The End of the EBUG Era

NHL to replace amateur emergency backup goalies with full-time team employees

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:09pm

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The NHL is eliminating the use of amateur emergency backup goalies (EBUGs) and will instead require teams to have a full-time EBUG on staff to serve in that capacity for both home and away games starting in the 2026-27 season. This change comes after several memorable instances of EBUGs seeing NHL game action over the past decade, including a Zamboni driver and a university student suiting up and playing.

Why it matters

The EBUG system has provided some of the most unique and memorable moments in recent NHL history, with little-known players getting the chance to live out their NHL dreams. However, the league has decided to professionalize the role to ensure teams have a reliable emergency option available at all times.

The details

The EBUG has been a non-roster goaltender made available for emergency situations, usually a local goalie with competitive playing experience. In the rare event an EBUG gets into a game, they sign a short-term Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) or Professional Tryout (PTO) to become eligible. While the system has worked well, there have been some issues, like in 2015 when the Florida Panthers nearly had to use their goalie coach in a game. The new CBA change will require each team to have a full-time EBUG who will serve in that role for both home and away games.

  • The new EBUG rule will go into effect starting with the 2026-27 NHL season.
  • In 2015, the Florida Panthers nearly had to use their goalie coach in a game due to injuries to their two goalies.
  • The first EBUG to see game action in the modern era was the Carolina Hurricanes' equipment manager Jorge Alves, who played 7.6 seconds in 2016.
  • In 2020, Zamboni driver David Ayres suited up for the Carolina Hurricanes and backstopped them to a 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs.
  • Several other notable EBUG appearances have occurred in recent years, including accountant Scott Foster for the Blackhawks in 2018 and university students Jett Alexander and Matt Berlin.

The players

Tom Comunale

An Outside Sales Representative at 84 Lumber by day and former UCONN goalie who served as an EBUG for the Penguins.

Jeff Sewick

One of the Penguins' EBUGs in recent seasons.

Jeff Vayda

One of the Penguins' EBUGs in recent seasons.

Roberto Luongo

The Florida Panthers' starting goaltender who had to rush back from the hospital to play in a 2015 game after the team's backup was injured.

Al Montoya

The Florida Panthers' backup goaltender who suffered a groin injury in the 2015 game, leading to the team nearly having to use their goalie coach.

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What they’re saying

“I keep my phone handy during intermissions just in case there was an injury that was not obvious during the previous period.”

— Tom Comunale, Former EBUG for the Penguins

“I cannot remember which goalie of theirs got hurt, but he did not come back for the second period, so I had to dress for the second and third period. The game went into overtime and a shootout too.”

— Tom Comunale, Former EBUG for the Penguins

What’s next

With only a few home games remaining this season, it is not likely that Comunale, Sewick, or Vayda will ever see any official NHL action as EBUGs.

The takeaway

The EBUG system has provided some of the most unique and memorable moments in recent NHL history, but the league is now moving to professionalize the role to ensure teams have a reliable emergency option available at all times, ending the era of little-known players getting the chance to live out their NHL dreams.