What It's Like To Be An Emergency Backup Hockey Goalie

Published: Wednesday, February 26, 2020 - 12:37pm
Updated: Thursday, February 27, 2020 - 10:29am
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You may have heard of the Toronto man, David Ayers,  who donned an NHL jersey this past weekend. At the age of 42, he filled in at goalie for the visiting Carolina Hurricanes.

How did he do? 

David Ayers helped the visiting team, the Carolina Hurricanes, beat his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.

During the day, Ayers drives a Zamboni as a manager at a nearby sports complex.

But for 41 games each year, he is what’s called an “emergency backup goaltender." You’ll find one at every major league hockey game ready to take the ice in case of injury to a goalie on either team.  

Nate Schoenfeld was that guy for the Arizona Coyotes for three years. Schoenfeld is a former Arizona State University hockey player who hung up his backup goalie gear in 2018.

What was it like to see an emergency backup goalie not only enter a game, but help win one?

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