Every NHL team will now carry a No. 00 emergency goalie home and away

NHL teams are going to be required to carry an EBUG during the 2026-27 season, with them distinguished very differently from the traditional NHL jersey system.

There once was a time when NHL teams needed to scramble to find emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) when their typical starting tandem goes down due to injury, and their replacements are unable to make the games in time due to travel, weather, or other factors.

Famously, the Maple Leafs were on the losing end of an EBUG when David Ayres - a Toronto building operator - had to step in for the Carolina Hurricanes, and ended up being the first EBUG to win a game, and the oldest player to win his NHL debut; doing so at 42 years old.

The EBUG model is no longer the fan in the stands

Unfortunately for fans who love to see that type of bizarre scenarios, it's not going to happen anymore. Rules are now put in place where teams are required to sign an EBUG prior to the season, and have them follow them through the season as opposed to on a game-by-game basis.

It was also revealed by TSN and The Athletic reporter Chris Johnston that all EBUG goaltenders will wear the same number to distinguish themselves differently from traditional NHL players - wearing the double-zero:

Further to this, it sounds like every EBUG is required to wear No. 00 for their NHL team this season. As a reminder: Everyone will carry an emergency backup home and road this season. Those goalies can't have NHL experience or more than 80 pro games.

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Now, it still does give off the allure of having an amateur goaltender appear in a professional game as the EBUG can't have any NHL experience, and 80 or less pro games. Professional leagues include the AHL, ECHL, or any of the overseas professional leagues such as the KHL, SHL, and SM-Liiga.

The NHL seemed to understand that teams needed to make sure they had as much insurance as possible and wanted to implement a rule that would allow them to make sure they are prepared ahead of time in case of emergency.

The 00 jersey number gives EBUGs a true identity

Arguably one of the coolest parts of this entire situation is the fact that we get to see double-zero being used as an indicator. It's very, very rare to see that number combination used in professional sports, with only a handful of players throughout all of sports using it.

There have been some NHL players who used it however, with New York Rangers goaltender John Davidson using it in the 1978 season, and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Martin Biron also used to wear it before the NHL pulled that number from usage due to it causing issues with their statistical tracking while causing several glitches.

But in bringing it back, it's also a great way to give the EBUGs an identity of their own. It's not just finding a jersey and getting to put it on, but you have a designated number with your name on the back - it's still an accomplishment that these players can hold onto for the rest of their lives.

It wasn't that the NHL wanted to eliminate the excitement behind using an EBUG, as there are still going to be intense and exciting stories to follow if any of these emergencies occur. But instead, they wanted to give them a proper role while ensuring that teams are not going to be left hung out to dry at the last minute.

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