A Half-Century EBUG

There are times when a professional hockey team is forced to make a tough decision when it comes to personnel. We're not talking about trades or cutting players, though. Instead, we're talking about bringing in an emergency back-up goaltender - an EBUG - when all other resources have been exhausted. The AHL's Henderson Silver Knights ran into that problem tonight as Jiri Patera was recalled by the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights following an injury to Logan Thompson, leaving the Silver Knights with just Isaiah Seville to guard their net for a game against Coachella Valley in Palm Springs. With the ECHL's Savannah Ghost Pirates being on the opposite side of North America, the Henderson Silver Knights were in a pinch.

Normally, home teams in the AHL supply the EBUG for both teams during game, so it could be expected that Henderson would have asked if Coachella Valley's designated EBUG could dress for them. It's an entirely reasonable request with Henderson being on the road and in dire straits when it came to having two dressed goalies for the game, but the Silver Knights went in a different direction: a 50 year-old former NHL goaltender!

The Henderson Silver Knights turned inward to search for their emergency back-up goaltender, and they signed 50 year-old goaltending coach Fred Brathwaite to a professional tryout contract so they could have two experienced netminders ready to go for tonight's game! Wearing #34 as seen above, Brathwaite was in uniform and on the bench for the start of tonight's game!

It's rather amazing there aren't more photos of Brathwaite in uniform tonight, but there is some rather unconventional video proof of Brathwaite sitting at the end of the Henderson Silver Knights' bench to confirm that he was ready to go if needed. He didn't see action in this game as his final stats show zeroes across the board, but one has to wonder if Brathwaite still has some fight in him. He's coaching the Silver Knights' goaltenders daily so the skills are still there, but there will certainly be a slowing of reaction time thanks to his age. Could Brathwaite have stepped into the game? Yes, but to what extent might have been the biggest question that won't get an answer. I doubt we'll get one any time soon as the Silver Knights are expected to fix their goalie woes ASAP.

Regardless of Brathwaite's lack of minutes tonight, the Henderson Silver Knights fell 6-3 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds. You can catch glimpses of Brathwaite on the bench in this highlight reel.
I'm not saying that Isaiah Saville can't handle the AHL workload, but, if you're an experienced goaltender looking for work, you may want to get in contact with the Henderson Silver Knights as soon as possible. Even if you don't get signed by the Silver Knights, there's a good chance they'll keep your information on-hand in case the Golden Knights organization suffers another goalie injury.

If you're 50 years old and already work for the Henderson Silver Knights, you may not want to give up your day job. It's not to say that Fred Brathwaite couldn't do the job, but retirees need not apply.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!