Emergency Goalie David Ayres Relives Journey To 1st NHL Win With Hurricanes | Home Team Heroes

Almost a year later, the story of Dave Ayres and his improbable victory, while serving as Emergency Goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, is the stuff of Legends by now. However, the story of how he almost never made it to that moment is less known. At the age of 25, Dave’s kidney was failing him and he needed a transplant. Luckily, his mom Mary was a match and donated to her son. He hasn’t looked back since and has used that blessing and the sudden fame of his NHL appearance to try and bring awareness to the Kidney Foundation and Organ Donation.
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[@ImZyker]

100% winrate in the NHL, absolute LEGEND

[@milesg9535]

Lol

[@JDW1110]

He should be signed by the Kraken as a backup goalie.

[@MrFatesniping]

david ayres and scott foster 1st ballot hall of famers easy

[@MrSharkFIN]

@@MrFatesniping Scott Foster doesn't have the win though :(

[@MrSharkFIN]

@Not The FBI The FBI have at least heard of jokes, so your name makes sense.

[@albert_oponda]

I can still hear Steve Dangle crying in his blue den

[@kevinthegoalie1366]

“THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOST AN ACTUAL NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE GAME TO A 42 YEAR OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER, WHO WORKS FOR THEM!!!”

[@markolitvic6981]

The Toronto Maple Leafs literally, and that word is overused a smidge, but literally gave up 50 shots, at home, to a team that played last night, and that would be embarrassing enough on its own. On its own, that would be unacceptable. On its own, you never believe that that team would a) make the playoffs or b) do anything in them! Oh, but we're just gettin' started. That's not even the worst part, are you KIDDDING ME!? THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE! THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOST AN ACTUAL NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE GAME TO A 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER, WHO WORKS FOR THEM!!! Forget Game 7 in 2013, in 2018, in 2019, WOW THEY GET HUMILIATED A LOT! Well, FORGET ALLLLLLLLLLL OF THEM...THEY JUST LOST...TO A 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER WHO WORKS FOR THE TEAM!! "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you yelling for? Can't you appreciate what a great story it is? How cool it is? This guy is getting to live his childhood dream! This is the coolest thing ever! He gets called into an actual NHL game, and not just with a couple seconds left, with half of an actual NHL game left, and he's gotta defend it? He's gotta defend a lead? That is truly the stuff of scripts. You gotta put that in a movie, you could sell that to Disney tomorrow. That's incredible. How don't you feel good about that? Come on." Because in the movies, it would be a lot more exciting. In the movies, the team shooting against the emergency goalie would actually SHOOT!! But in real life, in actual reality, . It's a lot more boring than that. They just don't do anything! They're the Toronto Maple Leafs. I wrote a book, a full book, about my Leafs fandom called "This Team is Ruining My Life". And I wrote this BEFORE they followed up a four-nothing win against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins with a LOSS TO A 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER, AN EMERGENCY GOALIE WHO WORKS FOR THEM! I feel like this video coulda ended a few minutes ago. That's it isn't it? That's it, we're done here! They lost to a 42-year-old zamboni driver who works for thehehem... They're the BIGGEST joke in the National Hockey League dude. The biggest joke-NAME A BIGGER JOKE IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE, you can't. "Oh, the Oilers and how they-" The Oilers are doing fine, I don't know if you noticed this, but they don't actually- they don't cry when times get tough anymore. "The Buffalo Sabres?" Well, hey, they haven't made the playoffs in a while, the Buffalo Sabres, they-they do lose a lot of games don't they. But you know what the Buffalo Sabres haven't done is LOSE TO A ZAM BONI DRIV ER!! In their final game? Their final game before the trade deadline? If Kyle Dubas was a smart fan, he'd throw his phone in a volcano right now. I don't know how you don't trade every player on the roster, eh-vuh-ry player on the roster after a game like that. "Oh, typical Toronto media, oh their fans, everyone's so tough-" YOU LOST TO A ZAM BONI DRIVER! I don't wanna talk about how this market or this fanbase or whatever is tough on this hockey team ever again, eVVVVErrr aGaIn. Are you joking me? This team's gonna lose games, any team is gonna lose games. This team has weaknesses, any team has weaknesses. This team is literally built on its offense, and it just lost to a ZAMBONI DRIVER! Who wants this team to make playoffs right now? For real, like you wanna watch the rest of this season (gonna take a quick aside for the obvious oof there before continuing). Leave a comment below, were any of you at that game? I felt like I was slowly watching 20,000 people STOP BEING Leafs fans, live in person. "David Ayres says he's supposed to practice with the Leafs tomorrow. He's going to bring his game puck." Ahahaha. Well, I hope he brings all their birth certificates, too, because now he's their dad, ALL OF THEM. This is...no hyperbole...the most humiliating loss, at least in the regular season, IN TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY. "Oh is tha-" NAME A BIGGER ONE, NAME ONE! . . . Oh, you CAN'T? Oh that's weird. "Well, there was one time they had a five-nothing lead in the third and they blew that against the Blues." First of all, the Leafs blow leads all the time, you're not impressing me with that. Second of all, the BLUES had a PROFESSIONAL GOALIE IN NET THAT NIGHT! If you lose that game, you gotta decide how much you like hockey. You really gotta decide that. I know ya all got big contracts and everything, but like no one's making you do this. You like this? YA SURE? Listen, I'm not so blind that I can't see how amazing the story of David Ayres is. How amazing the story of what he did in this game is, what he did, the inspirational, unbelievable, spectacular, storybook thing that he did. But behind it, on the other end of the ice, is a 'hockey team' that truly, deeeeeply, biitttterly, SSSUCCKKS! I. . .don't know what else to say. Yep. I think that's it. Okay, alright. Good video guys. Yea. So...in terms of...whatever else happened in the game, uhhhh, the Clifford hit and all that, ummm, we're gonna record a podcast tomorrow night-before...the trade deadline. That was the last game before the trade deadline, man. We're gonna record a podcast, it'll be up on Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, aaand up on the Steve Dangle Podcast KZbin channel. We're gonna talk aallll about this game even more, way more in depth because I'm gonna have two co-hosts with me. Adam Wylde, Jesse Blake. And they're gonna help me...discover how to say something else other than, "They lost to a 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER WHO WORKS FOR THEIR TEAM." Sorry, sorry, "tHEIR MINOR LEAGUE AFFILIATE." That is it for this one, thank you very much for watching. Click like if you liked this video, click subscribe if you really liked it. Tell all your friends- That THE LEAFS LOST TO A 42-YEAR-OLD ZAMBONI DRIVER . . . WHO WORKS FOR THEM!

[@albert_oponda]

@@markolitvic6981 This I appreciate, a lot.

[@lisaanimi]

@@markolitvic6981 I'm going to watch it again thanks xD

[@frenchfrey65]

@@markolitvic6981 I think I just found a new copypasta, god bless ya

[@silentpulls7447]

As garbage as that was to watch as a leafs fan, It was AMAZING to watch as a human. Go David Ayres # Legend

[@austonsplatpoo1705]

Made like 8 saves lol 😂 Scott foster is a legend

[@juhomantynen4638]

@@austonsplatpoo1705 played half the game.

[@austonsplatpoo1705]

@@juhomantynen4638 played basically 1 full period and had a 5-1 lead and stopped like 8 shots lol 😂

[@Bigcheese-mz2tc]

@@austonsplatpoo1705 are you still that salty it's been a year get over it and appreciate and enjoy what he did in the game and after

[@taylorbohn3038]

And that is why 3 quarters of the fans stayed til the end to watch him as the nights first star. Because as hard as that must have been to watch, it showed most Toronto fans are true blue hockey fans first, Leafs fans second. Respect✊

[@kniesDat]

Really proud of our fans to stay after the game and give Ayres the standing O that he deserved. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

[@nelsonds75]

I don't get why people chirp Leafs fans about this, I understand Leafs lost but Leafs fans gave him a standing O and were really happy for the guy, he deserves praise and was amazing

[@grim8353]

@@nelsonds75 because they lost, at home, to a 42 year old ZAMBONI DRIVER, WHO WORKS FOR THEM!!!

[@PatFrenchLeafsFan1]

@@grim8353 IT'S LIKE WHEN JOHN LENNON THOUGHT JESUS WAS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE OR SOMETHING!!!!

[@HockeyPwnsBaseball]

I'm sure that was a tough loss for Leafs fans, but to show class and appreciation like that made the moment even more special. Good on Toronto.

[@kniesDat]

@@HockeyPwnsBaseball some things are bigger than the game!

[@Mohawks_and_Tomahawks]

Dude plays 1 game in the NHL, and goes down in history. Legend.

[@nicholasbenge9497]

He'll never have to buy a beer again.

[@a_person2399]

The leafs goalie fist bumping him at intermission is awesome

[@williambryant2055]

Shoutout to those Leafs fans who stayed until the end. Classy move

[@Shawzyboy]

Steve dangle disliked this video.

[@braxonlitster7626]

But its true though

[@jessujepetius4133]

I don’t get it

[@Blackphillipsupporter]

WHO WORKS FOR THEM!!

[@jordangyman7104]

@@jessujepetius4133 Steve Dangle is a leafs fan

[@jessujepetius4133]

Jordan Gyman oh okay

[@Kyle_Man]

As a goalie that's the dream. As a leafs fan the second he went in I started rooting for him. There's always another hockey game for the leafs, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.

[@JarrettJ45]

Hockey gotta be the only major sport where a fan of the sport can get thrown into a game and have to play against their home team

[@pathv1]

"He's gonna go to the bank, hand them a check, and it's gonna say Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment on it." - Steve Dangle

[@media_crone]

I had never heard that story about Reimer reassuring him, how wholesome

[@jessecamilleri23]

Reimer is a gem, will always be my favourite goalie. Wish the sharks would have kept him after the trade from the leafs

[@haymahhyhdhf4843]

@@jessecamilleri23 omg could not agree more!

[@colejacobs5536]

@@jessecamilleri23 he’s back take care of him he’s impossible not to love

[@HockeyJunkie]

I've been watching hockey for many years and this is one of the most incredible stories i've ever heard.

[@aidanquigley1294]

Junkie!?

[@littleretroship6403]

@@aidanquigley1294 yeah, junkie???? As in Mary browns fan junkie?

[@HockeyJunkie]

DAVID AYRES, THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND!

[@aidanquigley1294]

Junkie!?

[@HockeyJunkie]

@@aidanquigley1294 what’s up Aidan !!!!

[@smac1130]

I don't even watch Hockey. Couldn't even tell you a single player. But this... this is a universal story that hits EVERYONE in the feels. I absolutely love this story.

[@malcolmhur5959]

I think you can name one player, David Ayres.

[@willsk7068]

First lesson in hockey is: that it will always happen against the Leafs..

[@quonslecn7755]

Cool to see even the leafs players giving him taps during the intermission!

[@brianeleighton]

It is, but also makes sense. They know him because he practices with them.

[@bigmike9158]

The 5 dislikes are the alt accounts of Steve Dangle

[@englenn806]

And every Maple Leafs fan

[@bigmike9158]

@@englenn806 nah I’m a leafs fan and I still like it

[@jennifercongleton8546]

@@englenn806 not every leafs fan that was there

[@JeM9100]

Dude played out not just a kids dream but any mans dream to play their favorite sport and absolutely nailed it. What a legend.

[@FatLikeKessel]

So awesome that he said go get a goal boys, I’ll hold down the fort. What a legend

[@krazyk57]

Class act by the Leafs fans for staying and giving him the standing O….That’s hockey at its finest…😎

[@mtbcyclist]

As a Caniac or a member of the "Bunch of Jerks" I thought this was so cool to watch. Hats off to the classy Leafs fans for giving David a standing ovation.

[@alexrowdyrodrigues9716]

Even though this happened to my Leafs, I couldn't be happier that he has gotten this much praise and admiration from hockey fans. He truly is a special story and yeah he deserves that exhibit in the HHOF

[@danielcyr6489]

it must be a dream come true 42 years old played jr b as the highest level and now playinglive in toronto as a goalie for 2 periods, wow must have been nerve recking

[@slyfor2]

Freddie Anderson gives him a glove bump 5:07, thats awesome. Mutual respect from both sides

[@bradbengel917]

Huge hurricanes fan here and always am mesmerized by that game but even more so with what he and his wife did with their new found fame afterwards. Hockey is the greatest sport for reasons like this.

[@paulgerrish6539]

It's one thing to be pressed into action, as an emergency goalie, but the fact that he is a kidney recipient and went on to achieve this, so cool! Such a great story, congratulations!

[@unbrysonabletga6017]

100% win rate. Absolute LEGEND

[@camelcase9225]

One of the toughest losses I've ever seen the Leafs pull off but I feel so good for this guy. 1 loss in an 82 game season is nothing regardless how embarrassing it may appear. 1 moment that changed a man's life is truly more important.

[@PabloGonzalez-hv3td]

I stopped cheering for the Leafs the moment he went in.

[@SuperJNG18]

This whole thing is amazing, but somehow I didn't know about all the media appearances afterwards and the sheer enthusiasm he says "DON'T WORRY, STEPHEN, I GOT YOU!" with somehow made me smile even harder than I already was.

[@AbbotsfordBolts14]

He lived our dream

[@matejpasek1125]

I am so glad stayed up that night and watched the game, since i am from Europe i didnt get much sleep. But damn. What a legend. I almost cried watching this.

[@maydanlex]

Worked with David's mother. Nothing but nice things to say about her. David's one lucky guy.

[@glenncooney3959]

As a Leafs fan the result sucked, but I love the story and I’m so happy for David Ayres. An amazing story.

[@stevestalock3200]

We all know that goalies come from a different part of the gene pool. David shows us this is a very special place. This short video tells one of the best stories in sports and shows what an exceptional and humble man David is.

[@chadbailey7769]

This is EVERY guys dream who’s played competitive sports! Something happens and some how you get that 1 game in the absolute top level of your sport! This is such an awesome story. Even better that he seems like such a nice dude

[@zach9848]

Best story in hockey

[@droidgu0522]

As a Canes fan, I'll always have a great appreciation for David Ayres and what he was able to accomplish that night! Especially the effort he gave to help us get the W! Congratulations David! Everyone got the Win that night!

[@Oldschool-hb8rk]

Wearing the maple leaf pants as well !

[@elizabethevenson6110]

as somebody with polycystic kidney disease who got diagnosed at 22 because my DAD needed a transplant, i was already emotionally compromised by that bit and how was i NOT gonna love the WTFery of a 42-year-old Zamboni driver winning an NHL game after letting in the first couple shots? (it helps that i have no deep ties to either the canes or the leafs, though.) (by kidney transplant patient standards, my dad's kicking butt considering he's 70+ and still tapping sugar maples and going out wild ricing every now and then. basically, we lucked out because one of his sisters was a match. i'm never going to forget meeting MY nephrologist because i was super confused about "tons of ultrasound-visible cysts, your folks are telling me i'm down to 50% functioning, why are my labs still okay?" and his response was "that 50% is working like a boss".)

[@jamiemorris3713]

90 needs to be retired, David Ayers, end of discussion, what you did was and will go down in hockey lore., on behalf of Hurricane nation, thank you brother! Go Canes

[@SterlsTube2]

What an amazing story. Livin the dream.

[@TheHeston83]

Hope this made into made into a Movie soon this is Hockey's Invincible

[@JS-kb4bk]

I doubt it. It was more the Canes defending well than anything Ayres did. Leafs didn't get a single good scoring chance and Ayres still gave up several goals

[@howardbaxter2514]

@@JS-kb4bk he only gave up 2 goals, and both would have been tough saves for even elite goalies.

[@PatFrenchLeafsFan1]

I'd rather see a novel instead. Maybe a Michael Moore film.

[@soulessshadow5356]

@@JS-kb4bk Yeah okay, I wanna see you get on the ice in front of a NHL team having never played anything more than Junior B hockey and try to stop players like Austin Matthews, Mich Marner, John Tavares, ect. You wouldn't, what Ayres did along side what that Canes defense did to help him, is what won that game. You probably couldn't do any better than I could, and like Ayres I've been playing goalie my whole life up to the collegiate level.

[@paterson90]

I read somewhere that Disney might actually make this into a real movie. Not kidding.

[@drw4ever57]

If you don’t tear up during this…you’re not human

[@EuphoniaPooch]

That was awesome. A real mood lifter honestly

[@ashleycheechoo3845]

I couldn’t stop smiling watching this entire thing! You’re never too old to follow or achieve your dreams. I couldn’t be happier for you Dave. ❤️🙌🏼❤️

[@nelsonds75]

Leaf's fans aren't sour about losing to David as you could see from the standing ovation. He played a great game as did the Hurricanes in front of him, guys a legend!

[@HockeyPwnsBaseball]

We should retire #90. Ayres will forever be a Canes legend

[@JPMadden]

I always wonder what the hell Mrazek was thinking!

[@MegaJiiRo]

Probably the greatest hockey moment since 99 retired

[@bgrace94]

That’s Hurricanes LEGEND David Ayres to you.

[@JRoo0]

Absolute Legend

[@TellurdogIsayhi]

Dude is such a seemingly great dude, and what an absolutely insane story he has now for the rest of his life. Gives me goosebumps just watching it online. LETS GOOOOO DAVE!

[@JonathanDeroko]

I love this story, gotta root for a guy like this.

[@u4ia420]

One of the greatest moments in hockey...

[@andrewdonnelly8369]

Of course he's a super nice guy

[@JacobWiebe-yx1zn]

Tears bro, tears. That's just beautiful

[@jaygarret2377]

Sometimes life becomes a movie and the good guy gets everything he deserves!

[@xdevox]

Brings a tear to your eye. Ayers seems like a great dude and what a memory to have for him. Legend!

[@gusquinzel8847]

Canes legend forever as a canes fan I am not going to lie after the second I thought it was over. He was a beast in net. Steve dangle screaming is the best when I hear it

[@nidalkhan6161]

A leafs fan here am happy for this guy.

[@emiliofedele3428]

It took an entire year but I can actually look back on this with a bit of fondness as a leafs fan. I’m happy for him.

[@owengriffeth5572]

Ayers is my athletic hero. I am dead serious.

[@michaelalwood2868]

I still remember BrindAmour rolling his eyes when David skated onto the ice as if to say "I do not need this". Hahahahaha. The Hurricanes team were a real class act.

[@TrevorPhilips]

sometimes get tired of this story so I almost Disliked it but then u watch the video again and every single time it’s heartwarming ☺️

[@kellysavalas5937]

I love how both teams gave him the pat on the pads.

[@Cultti]

I just can't stop smiling

[@kellysavalas5937]

After watching this...that win is that much bigger. God Bless Your Family.

[@justinperrotta2701]

One of the best moments in sports history

[@Nastynati0513]

this might be one of my favorite all time hockey stories

[@user-do2ev2hr7h]

The part that really got me was when he actually left the crease to make a play. How many back up goaltenders would do that?

[@hugo57k91]

It's so nice to hear he used his fame to raise awareness about a medical issue

[@silentpulls7447]

Here because of the Steve dangle podcast

[@williamm.buttlicker3870]

As if it's been a year. Time flies quicker than we know it does.

[@cot1579]

The Dream: The Story of David Ayres

[@williamr18]

omg this video made my cry with happy ters good for you David Ayres

[@tmlhkyfn]

Glad I wasn't the only one & yes I'm a die hard Leafs Fan

[@williamr18]

Same

[@superdawwe007]

Truly a top bloke this man

[@TheJewtarHero]

I love how they say “First NHL Win” like there will be a second 🤣🙈

[@jameswg13]

Stranger things have happened

[@austinpeterson1310]

Wonder what shade of red Steve’s face is after watching this

[@jameswg13]

Happy red he played against him the other day

[@mikefriend1514]

Man, that put a lump in my throat. Just the most amazing ‘dream come true’ story.

[@ProdByNicky]

What a story...can't wait for the movie to come out in 20 years from now

[@PatFrenchLeafsFan1]

Or a book by a journalist.

[@nikolasdenicola2005]

Beautiful video. Great story. A true moment in modern hockey history.

[@patward8542]

Great story. So happy for him. Sometimes dreams do come true.

[@Ru7hle5S]

I couldnt be more happier for David and his Family. What an experience it must of been. You define what hockey is all about on all levels. It's been over a year now and I still love going back to watch these videos because it honestly fills our hearts with joy to see this happen to such a cool dude. I'm happy for you and proud of you for taking that moment and making it into something so much more with your awareness to kidney disease. Thank you for being you and great job.

[@collinclary5762]

Ayres will always be a legend in carolina❤️

[@joshimirobot8266]

I'm not crying 😢. It's just my allergies! F it I don't care, I'm balling out, as a hockey parent, I know how much sacrifice goes into every season, to know that your kids have almost a 0% chance to fulfill their dream to play in the NHL or the PHF. Happy for you Mr. Ayres!

[@zarrdead]

Legend

[@hattorihanzo2275]

One of the best moments of hockey in my lifetime. A great story and one of the better moments right before the world went to hell.

[@karljuwde3877]

The fact that this happened against the Leafs makes this a million times sweeter ;)

[@miguelitomarques8]

Canes Legend David Ayres!

[@BigVuVu]

man is a winner - lived our dream and has a gorgeous wife - and played for my Canes!

[@TrueNorthGolf]

Inspiring story. You're the man Dave! 🔥

[@Austin-hm6qq]

I always have to watch these videos whenever they pop up. Probably the best sports story in a long time

[@stephencruse6525]

brind'amour seems like an awesome coach to play for

[@JustinDaining]

This is the absolute best!

[@stevejh69]

Who on earth gives this a thumbs down? Get a grip of yourself! Awesome story.

[@ryandonnelly9142]

Man I love hockey. What a story. What a reaction from BOTH teams and the fans.

[@trisgilmour]

The man the myth the legend!

[@erikdixon8464]

SO MANY GOOSEBUMPS!!!

[@jenny_fromthe_block]

Such an amazing and inspiring story! Go Ayres🙌 #organdonation #beadonor 💚

[@a1driver982]

As a fan of both, the Leafs and Canes, I couldn't be happier.