Oilers first NHL team to dress a full-time emergency backup goalie
· Yahoo Sports
EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 5: Emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) Brett Epp #00 of the Edmonton Oilers stands for the singing of the national anthem prior to the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place on November 5, 2026, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Visit h-doctor.club for more information.
NHLI via Getty Images
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers became the first NHL team to dress a full-time emergency backup goalie Thursday night for their game against against Anaheim.
Brett Epp was in uniform while fourth-string goalie Matt Tomkins started for the Oilers. Tristan Jarry was out due to illness and Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen are injured.
This is the first season NHL teams have been required to have EBUGs on rosters. The goaltenders, who travel with their club and wear No. 00, can’t have previously played in the NHL under a standard contract, must have 80 games or less of professional experience, and can’t have suited up professionally over the three preceding campaigns.
Before this season, home teams were tasked with providing an EBUG in the event either side suffered an in-game goaltending injury or illness.