Equipment manager Dave Westbury sharpens skates during a team trip to Langley, B.C. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

By Daniella Ponticelli

Meet Dave Westbury

Huskies equipment manager the glue for women’s hockey program

Jan 20, 2022 | 5:50 PM

Whether on a frigid weekend at home in Saskatoon — or on the road by bus or plane — Dave Westbury is always there for Huskies women’s hockey.

The 40-year-old equipment manager has been with the program for 12 seasons, including the “COVID year” where he helped facilitate a practice-only schedule, off-campus.

“We moved all of our stuff, three C Cans full, set up for a whole season there at SaskTel Centre,” he said.

With the return of U Sports competition for 2021-22, Westbury is back in his element and at home in Merlis Belsher Place, a state-of-the-art facility he calls a “dream.”

Equipment manager Dave Westbury gets to work ahead of a home game at Merlis Belsher Place on Nov. 20, 2021. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

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When he first started, Westbury laundered all the team’s gear in the lone card-operated washer and dryer at Rutherford Rink. Now, four student trainers handle the tall task with multiple machines in the program’s dedicated laundry room.

“From where we came from, to where we are now, it’s night and day,” he said.

Westbury is just as much a reflection of the program’s evolution, and it’s dedication to delivering an elite experience for Huskies women’s hockey.

“I don’t do it for the accolades and the thank you’s,” he said. “I just do it because I love it and if they’re happy, that makes me happy.”

While working full-time as an estimator at a welding shop, Westbury carves out evenings and weekends for the team.

When the Huskies host a weekend series, Westbury’s work begins Thursday evening with skate sharpening and room setup.

On game Fridays, Westbury works his full-time job shop before heading to the arena for final set up.

“My trainers do a lot of the bench setup too, making sure there’s towels and water bottles. They look after all that,” he said.

“They’re just life savers for me. They do so much.”

The Huskies women’s hockey locker room inside Merlis Belsher Place all setup for game day. (Dave Westbury/submitted)

Still, the dedicated equipment manager puts in his time. Often between 16-18 hours on a home weekend.

His routine is more complex on the road. For the team’s trip to Langley, B.C. in November, Westbury downsized essentials, including a skate sharpener, to fit within airline limits.

And with the women practising and playing in different venues each night, the bus had to be loaded and unloaded seven times that weekend.

For Westbury, it’s worth it for the players.

“When I see them win, when I see them successful, see them being on the all-academic list in school, that probably is one of the most driving factors of me being here,” Westbury said.

Huskies equipment manager Dave Westbury sharpens a skate in the hallway of a community rink in Langley, B.C. During the season he also mends jerseys, replaces sticks and cleans the locker room. (Daniella Ponticelli/HuskieFAN)

His importance to the program’s culture and community is not lost on head coach Steve Kook.

“Dave is so good at what he does and he’s proud of it. He enjoys the program, he puts the program first. He’s as much a part of this program as anybody is,” Kook said.

Kook noted that having a dedicated equipment manager is a key point for the Huskies during recruitment, as players learn they can put their focus on school and hockey.

Players who’ve spoken with HuskieFAN throughout the season agree: Westbury was a factor in the program standing out from others.

Outside of the hard work, the equipment manager also has a little fun on his travels with the team — posting reviews of concession popcorn on social media.

“An equipment manager in the States was doing a popcorn blog. I jokingly said that we need to review the popcorn in Canada West so I started it,” he said.

“We don’t go to all the rinks this year, so it will be over two years.”