Season 2026: Behind the Scenes of the NHL with Former Arena Manager Ryan Rostad

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Behind the Scenes of the NHL with Former Arena Manager Ryan Rostad

Go inside the world of professional hockey arena management with Ryan Rostad, who spent 15 years managing retail operations at Ball Arena in Denver. Discover what it really takes to prepare for Stanley Cup Finals and championship nights at one of the busiest multi-sport venues in professional sports.

Episode Highlights:

NHL Arena Operations:

• Behind-the-scenes preparation for the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals (Colorado Avalanche)
• Managing 12-14 hour game days and 35-40 staff members during playoffs
• Championship merchandise coordination and last-minute logistics
• Converting Ball Arena between Avalanche and Nuggets games

Career Insights:

• Ryan's journey from youth hockey player to NHL arena manager
• Real talk about working in professional hockey: passion vs. pay
• Advice for breaking into sports industry careers
• The importance of building relationships across arena departments

Bonus: Ryan also discusses his passion project, The Roasted Snow Horror Show podcast, showcasing life beyond the arena.

Perfect for: Hockey fans, aspiring sports industry professionals, NHL enthusiasts, Colorado Avalanche fans, and anyone curious about what happens behind the scenes at professional sports venues.

Connect with Ryan: Roasted Snow Horror Show | Podcast on Spotify | [e-mail] | Available on all podcast platforms

Keywords: NHL, Stanley Cup Finals, Colorado Avalanche, hockey arena management, Ball Arena, sports industry careers, championship games, hockey operations, Denver Nuggets

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