Winnipeg Jets Sign Altona’s Cole Kehler as Full-Time Emergency Backup Goalie

The Winnipeg Jets have chosen Altona, Manitoba, native Cole Kehler as their first full-time emergency backup goalie, or EBUG, for the upcoming season.

Kehler, 28, has not played professionally since 2022. He last played for the Altona Maroons of the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League between 2022 and 2024, after earlier stints in the American Hockey League and the ECHL.

He appeared in three games for the Manitoba Moose during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season and attended Jets training camp in 2017 and 2020. Kehler also spent time in the Los Angeles Kings organization after playing junior hockey with the Portland Winterhawks and Kamloops Blazers.

The Jets’ move follows an updated collective bargaining agreement requiring every NHL team to designate one emergency backup goalie who travels with the club for home and away games. In the past, teams could use several players in that role.

To qualify, a goalie cannot have NHL experience or have played more than 80 professional games. Kehler has played 64 professional contests.