David Nozzolillo, a 45-year-old banker from Orland Park, Illinois, had an ordinary Friday that turned extraordinary. After lunch at Hooters with coworkers—opting for naked wings and fries—he finished work from home. A missed call from the Chicago Blackhawks’ hockey operations changed everything. With goalies Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom sidelined by the flu, Nozzolillo was summoned as the emergency backup goalie, or EBUG.
Nozzolillo, a former Division III goalie at Lake Forest College and current beer league player, has served as one of the Blackhawks’ four designated EBUGs for four years. Typically, his role involves showing up for $100 to watch games at the United Center. This night, he dressed for action.
From banker to benchwarmer
Nozzolillo’s day started routinely. Working at Wintrust Bank, he and colleagues stayed close for lunch amid cold weather. “I don’t really like the food there, but begrudgingly did,” he recalled. “I tried to eat as clean as possible; I got the naked wings without any sauce or breading. Did get some fries. Turned out to be the pregame meal of champions.”
After work, a call from Danny Tranchida confirmed the crisis. Knight had the flu too, leaving the team short. Nozzolillo rushed home, only to find his gear soaking wet in the washer. A quick dryer cycle and a 30-minute drive later, he arrived at the United Center. A text confirming his jersey spelling hit him: “As soon as I got that I was like ‘Oh s---,’” he said. “It’s happening.”
He signed a one-day amateur tryout contract for $0, correcting minor errors like his birthdate and catch hand. The form listed “Dave,” which he hates—“Anybody that knows me knows that I hate Dave. I’m David.” He let it slide to stay focused.
The locker room buzzed. Equipment staff swarmed: “Hey, do you need socks? Do you need this? Can I sharpen your skates? Do you need some water?” Cameras rolled, players introduced themselves. Nozzolillo felt the whirlwind.
Locker room chaos amid flu outbreak
The Blackhawks faced a brutal flu season. Coach Jeff Blashill noted, “It definitely is as bad as I’ve seen it kind of rip through a locker room. It was just taking down guy by guy.” Already down four players, they called up Drew Commesso from AHL affiliate Rockford. Knight arrived sick and was sent home, making Commesso the starter and Nozzolillo the backup.
Flu hits goalies hard. “My understanding was, if you weren’t puking, you were playing,” Nozzolillo said. The compressed NHL schedule before the Olympic break exacerbated issues during virus season.
EBUGs are an NHL quirk since 2016, post-Florida Panthers’ 2015 scare. They ensure experienced goalies over position players. Famous ones include Zamboni driver David Ayers (2020 win for Hurricanes) and accountant Scott Foster (2019 shutout stint for Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets).
Foster, another Chicago EBUG, skated morning drills that day. Defenseman Alex Vlasic said, “When I saw Scott Foster on the ice, it was like I saw a celebrity. I remember when he came in and was a legend.”
Nozzolillo suited up, took warmups, and sat bench during the 5-1 loss to Alex Ovechkin-led Capitals. For details on similar tales, check our coverage of notable EBUG moments.
Warmups and game-day nerves
Warmups tested Nozzolillo. He stepped in as 20 skaters fired pucks. “He’s literally Goldberg [from Mighty Ducks] taking a million shots at once,” defenseman Connor Murphy laughed. “He took it like a champ.”
Nozzolillo’s stick tape showed no marks—pure top-corner barrage. “I still made some good saves, I think. It was just nuts.”
During the game, he stayed calm. Second intermission panic hit when Commesso’s gear sat alone post-bathroom break amid another sick player. “Is he hurt? Is he sick? Am I playing?” Nozzolillo wondered. Commesso reappeared; Nozzolillo offered, “Nice period, keep it up.”
Family goalie legacy: brothers and nieces Isabel and Adelyn play. “This finally puts to bed the debate of who the best goalie is,” he joked.
GM Kyle Davidson noted the spot’s toughness for young Commesso: “From doing morning skate in Rockford and then coming to this game… And also with the EBUG, probably you’re getting left in for as many goals you let in.”
The end of an era for EBUGs
Nozzolillo’s night may be among the last. The 2026-27 CBA ends local EBUGs, mandating full-time traveling replacement goalies without NHL experience or recent pro games.
Teams seek juniors or college players for dual roles like equipment or comms. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said decisions hinge on other duties, as emergencies are rare.
Nozzolillo has two more call dates this season, likely uneventful. Post-game, the team flew to Nashville. He told them wearing the jersey was an honor.
Saturday, Commesso earned his first NHL win, a shutout with 37 saves. The Blackhawks committed defensively after Friday.
Lessons from a once-in-a-lifetime shift
Nozzolillo’s story captures hockey’s unpredictability. A banker turned NHL backup highlights EBUG magic, soon to fade. For the full account, see ESPN’s feature.
It reminds fans: everyday folks can touch the pros. As EBUGs evolve, moments like this—gear rush, warmup barrage, bench calm—become cherished lore. What backstories will the new replacements bring?
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.