TORONTO — The NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs appreciate all the hard work Thunder Bay's Tom Blatchford puts in to make sure the players' equipment is properly maintained and organized.
As the team's assistant equipment manager for almost two decades, Blatchford helps to look after the skates, sticks, pads and uniforms.
On Sunday, after the Leafs defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, NC, he was honoured by the team for working in his 1,500th game.
In the dressing room, the players presented Blatchford with the special belt usually given to the player who's made the most significant contribution to a Leafs' victory.
Leafs' star winger Mitch Marner made the presentation, saying it was an honour to be a part of "an unreal milestone, and something we're all proud to be part of."
On the Leafs' social media page, numerous fans also offered their congratulations on Blatchford's achievement, with one calling hockey teams' equipment managers "the unsung heroes" of any hockey club.
Another fan wrote "Equipment guys are kings! Their contribution to their team is incomprehensible unless you have been a part of a team."
