NHL requires every club to carry an emergency backup goalie
Emergency backups wear No. 00 and practise and travel with their clubs under the 2026-27 requirements.
The NHL requires each team to carry an emergency backup goalie for the 2026-27 season. NHL.com published the clubs’ selections on Oct. 2.
The eligibility rules exclude anyone who has appeared in an NHL game under a standard player contract, played more than 80 professional games or played professional hockey in the previous three seasons. Emergency backups wear No. 00, dress for games and practise and travel with their clubs.
Carolina’s choice is Jorge Alves, who also serves as the Hurricanes’ head equipment manager. Dusty Nickel returns as Calgary’s emergency backup while running a construction business and coaching with Apex Goaltending.
Minnesota selected Peter Thome and hired him as a hockey operations analyst on Aug. 25. New Jersey’s emergency backup is Kyle Shapiro.
