What happens if both of your goalies get injured in the same NHL game?

Question

Has this ever happened before?

I was watching a game between the Penguins and the Flames where there were two goalie injury time outs within a span of about a minute. The Penguin goalie landed on his ankle wrong while attempting a save and had to leave the game. The Flames goalie took a high stick to the neck, but was able to stay in.

But, suppose both of those incidents happened to one team and the high stick had been more serious. How would a team be able to continue play? The above happened in the second period, so it's not like you could just play with an empty net with half of the game remaining.

Answer 1

The answer is in Rule 15 of the NHL Rulebook Below:

Basically, once a goalie goes down, you can have the team start searching for a replacement. If you can find another goalie, he can dress and sit on the bench. When the backup is hurt, that new goalie will step in. (In some instances teams have signed people to one day contracts - the Canucks did this back in 03 when they signed a local college goalie to a one day contract, because all their minor league teams were too far away to get anyone on short notice - http://www.tennessean.com/sports/predators/archives/03/12/44105950.shtml?Element_ID=44105950 ).

If your team couldn't find a replacement by the time the backup went down, the referees will give your team a chance to dress someone (presumably another player), and have them warm up. The predators used Jamie Allison, a defenseman, as a backup goalie a while back when the starter was hurt.

I think that theoretically they can sign anyone around to a one day contract (unless that person's rights are owned by another team)...

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Rule 15

. . .

c. Each Team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at one time. The goalkeeper may be removed and another player substituted. Such substitute shall not be permitted the privileges of the goalkeeper.

d. Each Team shall have on its bench, or on a chair immediately beside the bench, a substitute goalkeeper who shall, at all times, be fully dressed and equipped ready to play.

The substitute goalkeeper may enter the game at any time following a stoppage of play, but no warm-up shall be permitted.

e. Except when both goalkeepers are incapacitated, no player in the playing roster in that game shall be permitted to wear the equipment of the goalkeeper.

f. In regular League and Playoff games, if both listed goalkeepers are incapacitated, that Team shall be entitled to dress and play any available goalkeeper who is eligible. This goalkeeper is eligible to sit on the player's bench, in uniform. No delay shall be permitted in taking his position in the goal, and he shall be permitted a two-minute warm-up. However, the warm-up is not permitted in the event a goalkeeper is substituted for a penalty shot.

(NOTE) In the event that the two regular goalkeepers are injured in quick succession, the third goalkeeper shall be provided with a reasonable amount of time to get dressed, in addition to a two-minute warm-up.

Answer 2

Back in the days of the original six, when teams only carried one goaltender, this occurred more frequently.

An emergency goalie was always on hand, but he could play for either team. This happened back in 1956 and 1957, when Lefty Wilson, trainer for the Detroit Red Wings, was summoned to replace injured goalies for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

Wilson's only goalie experience was in the minor leagues prior to becoming the Wings' trainer.

As a Leaf, Wilson played 13 minutes and didn't allow a goal. A year later he donned the pads for the Bruins and played against the Red Wings for 52 minutes, allowing one goal. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Wilson also played for the Red Wings on one occasion. He was in the net for 16 minutes against the Montreal Canadiens and held them scoreless.

"There was no way I wanted those guys to score on me," said Wilson. He didn't want to face them in the dressing room and be teased about how easy he was to score on.

Strange? Sure is. Thankfully, situations like that no longer occur, since each team carries two goaltenders. Should they both become incapacitated, the league has other provisions, already covered in the previous answers.

Answer 3

In the old days, teams had a designated fill-in goalie. Lester Patrick did this at least once for the Rangers in the 40s.

Answer 4

Goalkeeper - Each team shall be allowed one goalkeeper on the ice at one time. The goalkeeper may be removed and another player substituted. Such substitute shall not be permitted the privileges of the goalkeeper. Each team shall have on its bench, or on a chair immediately
beside the bench, a substitute goalkeeper who shall, at all times, be fully dressed and equipped ready to play. Except when both goalkeepers are incapacitated, no player in the
playing roster in that game shall be permitted to wear the equipment of the goalkeeper.
SECTION 2 - TEAMS NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES 2007-2008
7
In regular League and Playoff games, if both listed goalkeepers are incapacitated, that team shall be entitled to dress and play any available goalkeeper who is eligible. This goalkeeper is eligible to sit on the player’s bench, in uniform. In the event that the two regular goalkeepers are injured in quick succession, the third goalkeeper shall be provided with a reasonable amount of time to get dressed, in addition to a two-minute warm-up (except when he enters the game to
defend against a penalty shot). The recalling of minor league goalkeepers (as a result of suspensions incurred to both goalkeepers under Rule 11 – Goalkeeper’s Equipment) to ensure a complete lineup for subsequent games shall be deemed to be an emergency recall and subject to the
twenty-three (23) man roster limitations.

So I guess a player can dress. But just below that it says a third goalie can dress and have a 2 minute warm up.

Answer 5

Nice work, Incudork. I suppose the team would have to start the scramble to find a replacement for the back-up as soon as the first guy gets hurt. Just in case.
I've seen it happen where the back-up got hurt but the starter was able to come back in.

Answer 6

Well Calgary Flames have 3 goalies anyway but usally it is a Defense player that suits up. And no i've never seen this incident happen but i've always wanted to, of course not to my Sharks

Answer 7

A skater who hopefully played nets at some point in his hockey career will be "volunteered". The ref will give him time to don the gear and take some warm up shots. I don't actually know if there is a rule to cover the latter, or the ref just uses his judgement.

Answer 8

You are allowed by NHL rules to suit up one of the other players as the goalie. That person who suits up has to beone of the roster players that game.
Read rule 5.3 of the NHL rule book below.

Answer 9

Find the nearest minor hockey team and use their goalie.. LOL. Could you imagine a 10 year old kid playing in an nhl game?

Answer 10

Thank you for a question that is unique. I honest to god never thought of this scenario in all the years I have been watching hockey. Now that I have it in my head, I will not be able to get it out of my head until I get an official answer. Its like one of those songs you hear on the radio and can't figure it out.