Hurricanes roll out carpet for David Ayres with home game invite
Carolina to welcome emergency goalie hero on Tuesday against Dallas
The Carolina Hurricanes aren't done with David Ayres just yet.
The 42-year-old, who used to drive the Zamboni for the AHL's Toronto Marlies, was forced to be Carolina's emergency goalie for its road game Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ayres, of Whitby, Ont., stopped eight-of-10 shots he faced in his NHL debut, helping the Hurricanes capture a 6-3 victory.
Afterward, he was named the game's first star.
WATCH | The heart-warming story of David Ayres:
Ayres came into the game in the second period after injuries to regular netminders James Reimer and Petr Mrazek.
On Sunday, the Hurricanes announced that Ayres will be present for their home game Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars.
"See you Tuesday, Davey!" the club said on its Twitter account.
See you Tuesday, Davey!<br><br>Ayres will be in the building on Tuesday and will be our <a href="https://twitter.com/VectorSecurity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VectorSecurity</a> Siren Sounder! <a href="https://t.co/L4zH4Az0lj">pic.twitter.com/L4zH4Az0lj</a>
—@Canes"They're flying me down to Carolina for their game on Tuesday so I'll get to spend more time with the guys, which is good," Ayres said Toronto on Sunday at the Maple Leafs' practice facility. "They're a great team, great organization."
The Hurricanes started selling shirts with Ayres' name and No. 90 after the game. The team says Ayres will get royalties and a portion of the proceeds will go to a kidney foundation in honour of the goaltender, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2004.
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 <a href="https://t.co/RwSNg12DA4">https://t.co/RwSNg12DA4</a>
—@CanesAfter the win over Toronto, the Hurricanes provided a video of Ayres being showered by Carolina players when he came into the team's dressing room.
And head coach Rod Brind'Amour praised both Ayres and his team for their efforts.
A memory we'll all have forever <a href="https://t.co/LUxqs8o3Wr">pic.twitter.com/LUxqs8o3Wr</a>
—@Canes"It's not often in a game that you get tied to a great memory," Brind'Amour said. "All you have is the memories you've got and you guys just gave me one, you gave each other one.
"But it's a memory I'm going to have forever, the way you guys played in that third period for you (pointing to Ayres) and the way you [Ayres] played for us."
What's more, the stick Ayres used in the game is going to the Hockey Hall of Fame
With files from the Associated Press