When an NHL goalie is hurt, the response depends on when it happens. During a game, the injured goalie must either be ready to play immediately or be replaced. For a longer absence, the club can use injured reserve (IR) and replace the player on its roster. An emergency goalie is a separate, limited option—not a routine extra backup. The rules below distinguish the 2025-26 in-game rule from the emergency-goalie staffing change announced for 2026-27.
What happens when a goalie is injured during a game?
Under Rule 8.2 of the NHL’s 2025-26 Official Rules, an injured or ill goalie must be ready to resume play immediately or be replaced by a substitute. The referee does not grant extra time for the goalie to recover or warm up, in either a regular-season or playoff game.
Medical attention can require a substitution
If play stops because of the injury and the goalie has to go to the players’ bench for medical attention, the goalie must be substituted. If a trainer attends to the goalie on the ice without undue delay, the goalie may remain in the game.
A replaced goalie must wait for a stoppage to return
A goalie replaced during play cannot resume the position until the next stoppage. The immediate decision is therefore whether the goalie can continue under the rule or whether a substitute takes over; a replaced goalie cannot simply re-enter while play is live.
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- ADJUSTABLE FIT: Adjustable straps allow for a great and secure fit. With the design of our quick-snap elastic straps, you can adjust this hockey mask to fit virtually any head size. With its sturdy design, this goalie mask will keep its shape even through the most challenging games.
- DURABLE & SAFE: This hockey mask features high-impact plastic construction, designed to shield your face in all conditions, making it highly durable and comfortable for the goalie.
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How a longer absence affects the roster
For an injury expected to keep a player out beyond the game, injured reserve is a roster mechanism, not a diagnosis or a return-to-play timetable. Under the NHL’s Hockey Operations Guidelines, a club may place a player on IR when its medical staff determines the player will be unable to play for at least seven days after the injury date. The player is ineligible to play for at least seven days, and the club may replace that player on its NHL roster.
Regular-season roster limits
The guidelines state that, during the regular season through the trade deadline, a club may carry a maximum of 23 players and must carry at least 20, including two goaltenders. A player on IR does not count against the 23-player maximum. These limits frame the roster decisions around a goalie absence; the club’s actual transaction depends on its roster and the applicable rules.
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- DESIGNED FOR STREET HOCKEY: These street hockey masks are designed specifically for street hockey and offer superior protection in a streamlined design. In contrast, the lightweight design makes it comfortable to wear and easy to see, with the bonus of ventilation holes that reduce fogging and sweating.
- ADJUSTABLE FIT: Adjustable straps allow for a great and secure fit. With the design of our quick-snap elastic straps, you can adjust this hockey mask to fit virtually any head size. With its sturdy design, this goalie mask will keep its shape even through the most challenging games.
- DURABLE & SAFE: This hockey mask features high-impact plastic construction, designed to shield your face in all conditions, making it highly durable and comfortable for the goalie.
- MODERN SLEEK LOOK: With its modern and sleek design, it’s a mask that you can wear with confidence even in the summer heat.
- CONFIDENCE WITH COMFORT: This hockey gear is the perfect match for a young goalies leveling up their skills. The broad, clear vision gives them a great view of the whole area to focus on their game.
When can an emergency goalie be used?
An emergency backup goalie (EBUG) is not a general-purpose third goalie whom a club can use whenever one of its rostered goalies is unavailable. The NHL/NHLPA’s 2025 Regular Season Emergency Goaltender Replacement Policy requires the proposed replacement to be submitted in advance, with details of playing experience, and approved by NHL Central Registry. The policy sets limited entry conditions, including a late pregame injury when the club cannot otherwise dress two goalies and the League determines a recall cannot arrive in time.
The policy also restricts eligibility. The NHL/NHLPA policy excludes someone with more than 80 professional games or professional hockey experience in the previous three seasons. The NHL’s October 2, 2026 announcement of the 2026-27 emergency-goalie arrangement summarizes the limits as no more than 80 professional games and no professional hockey in the previous three seasons.
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What changes in 2026-27
For the 2026-27 season, NHL.com reported that every club must have an emergency goalie on its roster, and that the goalie dresses, practices and travels with the team. This is a change from the earlier arrangement described in NHL.com’s March 2, 2020 account of the emergency-goalie procedure, which involved a preapproved list and a goalie who could potentially be available to either team. The older arrangement is historical context; it should not be confused with the club-designated role described for 2026-27.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the three responses differ
| Situation | Timing | Eligibility or trigger | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-game substitution | Immediately during the game | Under the 2025-26 Rule 8.2, the goalie must be ready to resume immediately or be replaced | A substitute takes the position; a replaced goalie may return only at the next stoppage |
| Injured reserve | For a longer absence | Club medical staff determines the player cannot play for at least seven days after the injury date | Player is ineligible for at least seven days; club may replace the player on its NHL roster, and the IR player does not count toward the 23-player maximum |
| Emergency goalie | Limited emergency circumstances | Advance submission and NHL Central Registry approval; policy conditions include a late pregame injury and no timely recall option | Provides emergency replacement coverage; it is not an unrestricted extra backup |
The in-game procedure here is from the NHL’s 2025-26 rulebook; the emergency-goalie roster requirement applies to 2026-27. The NHL’s Hockey Operations Guidelines page does not state a publication year in its cited text.
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- DESIGNED FOR STREET HOCKEY: These street hockey masks are designed specifically for street hockey and offer superior protection in a streamlined design. In contrast, the lightweight design makes it comfortable to wear and easy to see, with the bonus of ventilation holes that reduce fogging and sweating.
- ADJUSTABLE FIT: Adjustable straps allow for a great and secure fit. With the design of our quick-snap elastic straps, you can adjust this hockey mask to fit virtually any head size. With its sturdy design, this goalie mask will keep its shape even through the most challenging games.
- DURABLE & SAFE: This hockey mask features high-impact plastic construction, designed to shield your face in all conditions, making it highly durable and comfortable for the goalie.
- MODERN SLEEK LOOK: With its modern and sleek design, it’s a mask that you can wear with confidence even in the summer heat.
- CONFIDENCE WITH COMFORT: This hockey gear is the perfect match for a young goalies leveling up their skills. The broad, clear vision gives them a great view of the whole area to focus on their game.
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