The Ottawa Senators announced a brand-new signing on Thursday, though if all goes right this season, he may not see the ice. Bradley Mitchell, a 24-year-old locker room attendant, was named the team’s first-ever emergency back-up goaltender, also known as an EBUG. Beginning in the 2026-27 season, all teams in the National Hockey League are required to staff an emergency replacement goaltender. These netminders will travel with the team and jump into action in the rare case that the team is unable to dress two goalies. In a video posted to social media, Ottawa Senators’ General Manager Steve Staios announced the team’s latest signing in a press-conference-style setting alongside Mitchell. “I’ve had the privilege of being the manager here for almost three years. Sat up here for many big moments, signing extensions, announcing the next captain. But no bigger moment than today. I’m here to announce we’ve signed Bradley Mitchell to an EBUG contract,” Staios said. Staios described Mitchell as 5-foot-6-inches and 150-lbs with “blazing speed and skill.” “Just personally, some nights when I’m leaving here at 7 or 8 o’clock, this guy’s taking out the trash, sweeping the floors, cleaning up around us, and he takes a lot of pride in it,” Staios said. “You talk about being all-in, this guy’s all-in.” In the past, the NHL has seen OHL goalies, police officers and Zamboni drivers suit up as emergency netminders. In 2024, Ottawa Gee-Gees goaltender Zach Dietz dressed as an emergency goaltender for the Ottawa Senators in a match against the Pittsburgh Penguins, though he did not take to the ice. In the announcement video, Mitchell and Staios fielded questions from Senators players who sat in the media area for the conference. “The whole process behind this, was it a long one? Was it a short one? What do you got to say?” Sens netminder Linus Ullmark asked. “It was a grind of a negotiation,” Staios responded. “[I’d] tell him I’ve got to talk to my agent, but I’ve got to find an agent first,” Mitchell added. When asked by Claude Giroux which NHL goalie he compares to most, Mitchell responded, “definitely Carey Price.”
