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Name some of the heroes you’ve heard about during the USA’s double gold win in Hockey this past week. Maybe you think of Jack Hughes or Megan Keller. Maybe Conner Hellebuyck or Auston Matthews. These may be the names on the headlines, but what about Chris Scoppetto! Let’s talk about the man they call “Frosty”… Head Equipment Manager for Team USA Men’s Hockey! 🏒
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Stump Story
🥇 The Glue Behind the U! Meet Chris Scoppetto!
If you haven’t heard, Team USA Hockey did a clean sweep of the Gold Medals in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Both the Men and the Women won in identical 2-1 Overtime fashion to help bring home the double gold. They become the second nation to ever accomplish this feat.
The heroes that are making the front pages are names like Jack Hughes (game-winning goal in OT), Connor Hellebuyck (Goalie who was a brick wall), Auston Matthews, Matt Boldy, Megan Keller (also scored game-winning OT goal), and Aerin Frankel (another brick wall of a goaltender).
These are the names that you will see. How about one you won’t?
The Miracle on Ice in 1980, when Herb Brooks took his squad of youngsters to defeat the unbeatable Soviet Union, inspired an entire generation of Americans to fall in love with hockey.
Some are the ones we see on the ice today.
And some are the ones who, even though we may not see, have dedicated their lives to the sport and are as integral as anybody else on the team.
Chris “Frosty” Scoppetto has been in Hockey for more than 30 years now.
The role of an equipment manager in Hockey is someone who is on their toes as much as anybody else. They are constantly moving their eyes with the puck to keep an eye out for stick malfunctions, any trouble with skates, gear, etc.
They have to be in early and out late, set up practices and locker rooms, know every player’s gear by heart, and be ready at a moment’s notice to fix any problem that may come up.
All this to say, to be an Equipment Manager, you have to love what you do.
Before being in the NHL, he worked with the New Haven Nighthawks, an American Hockey League team that was around for 20 years (1972-1992). After years of grinding with the Nighthawks and then the Minnesota North Stars, Chris got his first NHL opportunity with the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997. He spent two seasons there as an Assistant Equipment Manager.
He then made stops with the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, and then landed with the New Jersey Devils in 2016, where he remains to this day.
He has gotten a chance to be part of an international competition before, being with the team in 2025 for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and then four IIHF Men’s World Championships, going back to 2011.
The call for the Olympics, however… that’s special.
In an interview after being named to the staff, he revealed, “Just being named to the team, just getting a call from [Team USA General Manager] Billy Guerin, who I’ve known, been friends with for a long, long time, and just getting that call from him was extra special.
The stories on Frosty are scarce, but every piece I can dig up from Devils players and anybody who has been around him says he’s just a salt-of-the-earth type of guy! Maybe this can help uncover some of the best Frosty stories from his over 2,000 games in the NHL.
Per DetroitHockeyNow, the nickname Frosty was given to Scoppetto back in Phoenix when the way he was always around Keith Tkachuk reminded Brad McCrimmon of how Bruins trainer John “Frosty” Forrestall was always around Bobby Orr.
One little noticing back in ‘98 and you forever become “Frosty.”
In some Stump’s, we highlight stories that have you ready to run through a brick wall. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Today we chose to highlight the Glue behind the U (S of A)!
I hope to one day be as passionate and dedicated to a craft the way Chris Scoppetto has been with Hockey!
Congrats and Shoutout to you, Chris! You are a Gold Medalist!
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Of! The! Day’s!
Song of the Day
Walk Of Life
Dire Straits
Definitely a repeat here. Maybe even recently. Sue me!
Quote of the Day
“Great moments. Are born. From great opportunities.”
Herb Brooks
Seems appropriate!
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