US EditionHockey's Beloved Emergency Backup Goalies Face an Uncertain Future with New NHL Rule
- David Ayres became famous for playing goalie in the NHL and beating the Toronto Maple Leafs, illustrating the excitement around emergency backup goalies.
- The new collective bargaining agreement for 2026-27 requires teams to have a full-time traveling goalie for injuries or illnesses, changing the EBUG program.
- EBUGs have played in only six of 13,068 regular-season games in the last 10 seasons, making their appearances rare and special.
- Observers like Ben Hause and Justin Goldman expressed sadness at the changes, noting the EBUG role has brought unique stories to sports.
14 Articles
14 Articles
NHL: Under new CBA, the emergency goalie role will change dramatically
Former Zamboni driver-turned-arena manager David Ayres became an immediate sensation when he pulled on the goaltending gear and took the ice in an NHL game on a Saturday night in Toronto and beat his hometown Maple Leafs. Before that, accountant by day/beer league goalie by night Scott Foster won a game for Chicago. It’s the stuff of legend, possible only in hockey thanks to the existence of emergency backup goaltenders, the beloved “EBUGs” who …
The Hamilton Spectator
Hockey’s beloved emergency backup goalies face an uncertain future with new NHL rule
Former Zamboni driver-turned-arena manager David Ayres became an immediate sensation when he pulled on the goaltending gear and took the ice in an NHL game on a Saturday night in Toronto and beat his hometown Maple Leafs. Before that, accountant…
Associated Press News
Hockey's beloved emergency backup goalies face an uncertain future with new NHL rule
The beginning of the NHL’s next collective bargaining agreement brings to an end the possibility that a former Zamboni driver or an accountant who plays beer league hockey could enter a game in the league.
Emergency backup goalies face uncertainty with new NHL rule
Former Zamboni driver-turned-arena manager David Ayres became an immediate sensation when he pulled on the goaltending gear and took the ice in an NHL game on a Saturday night in Toronto and beat his hometown Maple Leafs. Before that, accountant by day/beer league goalie by night Scott Foster won a game for Chicago
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