Eric Semborski (born June 1, 1993) is an American
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...
player who served as an emergency
goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...
for the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...
and
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...
during the
2016–17 NHL season
The 2016–17 NHL season was the 100th season of operation (99th season of play) of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams were competing in an 82-game regular season from October 12, 2016, to April 9, 2017. The 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs began ...
. He was substituted onto the ice, but the move was disallowed by the referee because the primary goalie was not injured. Semborski also served as an emergency backup goalie for the Blackhawks on December 3, 2016 when
Corey Crawford needed an emergency
appendectomy
An appendectomy, also termed appendicectomy, is a Surgery, surgical operation in which the vermiform appendix (a portion of the intestine) is removed. Appendectomy is normally performed as an urgent or emergency procedure to treat complicated acu ...
. Semborski dressed for the game and sat on the Blackhawks' bench but did not make an actual appearance in the game itself. The Blackhawks later thanked Semborski by gifting him a custom goalie mask, personalized
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc. is an American company that manufactures chewing gum, candy, and collectibles. Formerly based in New York City, Topps is best known as a leading producer of American Football Card, American football, Baseball card, baseb ...
trading card, and a brief video tribute at the
United Center
United Center is an indoor arena on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is home to the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). It is named ...
.
See also
*
David Ayres
David Ayres (; born August 12, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and current Head Coach of the Port Perry Lumberjacks of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. He achieved fame as the first emergency backup goaltender ...
– who in 2020 became the first emergency goalie to record an NHL win
*
Scott Foster – emergency goalie who played 14 minutes in relief for the Chicago Blackhawks on March 29, 2018
*
Jorge Alves – Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager who played as emergency goalie for his team on December 31, 2016
*
Tom Hodges – Backup goalie and life insurance salesman who played for the Anaheim Ducks on April 30, 2022
References
External links
*
*Sportsnet, , April 1, 2017
Living people
Temple University alumni
American men's ice hockey goaltenders
1993 births
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