The Toronto Marlies zamboni driver David Ayers got to fulfill his dream of playing in the NHL. The 42 year old stopped 8 shots in the third period Saturday night, helping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
“I never thought I’d play hockey again at that moment,” Ayres said after the game. “To go from that to what happened tonight is just unbelievable, unreal.”
Ayers went from zamboni driver and arena maintenance worker for the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate to a star over night.
Since then, he’s been all over the place and the PR tour included two full days of interviews, according to the Hurricanes.
But 42 year old Ayres didn’t stay off the ice for long. Less than 24 hours after the triumph over the Leafs, Ayres headed to the Ford Performance Centre to practice with the Maple Leafs practice.
Even though he stepped in and made sure the team lost against “his” Hurricanes, William Nylander among other players were happy to see him, congratulating the emergency goalie on his awesome NHL debut.
If the newest member of the NHL will get another shot in goal in the league no one knows.
But no matter what, he’s already made his mark, proving that anything is possible.
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