What Happened
The NHL has moved to professionalize its emergency backup goaltender role for the 2026-27 season, according to Sportsnet. Brendan Bonello, a 27-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., is serving as Toronto's EBUG after previously helping the organization when an extra netminder was needed. Calgary's Dusty Nickel, who held the same role for the past five seasons, has received the permanent call.
Key Details
- 32 goaltenders are getting another opportunity through the professionalized EBUG position.
- Bonello played junior and university hockey plus a brief ECHL stint.
- Bonello grew up idolizing former Maple Leafs goaltender Ed Belfour.
- Nickel spent the last five seasons as Calgary's emergency backup before the permanent call.
What It Means
The change gives former minor leaguers and college netminders a defined, professional route to participate in the NHL rather than an ad-hoc arrangement. For Bonello and Nickel, it turns a sporadic practice role into a recognized position, though the on-ice duties of an emergency backup remain limited by the nature of the job.