On Saturday afternoon few in the NHL knew the name David Ayres.
But after the 42-year-old emergency goalie was forced into action in an emergency role for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, he is the talk of the league on Sunday.
Ayres stopped eight out of 10 shots (and recorded a shot on goal of his own) in the Hurricanes’ stunning 6-3 win.
Now, if you want, you can buy an Ayres No. 90 t-shirt through the Hurricanes’ team shop.
The description from Carolina Pro Shop:
The Hurricanes also add that Ayres will receive royalties from the sales, while a portion of the proceeds will go a kidney foundation. Ayres underwent a kidney transplant in 2004.
He entered the game after Hurricanes goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazek both exited the game due to injury.
He has served as a fill-in goalie for the Maple Leafs during practices and has also dressed as an emergency backup in the AHL, where he also is a Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies.
The Hurricanes also announced that Ayres will be in Raleigh on Tuesday night to sound the siren before their game against the Dallas Stars.
Related: Hurricanes’ emergency goalie David Ayres beats Toronto Maple Leafs
—
Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.