BonesDT 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Can someone better explain this mystery of the Emergency Backup Goalies. There's a lot of articles on it, but I'm not getting a complete understanding. First of all, nobody ever explains why in the world would teams have beer-league goalies in their 40's like Joe Parker (who suited up for the Bruins once)? I cant imagine there is any kind of shortage of high-level AHL/CHL/NCAA goalies, or at least Junior A or retired NHL/AHL goalies. Apparently, even the NHL Goalie coaches can suit up - don't they think that's a better idea than a random beer leaguer with nothing close to NHL-level experience? Second of all, what are the rules once you are designated a 3rd-string Emergency Backup Goalie. Do you have to be present in the stadium for every home game or just within X miles of the stadium (assuming both pro goalies are healthy)? Are there certain activities prohibited during home game times (such as playing in a beer league game)? It's apparently extremely rare a 3rd-string Emergency Backup goalie ever has to suit up - every instance in history seems to be accounted for. But doesn't the EBG have to suit up as soon as one of the 2 pros is unavailable? - that seems like that could be a common occurrence - such as one of them getting hurt or being sick. I would think a 3rd-string goalie would have to suit up quite often every year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buzz_LightBeer 961 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 Sometimes it happens too close to game times to make it feasible to call someone up. If you're an AHL team who loses a goalie on game day, it's very easy to call around and find a D-3 guy to sit the bench in pads for free, in lieu of flying some kid in and home from the minors. Happened around us a few times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilPepe 24 Report post Posted October 3, 2017 What Buzz said. The further down you go the more often it happens as well. A few years back there was an echl team that always seemed to need a goalie for the weekend when they were in town. The call would go out to two or three of us and it basically went to whoever got there first. You can believe the starter would probably have had to die before the EBUG played, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted October 4, 2017 https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-backup-goalie-tales/c-284389510 Google makes life so easy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monty22 821 Report post Posted October 7, 2017 I've always loved reading/seeing the EBG stories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machinehead2k5 32 Report post Posted October 7, 2017 The Gladiators here in Atlanta had to use a 55ish year old man as the EBG a few seasons back b/c Mike Lee and Louis Domingue (now a starter? in PHX) would always be called up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
