Ayres is the emergency backup goalie (EBUG) for the Carolina Hurricanes, who are currently locked in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. David Ayres was no different. When Jonathan bernier made his debut as the starting goalie for the Toronto Marlies last week, another goaltender was making a different kind of debut as his backup. David Ayres is a 42-year-old Zamboni driver and, as of Saturday night, he is a man who has won a game as a netminder in the NHL. David Ayres became a hockey legend Saturday night when he got a 6-3 win for the Carolina Hurricanes over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto zamboni driver David Ayres got the call as emergency goalie during the game between the Leafs and Hurricanes, and earned the win for Carolina. ... Meet David Ayres, the Hurricanes' emergency goalie. Since stepping into the crease to secure an NHL win on Saturday night for the Carolina Hurricanes, the 42-year-old last resort goaltender has become an overnight phenomenon.Ayres made all the usual stops in hockey media radio and television shows first, the made his American late night television debut on Monday. Sunday, 23 February 2020 Emergency backup goalie David Ayers earned his first career NHL win in relief and Warren Foegele scored twice as Carolina picked up an improbable 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday after the Hurricanes lost netminders James Reimer and Petr Mrazek to injury. Meet David Ayres – the emergency goalie who made NHL history on Saturday night. Other kids could chase glory in the pursuit of scoring. What a whirlwind week for now-household name emergency backup goalie David Ayres. After Hurricanes goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazek suffered injuries on … (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football) Ayers, 42, is a maintenance operations manager at Mattamy Athletic Centre and practice goalie for the Maple Leafs and their American Hockey League affiliate in Toronto. According to Sports Illustrated, the Coca-Cola Coliseum zamboni driver was rushed into action in the net after the two goalies on the Hurricanes went down with injuries. David Ayres will never forget his night in the National Hockey League.And the 42-year-old netminder will never forget when the incredible nature of the once-in-a-lifetime moment dawned on him. The mother of Carolina Hurricanes emergency goalie David Ayres brought her son to tears during a television appearance with him Monday. Emergency goalie David Ayres an unlikely star: 'I could not ask for much more' Terry Koshan More from Terry Koshan.

Published: February 24, 2020.

Updated: February 24, 2020 9:27 AM EST. David Ayres, 42, became the feel-good moment of this NHL season after entering the game on an emergency basis and getting a win for Carolina. David Ayres, Emergency Hockey Goalie, Gets Day Named For Him In North Carolina The Zamboni driver will be honoured on David Ayres Day in Raleigh, N.C. By the time he was 6, he knew he wanted to be a goalie. Emergency goalie David Ayres helps Hurricanes defeat Maple Leafs in wild NHL debut The 42-year-old -- who occasionally drives a Zamboni -- beat the team that employs him as a practice goalie He began playing when he was about 3.