Key Highlights
- Tyler Bost serves as a practice goalie for the Boston Bruins during the Olympics absence of Swayman and Korpisalo.
- The new collective bargaining agreement introduces full-time EBUGs who will practice and travel with teams starting next season.
- Bob Essensa discusses the potential impact on goaltending strategy and load management.
- Jordan DiPietro, a standout AHL goaltender, participates in practices to assess his readiness for NHL opportunities.
The Bruins’ Practice Goalie Mystery Man: Tyler Bost Takes Center Ice
Boston –– Tyler Bost, an unlikely hero this week at the Boston Arena, finds himself between the pipes, a far cry from his day job as a goaltending coach. The 30-year-old New Jersey native transferred to UMass Boston for his senior year and now leads Stop It Goaltending, providing comprehensive development of netminders.
When Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo were called away to represent their countries at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Bost was drafted by Brian Daccord, the president of Stop It Goaltending and former Bruins goaltending coach. With a call-up to practice as a goalie for the Bruins, Bost seized the opportunity with both hands.
“One thing led to another, and I just welcomed the opportunity,” Bost said. “Just like, what an opportunity.
An opportunity to pick the guys’ brains – I’m a goalie coach myself, so just try to see what this level is all about, and enjoy it. Just go with the flow.” Bost’s role as a practice goalie allows him to dive into the game, track the puck better, and learn from his NHL counterparts.
Looking Ahead: The New EBUG Rule
The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ratified in July sets the stage for emergency backup goaltenders who will not only stand by at home games but also practice and travel with teams. Starting next season, full-time EBUGs could change the landscape of goaltending, providing a safety net for injured players or those seeking to maintain fitness.
Bob Essensa, in his 23rd season as Bruins’ goaltending coach, sees this rule as “long overdue.” He aims to evaluate local talent who can step up and fill the role. “With the potential for a traveling EBUG next year, which is going to get implemented, it’s a chance for us to look at some of the local guys here,” Essensa said. Bost, with his experience as a coach and practice goalie, fits this profile perfectly.
AHL Hero Steps Up: Jordan DiPietro’s NHL Dream
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Michael DiPietro from Providence is pushing for an opportunity in the NHL. Currently leading AHL goaltenders with a 1.65 goals against average and a .942 save percentage, DiPietro has been a driving force behind his team’s success, setting a new franchise record of 13 consecutive wins.
“Being grateful to be able to play professional hockey and play at the level that you are,” DiPietro said. “Obviously, down the road, you want to reach your goals. Not only do you want a taste, but when you do get a taste, you want to stay. You don’t want to have a cup of coffee, right?” DiPietro’s journey from AHL to NHL highlights the continuous pursuit of excellence in goaltending.
Reflections and Future Outlook
The week of practices has been surreal for Bost, who reflects on his experiences. “Staying in Southie with some of my buddies. Just talking with them about it like, ‘Wow, I was just in the locker room with a bunch of NHL guys.’ Sitting in Swayman’s stall, it’s pretty cool,” he said. DiPietro and Bost both share the goal of reaching their highest levels of play, driven by hard work and dedication.
With the new EBUG rule on the horizon, the Bruins are well-positioned to manage their goaltending depth effectively. As the hockey season unfolds, these stories from netminders like Bost and DiPietro will continue to shape the landscape of goaltending in the NHL.