Such an amazing story when it happens. It always seems that every player on both teams offers up huge congratulations to the EBUG afterwards. The team that the EBUG plays for puts that player on a pedestal and treats them like a king; win or loose. The fans really get behind it too. Ryan Vinz filled the backup position for the Sabres, while the backup played. He didn't see any play time, but still had a special memory for it.
EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
51–60 of 98 posts
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
If people got called up all the time that might be a problem. But it'd be impossible to justify the cost of flying extra players around, so the practice would simply end if that were a concern. I don't think many people with a once in a lifetime chance to play in a real NHL game are going to take a dive just so the home team wins.
> it'd be impossible to justify the cost of flying extra players around, I doubt traveling expense is the limiter, how many years of that would it take to reach even the NHL minimum salary? Teams would try to game the system if they were given more choice, and it'd lead to more decent goalies riding the bench rather than playing in smaller leagues.
It's actually kind of a tough problem.
A reserved fan ebug is a no go for reasons you stated and others.
An extra roster spot might work, but that's potentially someone playing not very much hockey. OTOH, we already have that scenario since it's a 23 person roster.
The thing is, this latest ebug appearance was kind of an important game. Goalies seem to get hurt more often now (someone just got hurt tonight), and as good as these stories are, you probably don't want to see an ebug when it matters.
Maybe just add the roster spot after the trade deadline or something
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#53Earlier quoted context omitted.
That's not really a choice for the visiting team to make. A team can only have two goalies dressed for a game. The emergency backup goalie rule (which is unique to the NHL, AFAIK) is that the home team has to have an emergency goalie booked who's available as a stand-in for either team should both of the team's dressed goalies get injured during the game. Either team would only realistically take that option if they…
The "Zamboni Goalie" David Ayers, provided by the Toronto Maple Leafs when both goalies for the visiting Carolina Hurricanes went down, notched a win for the visitors.
I suppose that, given the backup goalie is local, even if you lose, you win. Cheer on the hometown hero!
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#54Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think there’s a few reasons they don’t worry about it: 1. This very rarely comes up at all. 2. These guys aren’t usually that good (by NHL standards) and you’ve probably lost the game anyway. You’re relying on your defense to keep the puck away from them more than you’re relying on them to excel. 3. (Probably most important to your point). This is one of the best days in this guy’s life. He’s In an NHL game and wil…
>These guys aren’t usually that good To further this point, the person in this article is nearly blind in one eye. And on three, I agree. But the rule also applies to playoffs and it's interesting to imagine how you would play with your favorite team's Stanley Cup dreams riding on it. More so when you add in how the city would react to your actions.
> He made two saves on three shots, allowing a goal from Jason Robertson, which wound up being the game winner to help secure a 4–2 win for Dallas.[7]
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#55Polo also allows drafting players from the stands (If someone goes out injured, you've got 15 minutes to find another player.) and I've seen it happen.
The kind with the horses? Doesn't it take years to get good enough not to hurt the horse?
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#56The post-game interview with Scott Foster (one of the stand-ins referenced in the article) is pretty funny: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB60iaSUIu0 Best Quote: "I'm an accountant by day. So a few hours ago I was sitting at a computer typing on a 10 key. Now I'm standing before you guys after playing 14 minutes of NHL hockey". I'll never forget the shock of sitting down to catch sports highlights only to see this…
That is brilliant, come on, surely the best is: > you just keep grinding away in men's league and eventually you'll get your shot ! I can't imagine having something like that happen and having the composure to give an interview like that in the same night.
It was certainly said tongue in cheek, but I played in the same men's league that Scott Foster played in at Johnny's Ice House in Chicago and one of our players legitimately was called up to a professional team a week after playing a men's league game.
Granted it was a low level professional team, and he was called up by a previous coach he had played for, but certainly was worth a couple chuckles.
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#57I kept waiting for the turn to "how this concept should be used in OT incident management" or somesuch and was instead "disappointed" to receive a joyful missive on unexpected dreams. Fun!
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#58I'm going to do all of you a favor - this is one of the greatest stories ever. EBUG from just 2 years ago. Here's the incident as it happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0JTRm-wf2E&ab_channel=Slick... The EBUG was the zamboni driver for the home team junior team. And also a practice goalie. He comes out in helmet, pads and breezers (pants) of the home team, and even skates to the wrong goal because...wrong team…
Dangle is always like that. I'm pretty sure it's part of his schtick. But absolutely hilarious all the same.
It was an epic night for hockey.
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
>These guys aren’t usually that good To further this point, the person in this article is nearly blind in one eye. And on three, I agree. But the rule also applies to playoffs and it's interesting to imagine how you would play with your favorite team's Stanley Cup dreams riding on it. More so when you add in how the city would react to your actions.
> He made two saves on three shots, allowing a goal from Jason Robertson, which wound up being the game winner to help secure a 4–2 win for Dallas.[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hodges_(ice_hockey)
I'm not sure why you're responding to me with that quote.
Re: EBUG: The NHL's emergency backup goalie rule
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
> it'd be impossible to justify the cost of flying extra players around, I doubt traveling expense is the limiter, how many years of that would it take to reach even the NHL minimum salary? Teams would try to game the system if they were given more choice, and it'd lead to more decent goalies riding the bench rather than playing in smaller leagues.
It's actually kind of a tough problem. A reserved fan ebug is a no go for reasons you stated and others. An extra roster spot might work, but that's potentially someone playing not very much hockey. OTOH, we already have that scenario since it's a 23 person roster. The thing is, this latest ebug appearance was kind of an important game. Goalies seem to get hurt more often now (someone just got hurt tonight), and as g…
The obvious solution is to allow a trainer/coach to suit up in emergencies, teams travel with enough personnel that I'd be shocked if someone isn't as capable as most of the EBUGs.
And I do think keeping talent playing rather than coaching is one of the primary reasons they don't change the rule. With my rule change, if you're a 24 year old ECHL goalie how much money would it take to accept an EBUG "trainer" job? How would the cap deal with that could also be an issue.