The Edmonton Oilers had new face on the bench Thursday
Emergency goaltender Brett Epp was activated before the team's game against the Anaheim Ducks and backed up Matt Tomkins.
The Oilers needed Epp to take the No. 2 role because Tristan Jarry was unavailable due to illness.
Epp is the Oilers' full-time emergency goalie this season, a new rule instituted by the NHL.
The Edmonton native, 29, played most recently for Grant MacEwan University in U Sports in 2024-25.
Because Epp was needed on the bench, the Oilers called up their old part-time EBUG, Westin Cardwell, to serve in the EBUG role on Thursday.
Tomkins made his season debut for the Oilers in their game against the New York Rangers on Nov. 1, stopping 27 of 28 shots on net for a .964 save percentage.
He was called up on Oct. 23 when Devon Levi (undisclosed) went on injured reserve in a corresponding move.
