'Dream come true' for UBC goalie called up by Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have recruited sociology major Matt Hewitt from UBC to dress as an emergency backup goalie tonight against St. Louis.

'My heart kind of stopped': UBC's Matt Hewitt gets a taste of the big time as Ryan Miller's replacement

Karin Larsen · CBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2016 3:57 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 18, 2016

UBC goalie Matt Hewitt has been called up as an emergency replacement by the Vancouver Canucks for tonight's game against St. Louis. (UBC Athletics)

UBC goalie Matt Hewitt is headed to the big leagues — at least for one night.

The Vancouver Canucks have recruited the New Westminster native to sit in as an emergency backup goalie tonight due to an injury to Ryan Miller.

UBC goalie Matt Hewitt will get a taste of the big time tonight when he dresses as the backup for the Vancouver Canucks game against St. Louis. (UBC Athletics, Rich Lam)

The fourth-year sociology major calls it a "dream come true."

"I didn't have class this morning and I woke up to a bunch of messages ... that Miller might be hurt and the Canucks might need an emergency call-up. Right away my heart kind of stopped," said a breathless Hewitt. "I didn't hear too much until my coach Sven [Butenschon] here at UBC called and said you're going tonight. I'm just so excited."

Hewitt will be backing up Jacob Markstrom when the Canucks host the St. Louis Blues at 7:00 p.m. PT.

"I'm looking forward to the experience. Not many people get to experience something like this and I'm going to take it all in," he said.

It's official! <a href="https://twitter.com/UBC">@UBC</a> Thunderbird Matt Hewitt signed his <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL">@NHL</a> game day contract with the <a href="https://twitter.com/Canucks">@Canucks</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBirdsGo?src=hash">#GoBirdsGo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllCanucks?src=hash">#WeAreAllCanucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YVR?src=hash">#YVR</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Hwlq6bKtU">pic.twitter.com/3Hwlq6bKtU</a>
—@ubctbirds

It's not the first time the Canucks have turned to the university ranks to find an emergency backup goalie.

Matt Hewitt skated at UBC after signing a one-day contract with the Vancouver Canucks. (Lien Yeung/CBC)

In 2003 UBC 's Chris Levesque was recruited for a single game and came very close to actually playing when it momentarily appeared Canucks' starter Johan Hedberg was injured.

Hewitt says he's ready to step in if the Canucks need him.

"Of course I know it's a big jump to play in the NHL, but if I have to go in, I'll just do my best and show them what I got," he said. "That's all anyone can ask for at the end of the day."

Hewitt says he's also ready for the television cameras, which will undoubtedly all be pointed at him.

"That's something I'm not used to so bring it on," he laughed.