy remembered thinking at the time. “I’m a big believer that things happen for a reason. Coming back here makes it full circle.”
GAME DAY
5:30 a.m. The first alarm rings as Rob Kennedy pounces out of bed, beginning an 18-hour workday.
After finishing his first cup of coffee, Kennedy makes breakfast and takes his second cup to go. As he’s progressed through his career, he’s limited his coffee intake to two cups–for now.
“I don’t have that third cup of coffee anymore like I used to,” he said. “But for most of my career, I would always have a cup of coffee before the game. I’ve kind of gotten away from that for whatever reason. I can’t really say why, but it’s two to three cups of coffee on a game day. Two in the morning and maybe one in the afternoon.”
6:30 a.m. He arrives at the rink around this time every day, whether it’s a game or practice day.
On game days, Kennedy likes to sharpen players’ skates a day in advance so he can be readily available for anything else a player might need.
To pass the time, Kennedy fills out paperwork and ties up any loose ends.
10 a.m. Players hop on the ice for their morning skate which lasts around 20 minutes. Kennedy hovers on the bench in case any player needs a skate re-sharpened or has an equipment issue.
Once the players head off the ice, Kennedy enters Phase Two: laundry. He and Assistant Equipment Manager, CJ Reif begin setting up air fans in the dressing room to dry out the gear and freshen…
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