The David Ayres Story is a Movie Script

How crazy is this David Ayres story from Carolina? For those of you who don't know, the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes had to throw 42 year-old emergency goalie into the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday after their two primary goalies were left injured. Prior to this, the guy was just a practice goalie and part-time zamboni driver for Toronto's AHL affiliate, the Marlies.

While he let the first two shots he faced in the net, he managed to keep Toronto scoreless in the third period, ultimately leading Carolina to victory. To cap it off, he was awarded the first star of the game in his NHL debut.

Being the avid hockey fan I am, I am just hearing the news today. I honestly don't know what the best part is about this story. Is it the fact that he was making his NHL debut at age 42? Or that he is zamboni driver for a minor league team; not a player, a zamboni driver. Absolutely goddamn bananas.

While Ayres will probably skip around on professional tryout offers, what he did will be the highlight of his career, and something him and his family will never forget. To dedicate your life to the game, and not give up on that dream for so long is remarkable. On top of that, to not even have a consistent team to play with makes this even more of an unbelievable story.

Not to mention, what a weird rule by the NHL? The home team has to have an emergency goalie that both teams can use, what is that? Imagine just a stranger coming into a baseball game to be the emergency catcher? Having absolutely no chemistry with his teammates or pre-prepared knowledge of the game plan. I think most sports fans if not all would think that is absolutely wild.

Nonetheless, somewhere in Hollywood, a movie script to the tune of Rudy is being wrote about this man and his journey. Maybe with Matt Damon playing the lead. The moral of the story? More of us should become zamboni drivers.