David Ayers could be heading to The Sunshine State. Florida Everblades of the ECHL are seeking to sign the 42 year old as the team’s emergency Zamboni driver.
A week ago, the hockey world knew nothing about David Ayers. The 42 year old went to Scotiabank Arena as the emergency goaltender like many times before Saturday. But that’s when his life changed.
With two injured goalies, emergency goalie Ayers stepped in. He helped the Hurricanes to a victory over the Maple Leafs and the hockey world went nuts.
During the following 48 hours, he did over 20 interviews, visited the NHL Headquarters, made a guest appearance on Stephen Colberts The Late Show. He ended the media tour by being in Raleigh to attend the Hurricanes game.
Tuesday was namned “David Ayers Day” by the major of Raleigh. Ayers’s was also made an honorary North Carolinian by the North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
“David Ayres gave North Carolina hockey fans a memory that we will never forget”. David Ayers proved to be the personification of ‘That’s hockey, baby!’”, the official proclamation read.
David Ayers career in hockey might be over for now. But already this weekend, a new team wants his help.
The Florida Everblades of the ECHL wants to sign him as their emergency zamboni driver.
“This time of year is especially tough on ECHL teams with the NHL and AHL trade deadlines, and the last thing we need to worry about is having to find a Zamboni driver on the day of a game while we’re trying to sign players on short notice,” Everblades President and General Manager Craig Brush said in a statement.
“We can’t make any promises to David that this position could translate into a chance to see game time as it did for him on Saturday in Toronto,” Everblades head coach Brad Ralph added. “However, with the Maple Leafs’ ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers, in town on Friday, we aren’t opposed to using him to take down a Maple Leafs organization for the second time in a week if the opportunity presents itself.”
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