Sometimes, it feels like the league is anti-fun. There have been some incredible Emergency Backup Goaltender (EBUG) stories throughout the years. One of the first was Scott Foster with the Chicago Blackhawks. Of course, the most famous involves the Carolina Hurricanes, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and David Ayres on a fateful night in late February 2020.
The league has mandated that all 32 teams carry an EBUG this year, eliminating the circumstances that have led to those famous examples. They can't have more than 80 games of professional experience, and they can't have played a second of NHL hockey under a standard contract, among other rules. They'll also get to wear #00.
On Friday morning, among the multiple front office changes that the team announced, the Hurricanes declared that head equipment manager Jorge Alves would assume the role as the EBUG for the group. He's already traveling with the team for every game, so Alves was an obvious pick to do so. Not to mention, Alves has experience as an EBUG already.
On New Year's Eve 2016, Alves was the team's backup for a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Cam Ward made the start, but Eddie Lack was out, so Alves was dressed after signing a professional try-out with the team before the game. He hadn't played in a professional game in over a decade. Losing 3-1 with 7.6 seconds left, Bill Peters put Alves into the game, marking his NHL debut.
Obviously, the goal is for Alves not to be needed for anything other than the team's equipment needs, though you never know when a situation will arise and an EBUG is called upon to save the day. It wouldn't surprise me if the Canes are the only team whose EBUG has any NHL experience, even if it's just under eight seconds.
Two former netminders earn new roles, highlighting a few more changes
Alves' appointment as the Canes' EBUG wasn't the only notable change to the organization on Friday. Long-time athletic trainer Doug Bennett has stepped down after 16 seasons with the team, ending his run on top and with his name on the Stanley Cup. The team announced Donnie Fuller as the new head athletic trainer, coming to Raleigh after working for the Wild and US Men's National Team.
Cam Ward also earned a new title within the organization. After working as a goalie scout, Ward is now an assistant goalie development coach. The team specified that he'll be working with goalies on loan to the organization's ECHL team, the Greensboro Gargoyle. Ward's reputation precedes him, so having a long-time NHLer developing the future is a big deal.
He's not the only former goalie earning a new title. Dustin Tokarski has joined the organization as a goalie scout for both the amateurs and pros. Tokarski played his last six NHL games for the Canes during the 2024-25 season, joining the team during a rough patch health-wise. He went 4-2-0 with .902 save percentage, a 2.18 GAA, and a shutout.
There were also a few AHL coaching additions as well. RJ Enga was announced by the Chicago Wolves as their new assistant coach, helping to fill the bench next to the boss, Spiros Anastas. Enga was an assistant at St. Cloud State University for the last five years and has ties to Wolves captain Josiah Slavin, who he coached at Colorado College. A lot of moving pieces means hockey is close.
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