The EBUG Mandate
The National Hockey League has taken a decisive step toward standardising emergency goaltending by embedding a new clause in its latest collective bargaining agreement.
Under the rule, every franchise must maintain a dedicated Emergency Back‑Up Goalie, a player who is limited to no more than eighty professional appearances across any league.
The Minnesota Wild answered that mandate by appointing Peter Thome, a 29‑year‑old netminder whose résumé blends modest on‑ice minutes with a robust portfolio in hockey operations.
Thome’s Dual Role
Thome spent four seasons patrolling the blue line for the University of North Dakota before logging five games in the ECHL, a brief but telling stint that kept him under the eighty‑game threshold.
Beyond his playing days, Thome has carved out a parallel career in hockey administration, most recently serving as Director of Hockey Operations for the USHL’s Chicago Steel and, more recently, for the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds.
All EBUGs are required to sport the No. 00 jersey, a visual cue that signals their specialised status to fans and officials alike.
Implications for the League
In his new capacity, Thome will travel with the Wild’s roster, stepping onto the ice for occasional appearances while continuing to fulfil his off‑ice responsibilities. The ripple effect of the rule is already being felt, as clubs scramble to identify candidates who satisfy the game‑count cap while also fitting into broader organisational structures.