David Ayres Wiki – Biography
As the Zamboni driver lived out his NHL dream Saturday, getting called into action for the Carolina Hurricanes as an emergency backup goalie and earning the win, Sarah was cheering her husband on in Toronto and sharing her emotional ride on Twitter.
David Ayres Age
He is 42 years old.
Wife
David Ayres was sitting in the stands with his wife at Scotiabank Arena when Carolina Hurricanes goalie James Reimer went down with an injury. Ayres, the on-call emergency netminder in Toronto, left his seat and got half dressed into his gear on the off-chance something might happen to Carolina’s second option, Petr Mrazek.
Emergency Goalie
There was nobody happier for David Ayres Saturday night than his wife Sarah.
As the 42-year-old Zamboni driver lived out his NHL dream Saturday, getting called into action for the Carolina Hurricanes as an emergency backup goalie and earning the win, Sarah was cheering her husband on in Toronto and sharing her emotional ride on Twitter.
“I am the happiest, proudest woman on the planet because my human got to live out his ultimate dream,” Sarah tweeted after the game. “I’m also surprised I still have a voice.”
David Ayres has been a practice goalie for the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate over the last eight years. He had a kidney transplant 15 years ago and wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play hockey again, let alone make it to the NHL.
But there he was Saturday night, between the pipes in Toronto but playing for the opposition. He stopped eight of 10 shots in the Hurricanes’ 6-3 win and was named the game’s first star.
That’s my baby!!!!!” Sarah Ayres tweeted.
David was sitting with his wife when starting Hurricanes goalie James Reimer got hurt, prompting David to head downstairs to get dressed in case he was needed. Then Petr Mrazek also got hurt.
“Scotia Bank Arena is a pretty lonely place when you’re watching the game on your own,” Sarah wrote.
I am the happiest, proudest woman on the planet because my human got to live out his ultimate dream.
…I’m also surprised I still have a voice. https://t.co/qTglhZypG5— Sarah Ayres (@Houlie_s) February 23, 2020
Career
Ayres, who had a kidney transplant 15 years ago and wasn’t sure if he would ever play hockey again, has been a practice goalie with the Leafs and the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, for the last eight years.
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Ayres, who usually works as a maintenance worker and a Zamboni driver for the Marlies, faces shots from professional players on an almost-daily basis during the season, but never thought he’d be called into service in an NHL game.
“These guys were awesome,” Ayres said. “They said to me, ‘Have fun with it, don’t worry about how many goals go in, this is your moment, have fun with it.’”
Carolina’s Warren Foegele paid tribute to his new teammate. “He probably dreams of playing in the National Hockey League,” Foegele said. “What a moment for him. Something he’ll never forget, and something we won’t either.”
Dave will be getting royalties, but we are also working with him to identify a kidney foundation that will receive a portion of the proceeds https://t.co/RwSNg12DA4
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) February 23, 2020
Ayres has been the emergency goalie in Toronto for about half the games this season and is available to either team. “You kind of think, ‘Oh well how’s this gonna end up?’” said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “That’s incredible. That’s why you do this.”
Ayres was asked what he’ll remember most from the game. “These guys,” he said. “How great they were to me. The crowd in Toronto was unreal. Even though I was on the other team they were so receptive. Every time I made a save I could hear them cheering for me. Awesome.”