NHL emergency backup goalie had to haul gear through busy Ontario traffic

One U-Sports goalie got his Christmas miracle early this holiday season, but he sure had to work for it to make his NHL debut.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg was injured in warmup before last night's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, prompting the team to call in an emergency backup goalie. There was no time to call up an actual prospect from the AHL, so instead, it was up to University of Ottawa goalie Zach Dietz.

Dietz was planning to attend the game as a fan and even wore a Josh Norris Senators jersey. However, he did not have a ride to the rink and had to run along the frigid roads outside the arena, a hockey bag full of gear slumped over his shoulder, to make it to the Canadian Tire Centre in time for puck drop.

Talk about dedication.

Zach Dietz (tonight’s EBUG at the Senators game) had to sprint to the arena with his gear to make it on time 🤣

(via @muggers_hockey)pic.twitter.com/0bnukGeFxC

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 15, 2024

The 22-year-old Dietz probably did not have an NHL career in mind heading into the night, as he had never been drafted into the pro leagues and had spent the last two seasons at the University of Ottawa. Before his U-Sports tenure, Dietz spent four seasons with the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL.

Don't let that fool you; he's had a great start to his season with the U of O as he sports a .930 save percentage through three games and has an undefeated 2-0-0 record thus far. Though fans weren't able to see him in action as he rode the pine throughout the entirety of Ottawa's 3-2 OT win over the Penguins.

The moment was reminiscent of another moment this season that saw Minnesota Wild call-up Travis Boyd traverse Calgary traffic to make it to his game on time.

It may have been a lot of work to get no playing time, but you have to respect the hustle and dedication that Dietz had to make sure that his name appeared on an NHL lineup sheet at least once in his lifetime.