Game Dated Moments: The David Ayres Story

2019-2020 Upper Deck Game Dated Moments #54 David Ayres (Carolina Hurricanes)

Emergency Backup Goaltender David Ayres made NHL history during an incredible 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs (February, 2020).

After the truly unforgetable story of the 42-year-old zamboni driver/goalie/Emergency Backup Goaltender David Ayres, I just knew I had to pickup a card of his one of these days. 

Well, that day was today, my friends. 

For those who aren't aware of the story, David Ayes, a Toronto Marlies zamboni driver by day and Emergency Backup Goaltender (EBUG) by night, pulled off one of the most memorable stories in hockey history when he guarded the pipes for the Carolina Hurricanes to hang on for the dramatic 6-3 win in regulation. Ayres become the oldest NHL goalie to make their regular season debut and secure a win.

This 8-save effort by Ayres vaulted him into the spotlight overnight, changing his life forever. 

Besides the attention, autograph requests and endorsment deals, he also earned something else: Hockey Cards

While this may not be a primary goal for some, a player making the NHL does come with many perks, and one of them is having your face copied on a bunch if 2.5" by 3.5" pieces of cardboard... forever.

​Once I heard that Ayres would get some cards of his own, I knew I had to snag one for my goalie collection. After waiting over a year, I finally have one. 

I decided to go with his Upper Deck Game Dated Moments card since I really enjoy the look of the card. It's cheaper than his Young Guns rookie card, plus it has some notable information about his legendary NHL Debut so I can actually remember this stuff after I become old and grey. Maybe when I turn 99 years old, these cards will feel even more nostalgic?

For those who are unfamiliar with Upper Deck's Game Dated Moments set, here's a snippet from one of UD's blog posts after they re-introduced them back into the hobby in 2017:

More than twenty years ago, Upper Deck’s Game Dated Moments cards made their debut in NHL® trading card products featuring photography and callouts from key games during the previous season. Upper Deck is bringing back these popular trading cards with a new twist. Cards featuring the most memorable moments of NHL® action will be available every week through the company’s patent pending e-Pack platform.

As a beer league goalie myself, what Ayres accomplished was something that us beer league heroes could only dream about.

​While I'll never be able to live out my dream of playing in the NHL, I'm glad I could have a very small piece of this incredible (and truly hard to beleive) moment of NHL history. 

We'll be talking about this one for decades to come. 

Happy Collecting, 

​- Aaron / Creasecollector

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