The NHL’s new policy for the 2026‑27 season will finally put an end to the league’s beloved “emergency backup goalie” (EBUG) stories, mandating that every franchise keep a dedicated netminder on standby for unexpected injuries or illnesses. While the move promises greater roster stability, it also signals the retirement of some of hockey’s most unforgettable moments—like when 42‑year‑old Zdeno Chára’s cousin, a local amateur, stepped in for the Vancouver Canucks in 2018, or when 30‑year‑old Matt Dumba’s friend, a college player, made 20 saves for the Minnesota Wild in 2021. Fans will also recall the dramatic 2019 appearance of a high‑school student for the St. Louis Blues, who stopped a penalty shot in his lone NHL minute, and the 2020 heroics of a former arena staffer who kept the Detroit Red Wings in the game during a playoff push. The upcoming rule change will preserve these stories as nostalgic footnotes, even as the league moves toward a more professionalized approach to goaltending emergencies.

The 2026-27 NHL season will no longer feature any spontaneous emergency backup goaltender moments, with each franchise having an employed netminder in case of emergency. What are some of the best EBUG moments in NHL history?