Roloson returns to NHL as emergency backup

Dwayne Roloson. (msitkoffNHL/Twitter)

Dwayne Roloson made his return to the NHL Sunday night. Yes, you read that correctly.

The 45-year-old strapped on the pads as an emergency backup for the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday after starter John Gibson left warmups with a lower-body injury. Third-string goalie Jason LaBarbera got the start against the Colorado Avalanche with No. 1 netminder Frederik Andersen also scratched due to injury.

Helene Elliott on Twitter: “Gibson injured during warmups, per Ducks. Lower body injury”

Helene Elliott on Twitter: “Andersen is not dressed. So Ducks are starting this game without a backup goalie in uniform.”

The possibility of seeing Roloson in action for the first time since April 2012 was briefly dashed because the roster move was not cleared by the NHL, but he was allowed to rejoin the Ducks bench once the paperwork was processed.

Helene Elliott on Twitter: “Roloson can be used as emergency backup, Ducks spokesman said. Paperwork was filed long ago but never had to do it…before today.”

Helene Elliott on Twitter: “Was told Roloson has to be cleared by Central Registry. would explain why he’s no longer on bench.”

Matt Sitkoff on Twitter: “Here it is Dwayne Roloson on the bench as the backup for @AnaheimDucks http://t.co/RZiutag0LI”

Eric Stephens on Twitter: “Dwayne Roloson. No. 79 in your program, er, roster. No.1 in your trending hearts. #neverboring http://t.co/imYmAWr1ie”

Roloson retired following the 2012 season after a 16-year career split between seven teams. He joined the Ducks organization as a goaltending consultant in 2013.

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