Thursday, February 01, 2007
by Devin Heroux, U of Saskatchewan Sports Info Assistant
It was humble beginnings for Troy Parchman. The product of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and now equipment manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, has had quite an illustrious career, a career that started right here at the University of Saskatchewan.
Parchman had finished high school, and headed north to Saskatoon, where he would enter the U of S, not too sure exactly what he wanted to be doing, but knew it had to involve sports. In 1982 Parchman got a big break, and would end up becoming the Huskies football and hockey equipment manager. This is what paved the way for what would become his life job, and life love.
It was a lot of work for Parchman as he tried to earn a degree, and take care of all the equipment for two of the biggest sports teams on campus. His hard work wouldn’t go unnoticed however, as in 1988, he would get his second big break, receiving news that the Canadian national hockey team would like him as their equipment manager. The news was thrilling for Parchman. From 1988 to 1994, he served as equipment manager with the national program, where he worked consecutive World Hockey Championships from 1991-94.
His experience with the University and the Canadian national hockey team would allow him to expand his knowledge of what it took to be the best in the business, and his name was getting around quickly. Before long Parchman would be using his expertise in the biggest sporting event in the world, the Olympics.
After taking part in the 1992 and 1994 Olympics, Parchman looked for something a little more concrete, a job that would allow him to stay in one place with his wife. That’s when he got the offer with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Parchman has no idea when the phone will ring next to ask him if he wants to be a part of another World Championship or Olympics. For right now, he loves his job with the Blackhawks, but would be more than willing to take part, in say, another Olympics if he had the chance. He does, however, admit that if it weren’t for the University of Saskatchewan, and the chance he received with the Hockey and Football teams, he would not be where he is today.
