David Ayres (; born August 12, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and former head coach of the
Port Perry Lumberjacks of the
Provincial Junior Hockey League
The Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) is a Canadian junior ice hockey, junior ice hockey league spanning parts of Southern Ontario. The PJHL is the third tier of the Ontario Hockey Association and is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federa ...
.
While working as a building operator and
Zamboni
An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device for cleaning and smoothing the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by American inventor and engineer Frank Zamboni in 1949 in Paramount, ...
driver for the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
, Ayres became the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
'
emergency back-up goaltender (EBUG) during a
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
game against the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
, which the Hurricanes won. Ayres is the only EBUG in NHL history to enter a game as a substitute and be credited with a win. Ayres is also the oldest NHL goaltender to win his regular-season debut, at age 42.
Early and personal life
Ayres is a native of
Whitby, Ontario
Whitby is a town in Regional Municipality of Durham, Durham Region in Ontario, Canada. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Ajax, Ontario, Ajax and west of Oshawa, on the north shore of Lake Ontario and is home to the headquarters of D ...
, and grew up playing youth
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
and attending hockey camps in the town. His late father, Bob, and his brother, Chris, were also goaltenders.
He became ill and required a
kidney transplant
Kidney transplant or renal transplant is the organ transplant of a kidney into a patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD). Kidney transplant is typically classified as deceased-donor (formerly known as cadaveric) or living-donor transplantat ...
(donated by his mother, Mary) in 2004.
In 2017, Ayres married his wife, Sarah. In a social media post in 2022, Sarah announced that they have separated and filed for divorce.
Ayres worked as a building operator at Ricoh Coliseum (now
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Coca-Cola Coliseum (also or formerly known as CNE Coliseum, Royal Coliseum, Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto Coliseum, or Coliseum) is an arena at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, used for agricultural displays, ice hockey, and trade shows. ...
) in
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
, which is the home arena for the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
, the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
farm team of the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
. His job responsibilities occasionally included maintenance and operating an
ice resurfacer
An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device for cleaning and smoothing the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by American inventor and engineer Frank Zamboni in 1949 in Paramount, C ...
, which gave him the "
Zamboni
An ice resurfacer is a vehicle or hand-pushed device for cleaning and smoothing the surface of a sheet of ice, usually in an ice rink. The first ice resurfacer was developed by American inventor and engineer Frank Zamboni in 1949 in Paramount, ...
driver" moniker used in news articles about his NHL debut.
The Marlies equipment man found out he was a goalie and coach, so head coach
Sheldon Keefe
Sheldon Keefe (born September 17, 1980) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 47th overall, by the T ...
started using him as a goaltender at practice when an extra man was needed, as did the Maple Leafs.
Hockey career
Ayres played eight games with the
Norwood Vipers of the
Allan Cup Hockey
Allan Cup Hockey (ACH), also known as the OHA Senior “AAA” Hockey League, is a senior ice hockey league with three teams in Southern Ontario. The league was founded in 1990 as the Southwestern Senior "A" Hockey League. It is governed by th ...
League in 2014. As a goaltender, he allowed 58 goals, had a .777 save percentage and an 0–8 record.
Ayres has served as a backup to both the
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
and
Charlotte Checkers
The Charlotte Checkers are a professional ice hockey team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the American Hockey League (AHL), and are the top minor league affiliate of the ...
in the
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL), the primary affiliates of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes, respectively.
NHL appearance
On February 22, 2020, both of the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
' goaltenders,
James Reimer
James Reimer (; born March 15, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Reimer has also played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, ...
and
Petr Mrázek
Petr Mrázek (; born 14 February 1992) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL).
He was selected in the fifth round, 141st overall, by the Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Dr ...
, were injured during a game against the Maple Leafs. Ayres entered the game during the second period as the emergency backup goaltender, after signing a one-game contract with the NHL.
Donning
Kasimir Kaskisuo's old
Toronto Marlies
The Toronto Marlies are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. The Marlies are owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a c ...
helmet and pads, and wearing a Maple Leafs t-shirt under his equipment, he entered the game at 8:41 left in the 2nd period with a 3–1 lead. He allowed goals on the first two shots that he faced before stopping the next eight shots on goal, along with recording one shot on goal, to help seal a 6–3 win for Carolina. He became the first emergency backup to enter a game in the NHL since
Scott Foster in 2018.
The Carolina Hurricanes celebrated by spraying water after the game on Ayres. Ayres also became the oldest goaltender (at 42 years, 194 days) to win his NHL regular-season debut, and for this, the
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame () is a museum and hall of fame located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League (NHL) records, memorabilia and National Hockey Le ...
was given his game-used goalie stick.
The record had been held by
Hugh Lehman
Frederick Hugh "Old Eagle Eyes" Lehman (October 27, 1885 – April 12, 1961) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He started his ice hockey career playing for the Pembroke Lumber Kings and the Berlin Dutchmen. In 1911, Lehman joine ...
since 1927 at 41 years 21 days.
Ayres was named
first star of the game and kept his game-worn jersey and game puck.
Had he signed a Professional Try-Out Agreement, he would have been paid $500 for the game,
but Ayres said after the game that under the terms of his contract he was not paid.
[ Reimer also gave him an autographed goalie stick, and ]Rod Brind'Amour
Roderic Jean Brind'Amour (; born August 9, 1970) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).
He was selected in the first round, ninth overa ...
, Carolina's coach, gave Ayres an autographed bottle of wine. His debut occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice
The "Miracle on Ice" was an ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. It was played between the hosting United States and the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men's ice hockey t ...
. Carolina Hurricanes' forward Sebastian Aho stated teammates pooled together and gave Ayres a little bit of money. Ontario Premier Doug Ford
Douglas Robert Ford Jr. (born November 20, 1964) is a Canadian politician and businessman who has served as the 26th and current premier of Ontario and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party since 2018. He represents the Toronto rid ...
called Ayres to congratulate him on his performance.
Following the game, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that they would be selling t-shirts with Ayres' name and jersey number 90, with royalties going to Ayres and a portion of the proceeds being donated to a kidney foundation of Ayres' choice.
Ayres was invited to sound the siren at the start of the Carolina Hurricanes home game, on February 25. While in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper
Roy Asberry Cooper III ( ; born June 13, 1957) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 75th List of governors of North Carolina, governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), De ...
declared Ayres, a Canadian citizen, an honorary citizen of the state of North Carolina, and Raleigh
Raleigh ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, second-most populous city in the state (after Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte) ...
honoured him by naming February 25, 2020, "David Ayres Day" in the City of Raleigh.
Post-hockey career
On October 5, 2021, it was announced that David Ayres had joined the CBD company CaniBrands as a brand ambassador.
On October 26, 2021, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that James Corden
James Kimberley Corden (born 22 August 1978) is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, singer, and television host. In the United Kingdom, he is best known for co-writing and starring in the critically acclaimed BBC sitcom '' Gavin & S ...
would produce a movie based on David Ayres’ story that would become a Disney feature film. It is also expected that David Ayres will play himself in several scenes of the movie.
Ayres made his coaching debut as head coach of the SPHL
The SPHL (formerly the Southern Professional Hockey League) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league based in Huntersville, North Carolina, with teams located primarily in the southeastern United States as well as Illinois and India ...
’s Vermilion County Bobcats on April 7, 2022 against the Evansville Thunderbolts at the Ford Center, but was replaced by season's end.
On August 12, 2022, the Port Perry Lumberjacks announced David Ayres as their head coach for the 2022–23 season. After going 10-28-4 and getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Uxbridge Bruins, he was not brought back for the 2023-24 season.
Career statistics
Regular season
See also
* Jorge Alves (ice hockey)
Jorge Alves (pronounced ''George Ahlves''; born January 30, 1979) is an American equipment manager for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is best known for playing goaltender for the Hurricanes at the very end of one ...
– Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager who played as a backup goalie in 2016
* Matt Berlin – Backup goalie and college student who played for the Edmonton Oilers in 2023
* Scott Foster (ice hockey)
Scott Foster (born January 17, 1982) is a Canadian accountant and amateur ice hockey goaltender. He appeared in one game for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) near the end of the 2017–18 season as an emergency goalten ...
– Backup goalie and accountant who played for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017
* Tom Hodges (ice hockey)
Thomas Hodges (born July 25, 1994) is a British-American life insurance salesman and amateur ice hockey player. He appeared for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the team's final game of the 2021–22 season as an emergen ...
– Backup goalie and life insurance salesman who played for the Anaheim Ducks in 2022
* Lester Patrick
Curtis Lester Patrick (December 31, 1883 – June 1, 1960) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach associated with the Victoria Aristocrats/Cougars of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA; Western Hockey League (WHL) after ...
– former New York Rangers coach who, at age 44, played in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals for the team as an emergency goalie
* Steve Dangle - Canadian sports analyst, author, and Maple Leafs super fan, known for his meltdown over Ayers' appearance in aforementioned Hurricanes vs. Maple Leafs game
*List of players who played only one game in the NHL
This is a list of ice hockey players who have played only one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1917–18 to the present. This list does not count those who were on the active roster for one game but never actually played, or players w ...
References
External links
*
Honorary Citizenship Proclamation for David Ayres
by Governor Roy Cooper
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayres, David
1977 births
Living people
Canadian ice hockey goaltenders
Carolina Hurricanes players
Kidney transplant recipients
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Ice hockey people from Whitby, Ontario
Undrafted National Hockey League players