Flyers' Settlemyre to make sure Team USA is equipped

Every game in the NHL, players have the equipment they need.

For the Flyers, head equipment manager Derek Settlemyre makes this possible.

Settlemyre also will make that happen for Team USA in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Opening ceremonies are Friday and the Americans' first game is Tuesday, Feb. 16, against Switzerland.

"I do all the budgeting and ordering for all the equipment," Settlemyre said. "Everything you can think of I'm in charge of, maintaining all the equipment, packing it and taking it on the road, making sure everything is always with us."

In 1993, after graduating from Coker College in South Carolina, Settlemyre took a job with the Florida Panthers, where his father, Dave, was the head equipment manager. The following season, the pair joined the Flyers' organization.

With the Flyers, Derek became assistant equipment manager for two seasons. After that, he became head equipment manager for the Phantoms, a job he held for 10 years. He rejoined the Flyers as head equipment manager in 2006.

Now Settlemyre gets to represent his country in the Winter Games.

"When I got the call, after I hung up, I sat there for a few minutes," Settlemyre said. "I was like, 'You got to be kidding me.' I was honestly speechless. I didn't know what to say, I was so excited. I called my mom right away; I felt a lot of honor."

With emotions running high, Settlemyre knows he has a lot of work ahead of him. He has to adapt to new players and make a smooth transition.

"You are dealing with a lot of NHL players and you have to get to know them right away," Settlemyre said. "You have to know their likes and dislikes. You have to pick up quick. It's a 2-week tournament so you want to make sure the players are comfortable every day."

Despite the workload, Settlemyre said he will still enjoy his time in Vancouver.

"I have never been to the Olympics," he said. "I am pretty excited to go there and have a chance to win a gold medal and be a part of a team like this." *