College Goalie Becomes Emergency Backup for Sharks

Kyle Chauvette signs amateur tryout after Sharks goalie injury, makes NHL debut

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:04am

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Kyle Chauvette, a 24-year-old goaltender from the University of New Hampshire, was signed to an amateur tryout agreement by the San Jose Sharks on Thursday after the team's starting goalie Yaroslav Askarov sustained a lower-body injury. Chauvette had to rush from his college team's playoff elimination the previous day to join the Sharks, making his NHL debut as the emergency backup goalie.

Why it matters

Chauvette's unexpected NHL debut highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports, where players can go from college hockey to the big leagues in a matter of days. His story also showcases the important role emergency backup goalies play in the NHL when injuries strike a team's regular netminders.

The details

Chauvette, a New Hampshire native and Boston Bruins fan, had to leave his college team's playoff game on Wednesday and drive an hour to Boston to join the Sharks. Despite the short notice, his family was able to attend his NHL debut. Chauvette had played three seasons at Union College before transferring to UNH, where he posted a .902 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average this season. He hopes to join an ECHL club and continue his professional hockey career.

  • Chauvette's college season ended on Wednesday with UNH's playoff elimination.
  • Chauvette was signed to an amateur tryout agreement by the Sharks on Thursday.

The players

Kyle Chauvette

A 24-year-old goaltender who played for the University of New Hampshire and was signed to an amateur tryout agreement by the San Jose Sharks after their starting goalie was injured.

Yaroslav Askarov

The San Jose Sharks' starting goaltender who sustained a lower-body injury, leading to Chauvette being signed as the emergency backup.

Alex Nedeljkovic

The Sharks' regular backup goaltender who helped guide Chauvette through the emotional experience of making his NHL debut as an emergency backup.

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What they’re saying

“My agent called me up and asked if I want to come back up to Boston for San Jose. I had an [econ final]. We had a team meeting at 3:00, and so I had to rush out, go to the rink, pack up my gear, and I was off to Boston.”

— Kyle Chauvette (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“Everything he does is just professional. In the short time I was with him, I learned so much from him. He was great to me. It's amazing to learn how he's so focused, but at the same time, he can be relaxed. [He can] just have fun and still enjoy the game.”

— Kyle Chauvette (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“Most of the game, it didn't feel real. But it was awesome. Great to get to experience that and be out there with some of those guys.”

— Kyle Chauvette (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“Stepping out onto that ice for warm-ups was just really cool. It's amazing. You're watching a game and you see how big the rink is, but when you're actually out there, it's massive. That was pretty cool.”

— Kyle Chauvette (sanjosehockeynow.com)

What’s next

Chauvette hopes to join an ECHL club and extend his hockey career into the professional ranks after his unexpected NHL debut with the Sharks.

The takeaway

Chauvette's story is a reminder that in the unpredictable world of professional sports, opportunities can arise unexpectedly, and players must be ready to seize them, even if it means rushing from a college final exam to the NHL in a matter of hours.