Keith Yandle, the former prominent defenseman who played in the National Hockey League from 2006–2022, has recently shared one of the happy memories surrounding none other than “Craig “Partner” Baugh, the Predators locker room attendant and Nashville LEGEND.”
Baugh has been with the Nashville Predators as their clubhouse assistant ever since the club was formed. According to The Tennessean, Baugh, who is affectionately known as “Partner” is one of the most well-respected and well-liked people in the Predators’ home and also in the NHL.
Hockey icons such as Chris Chelios, Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton, Wayne Gretzy, Roman Josi, and Pekka Rinne call him “a legend”. The incredibly admired Baugh manages Bridgestone’s guest dressing room and laundry, and he arranges the benches with towels and bottles before each game. He is a pivotal part of the club who shows up to each practice session and has become a pillar of the club.
Baugh is also known for giving players his famous “hug” and all the members are in awe of his positive approach and the way he works with extreme dedication and happiness. As per the report, when asked to Baugh about his hugs he mentioned, “I like to be friendly”. Predators equipment manager, Pete Rogers who is the boss of Baugh also expressed, “If you can’t get in a good mood seeing him, you don’t have a heart in your chest”.
A warm welcome back to @BrdgstoneArena for Ek 🤗 pic.twitter.com/YUAW2UOf80
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 17, 2023
Keith Yandle with a hilarious story about Craig "Partner" Baugh, the Predators locker room attendant and Nashville LEGEND ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/uBaw8Yktub
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 1, 2024
That’s Craig. I’m lucky to be among the thousands who call him my buddy and who have paid for his lunch. Watch below. Then read if you please:
'I love you, buddy': Craig 'Partner' Baugh has left his mark on the Predators, NHLhttps://t.co/FfZWUC4oyG https://t.co/pP4OIdvw93
— Paul Skrbina (@PaulSkrbina) February 1, 2024
Craig “Partner” Baugh, the beloved away locker room attendant for the @PredsNHL, is a cancer survivor and an irreplaceable member of the team.
Check out the full story presented by @AstraZenecaUS 👉 https://t.co/GTdUt96X7b pic.twitter.com/bnBu2B7FaU
— NHL (@NHL) January 25, 2024
Last year, Baugh also went for his eye surgery, as he was ninety per cent blind in both eyes but could see with difficulty even after wearing glasses. After the procedure, which was a gift from the Predators Club to him on Christmas, he shared, “Thanks for the new eyeballs”.
After the surgery, Baugh had been able to read well, as Rogers had mentioned, “He reads me the time” and Buagh’s determination has followed through as his boss further expressed, “You look at him and it’s like he never has a bad day.”
One of his favourite visiting players is San Jose Sharks player Joe Thornton. However, after the eye procedures, when Baugh met him, he talked about his beard. Rogers stated that the player told him, “He won’t go near me anymore” to which Baugh had replied, “It’s the beard, man. Awful.”
Thornton is always elated when he visits and one of the major reasons for his joy is Baugh, as he has a “huge smile on my face when we come into Nashville because I know I’m going to see Craig.”
The player further expressed, “He likes his lunches; he likes his ribs. And he likes you to pay for it. That’s how it is, which is fine with me. I like the company.”
Rogers also mentioned that when thinking about the cherished attendant, and said, “Nothing bothers him. He doesn’t have that innate gene. Think about all the people who have come and gone here over the years. … That night we lost the Stanley Cup. That’s as distraught as I’ve ever been losing a hockey game. The next day was just another day (for him)”.
The Predators family’s most beloved member is Baugh, as the team once helped him pay his rent. Due to some confusion, the funds were not able to get to Baugh and Rogers had asked the then-captain of the squad Jason Arnott for help.
Rogers has said, “We got a problem here. I need like $4,500 or they’re going to throw this guy’s stuff on the street.”
After an hour, the captain returned with the money he had collected from the team players and gave it to Rogers. He then went to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and paid Baugh’s rent. Rogers, taken aback by the incredible deed, shared, “These guys didn’t even bat an eye. They just said, ‘We don’t want it back. Just make sure he’s taken care of.’”
