Canadiens to have multiple EBUGs for 2026-27

A ‘goaltending by committee’ approach has become popular in the NHL in recent years, with some teams opting to more evenly distribute starts between two goaltenders as opposed to a traditional starter/backup setup.

Apparently, the Montreal Canadiens are extending that idea to their emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) situation. According to Renaud Lavoie, the Canadiens will have two EBUGs this season, with Nicolas Ruccia and Daniel Harvey serving in the role.

As part of the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement, each team must have their own designated emergency backup goalie at every game in case all of the team’s dressed goaltenders become unavailable. EBUGs must not have any NHL experience or be on a reserve list for an NHL team, and have appeared in 80 or fewer professional games in their career, including none in the past three seasons. EBUGs will don the number 00 should they ever get called upon.

Ruccia, 22, played for McGill University in Montreal last season. In 24 appearances for McGill, he posted a 12-8-3 record with a .919 save percentage and a 2.62 goals-against average.

Prior to playing for McGill, the Laval, Quebec native had a five-year junior career in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In his final junior season with the Charlottetown Islanders in 2024-25, Ruccia went 15-20-3 with a .892 SV% and a 3.13 GAA in 40 appearances.

Harvey has served as a video coach for Montreal since the 2022-23 season. He doesn’t seem to have much notable experience as a goaltender at an elite level, as no information about his goaltending career, whether as a professional or amateur, is available online.

The Canadiens have earned three points through two games so far this season, and will host the Carolina Hurricanes in their home opener on Tuesday to kick off a four-game homestand.