Steinbach's Riley Kosmolak is working hard through the summer to be ready for another season as the Head Equipment Manager for the AHL's Manitoba Moose. 

The 27-year-old has been with the club for a season and a half now and sheds some light on what his job is all about. "I have a staff of two other guys that I oversee, and we are responsible for the preparation, order, and maintenance of everything a player wears on the ice and off the ice.” 

It’s the second go-around for Kosmolak who spent a little time with the Moose earlier in his career. “It’s been awesome, it’s a lot of the same staff from the first time I was there. Coming back two years ago, there’s a couple new staff but it’s great to see people I grew up working with still here.” 

Travel is a huge part of Kosmolak's job, and he says his feet are rarely planted in one spot for long. “We travel about 80 days of the season. We usually go on road trips that are anywhere from 7-14 days (about 2 weeks), sometimes longer. It gets a little tiresome sometimes, especially when friends will ask where we are or if I’m even in the country. It’s a lot different than going up to Swan River (as he did with the Steinbach Pistons for several years), but it’s fun. We travel with a lot more stuff than we did when I was in Junior A or the WHL. We get to experience a lot of cool things, see cool cities, go to different professional spots that have ball games or basketball game, try different foods, getting to experience the world for free, it’s pretty amazing.” 

There’s no rest in the summertime for Kosmolak who’s always working at improving his craft and connections. “Saturday, I head to Florida. There’s a big convention every year with the medical staff and equipment staff from around the NHL and AHL. A lot of junior and college teams send guys, too. We get to hang out as a group, hang out and learn. Also, companies send reps with products so we can see everything and get information. The best part is seeing people who you maybe don’t see often or see them in a situation where you’re not just working with them.” 

Having accomplished so much already, Kosmolak would one day like to make it to the National Hockey League. “Ideally, the NHL is the end goal. I’m very privileged to be young in my position to where I’m at in life right now with my career. I’m not pushing the button to leave but it’s about finding the right opportunity to grow and be successful.” 

Even though he doesn’t get to see them as often as he did in the past, Kosmolak says no matter where he goes, he knows his family supports him. “I couldn’t do it without my parents. They’ve been so great encouraging me to keep going, keep working hard, and keep loving what I’m doing. They are the best.” 

From the Steinbach Pistons to the Saskatoon Blades and now with the Manitoba Moose, the future remains bright for Riley Kosmolak. 

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