Leafs designate Brendan Bonello as EBUG for 2026-27

A new face is prepared to don the blue and white, if called upon.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ training camp began on Thursday, it was reported that Brendan Bonello has been designated as the team’s emergency backup goaltender for the 2026-27 season.

The news comes as the NHL turns the page to its new collective bargaining agreement. Along with a playoff salary cap and a looser dress code, teams must now have full-time emergency backups on staff, rather than a person waiting in the stands on game nights, in case either team in action needs someone to strap on the pads on a whim.

Per the league’s rules, EBUGs must wear 00.

Bonello certainly isn’t unfamiliar to the organization. Over the past few years, he has been a practice goaltender for both the Leafs and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. In fact, the Mississauga, Ont. native has been an EBUG for the Marlies a few times, including dressing with the San Jose Barracuda, the San Jose Sharks‘ top farm team, once during the 2024-25 season.

The 27-year-old brings significant top-end experience to the newly created position. He spent parts of five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, spending time with both the Saginaw Spirit and Kingston Frontenacs. In 96 regular-season appearances, Bonello posted a record of 14-62-6, with a 4.39 goals-against average and a .875 save percentage.

After his junior career, Bonello joined the university ranks, spending two years on York University’s men’s team. He appeared in just three games, going 1-2-0 with a 2.36 GAA and .939 SV% over that span.

The Leafs open their 2026-27 season on Sept. 29 against the rival Montreal Canadiens.