NHL Introduces Emergency Backup Goalies | Calgary Flames News

0:00It's September 5th. This is Calgary Flames News Today, your AI-powered team coverage. The National Hockey League is rolling out a new rule for the upcoming season, starting in 2026-2027. Every team will have a dedicated emergency backup goalie, or EBU. These goalies can't have played in too many pro games, or recently in the pros, and they can't be under contract with another NHL team. The Calgary Flames are keeping it in the family, so to speak. Their new full-time EBUG is Dusty Nichol. He's already been filling that role for the Flames and their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, for a few years now. Nichol, who is 35, has actually suited up as a backup goalie for the Flames a couple of times when the main guys were unavailable. It's not his only gig either. When he's not on call for hockey, he runs his own construction business and coaches young goalies. He'll be wearing the number 00 for his official EBUG duties, a new requirement under the league's updated regulations.

1:00This move standardizes the emergency backup position across all 32 teams. It's a pretty interesting development, making sure there's always a qualified goalie ready to go, even in unexpected situations.