Amid an overhaul of the emergency backup goalie rules in the new NHL CBA, EBUGs will be undergoing another transformation this season.
All EBUGs will be required to wear jersey number 00, per NHL insider Chris Johnston.
The new rule, however, may create some unintended drama, with nearly half of all NHL teams now facing a double-zero jersey dilemma with their anthropomorphic brand representatives. Thirteen different mascots already wear the number.
NHL team mascots that wear #00
| Team | Mascot | No. |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | Wild Wing | 00 |
| Boston Bruins | Blades | 00 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Stinger | 00 |
| Dallas Stars | Victor E. Green | 00 |
| Florida Panthers | Stanley C. Panther | 00 |
| New Jersey Devils | NJ Devil | 00 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Gritty | 00 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Iceburgh | 00 |
| St. Louis Blues | Louie | 00 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | ThunderBug | 00 |
| Utah Mammoth | Tusky | 00 |
| Washington Capitals | Slapshot | 00 |
| Winnipeg Jets | Mick E. Moose | 00 |
That’s 13 teams that presumably need to find an adequate gift in exchange for their foam-headed ambassadors’ double-zero digits. Typically, players will be consulted and compensated when they give up their jersey numbers, such as when Frank Vatrano gave Sergei Bobrovsky No. 72 with the Panthers in 2019 in return for a Rolex and a season’s worth of dinners.
The new rule has already ruffled the feathers (or whatever that stuff is) of Dallas Stars‘ mascot Victor E. Green, who quickly made sure everyone remembered who the OG 00 is.
Victor E. Green may be drawing inspiration from Bailey, the Los Angeles Kings‘ mascot. Bailey received a Rolex from Artemi Panarin in February when Panarin joined the squad and wanted number 72.
With a player on every roster now sporting 00, some mascots may find themselves with different digits next month, but the mascots likely won’t go down quietly. Teams could choose to honor seniority and keep their mascots’ numbers (Slapshot has worn 00 since his debut in 1995), but there would likely be confusion about why the mascots’ new favorite player is their new EBUG.
Or, alternatively, teams could take the easy route and avoid creating new jerseys by making their mascots their 2026-27 EBUGs. The 13 mascots would fulfill all the new requirements: no NHL games under a standard contract, played fewer than 80 professional games and none in the past three seasons, and are already at every game. The New Jersey Devils seem to be opting for the latter, at least for now. Someone find NJ Devil a goalie stick!
Victor E. Green liked that option as well, giving his team an expensive ultimatum.
The new rule sent shockwaves through the entire NHL, reaching every mascot, regardless of the backs of their jerseys or their animal classification. San Jose Sharks‘ mascot Sharkie took to X to share some smug gratitude at his lack of jersey number, and therefore his distance from the scandal.
Beyond mascots, only two players have ever worn jersey number 00: goaltenders Marty Biron and John Davidson.
