The Colorado Avalanche have named assistant strength and conditioning coach Will Slohm as their emergency backup goalie for the upcoming 2026‑27 NHL season, taking advantage of a new league rule that requires each team to designate a backup net‑minder.
Slohm, 27, spent his playing years at Keene State College, where he posted a 40‑14‑1 record with three shutouts over his first three seasons in ACHA Division II and compiled a 3‑2 mark in six NCAA Division III appearances as a senior, before moving into a coaching role within the Avalanche organization.
NHL’s Emergency Backup Goalie Rules
The regulation mandates that the designated EBUG must have no NHL regular‑season or playoff experience, fewer than 80 professional games, and must have been out of professional play for at least three years, criteria that Slohm satisfies after his limited on‑ice career, a change from the previous practice of using volunteer arena staff as emergency goalies.
Because the EBUG can now participate in daily practices and morning skates, the Avalanche gain additional flexibility in managing goaltender minutes, and the roster can be adjusted at least 24 hours before any contest, allowing the team to fine‑tune its emergency options throughout the season.
This appointment marks the first time a coaching staff member has been tapped for the EBUG role, illustrating how the Avalanche are using the rule to add depth while maintaining continuity within the organization.