Blues Shake Up Equipment Staff

The Blues made a change to their support staff this summer, elevating former Assistant Equipment Manager Joel Farnsworth to Equipment Manager. As part of that series of moves, both Equipment Assistant Chad O’Neil and Equipment Manager Bert Godin were replaced in their positions.

Godin, 60, spent 20 years as the Blues’ head equipment manager. He began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1983. On November 28th 2007, Godin worked his 1000th game in the NHL. In total, Godin spent 2,476 regular season games behind an NHL bench.

He worked for USA Hockey at the 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 Olympics, offering support for both the Men’s and Women’s teams. He was also an equipment manager for Team USA at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

It is believed that Godin is staying with the Blues as a consultant. His name does not appear on the Blues’ directory of front office personnel.

O’Neil had been with the Blues since 2011. His social media pages indicate he has left the organization.

Farnsworth, the new head equipment manager, was made the team’s Assistant Equipment Manager in 2009. A native of Vermont, Farnsworth joined the Blues organization as the head equipment manager of the then-AHL affiliate Worcester IceCats in 2002.

The openings in the staff were filled by Rich Matthews and Andrew Dvorak.

Matthews, the new Assistant Equipment Manager, spent the last 17 seasons as the Equipment Manager for the New Jersey Devils. An NJ.com report indicates he was let go from that position on May 24th.

Dvorak, the new Equipment Assistant, was previously the equipment manager for the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL. Last year he worked his 1000th professional game and was named the ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year.

The changes were apparently made on or before June 28th. The new staff and their positions are properly listed on the Blues’ official website.