- Brett Epp became the first full-time EBUG to dress for an NHL game Thursday in Edmonton
- Tristan Jarry was sick, so Matt Tomkins started and Epp took the backup spot in No. 00
- Read below for how the new EBUG rule works and where Epp came from
Brett Epp made NHL history in Edmonton on Thursday night without facing a shot.
The Oilers activated their emergency backup goalie and dressed him for the 5-4 loss to the Ducks, the first time a team has dressed a full-time EBUG in an NHL game. Tristan Jarry was out sick, and Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen are both hurt. Matt Tomkins started in net, and Epp sat on the bench behind him.
Edmonton placed forward Isaac Howard on injured reserve to open a roster spot and announced the move Thursday. Epp is 29 and signed with the club this past summer as its EBUG.
Watch the Oilers’ video of Epp’s walk out and warmup lap:
This is the first season NHL teams are required to carry an EBUG on the roster. The goaltenders travel with their club and wear No. 00. They can’t have played in the NHL under a standard contract, can’t have more than 80 games of professional experience, and can’t have suited up professionally in the three previous seasons.
Before this year, the home team supplied an emergency goalie for both benches. That amateur would get the pads on and wait in case someone went down. Teams spent the offseason filling the new job, including the Lightning with Kyle Konin and the Flames with Dusty Nickel.
Epp comes out of MacEwan University, where he played for the Griffins in 2024-25. Oilers goalie coach Peter Aubry talked about why the team liked him.
“The big reason he’s here is the guys like him. Fortunately, we had a free peek last year where Brett had come out and done a few practices with us, so that was a good thing and gives everyone a little bit more comfort.”
Tomkins got the work. The 4th-string goalie had been recalled Oct. 23 when Levi went on injured reserve, and he made 16 saves against Anaheim. Leon Draisaitl cut it to 5-4 with 44 seconds left, but the Oilers couldn’t find the tying goal.
Epp never left the bench, and his night was still a first.
