Flames EBUG Dusty Nickel braces for change — but not before one more scare

CALGARY — Dusty Nickel was finishing his bag of popcorn when his phone broke the news.

How Calgary FlamesThe EBUG resident, a 34-year-old construction company owner, was called down after Vegas goaltender Adin Hill left Tuesday's game with an injury.

Running outside to grab his gear from the truck, Flames forward Sam Honzek crashed into Golden Knights reserve Akira Schmid, opening up a very real possibility of forcing Nickel into action.

However, Nickel did not pay attention to the unsettling moments felt on the visiting bench.

“I got stuck in an elevator with a new security guard who didn’t let me down,” Nickel chuckled.

“He needed to see my credentials. I have a jacket with eight or nine game passes on it and I didn't know which one it was, and while I was showing him all of them I said, 'I don't have time for this, you should call because I have to go.'

Shortly after Schmid was cleared to resume his career, Nickel arrived in the Saddledome alumni locker room, where he went through a futile procedure with which he is all too familiar.

He put on half his gear, stretched, signed some paperwork, watched the group discuss him and the possibilities during intermission, and he really wanted to finish that bag of popcorn.

Flames assistant equipment manager Ben Duhaime double-checked the spelling of Nickel's last name on the Vegas jersey they were preparing.

With the EBUGs ordered to remain neutral and out of sight until called into action, Nickel never saw the jersey, bench or any action.

Just one more night for backup.

Nickel is something of a legend around these parts, and not just because of his fantastic craftsmanship.

He's been the Flames' EBUG for the last few years, walking into the Dome media lounge buffet area right before puck drop every night wearing a suit, a cap and a big grin on his face.

“It’s $100 a game, and to be honest, I put most of that money into 50-50 tickets,” he laughed.

“I haven't won yet. I've been 0-for-82 the last two years. I haven't even won the minor prize. In fact, I'm not even sure if I could qualify for it if I win.”

He won a second prize of sorts two years ago when former Calgary Canuck was dragged into the Flames locker room before puck drop by Jacob Markstrom, who had fallen ill just before the puck dropped.

That night he was paid $500 and kept the jersey.

Just two minutes later, all eyes turned to Nickel after Dan Vladar was hit on the ice by Vegas forward William Carrier and required medical attention.

“I knew it was coming,” he smiled, recalling his clash with the then Cup champions.

“I remember in warm-ups I was stretching and LT (Logan Thompson), Stoney (Mark Stone) and (Jack) Eichel were at center ice and they were looking at me and kindly nodding at me and I was like, 'You guys are going to do something, aren't you?' I knew something would happen.

“They probably thought, 'Hey, we'll throw in EBUG and have an easy evening.'

“Everyone thought I was nervous the whole time, but the adrenaline had worn off—I just didn’t know where my gloves were after I gave them to Benny, and I thought my skates were kind of boring.”

The Flames kept Nickel busy in other ways, using him 100 times last year as a practice replacement for the Flames and Wranglers.

He's not doing it for the money, as it amounts to little more than free equipment and a couple thousand at the end of the year, which he calls “beer and gas money.”

Given the busy schedule this season, they will likely use him even more.

The real carrot, however, will arrive next year when the new CBA calls on every team in the league to hire a full-time EBUG who will travel and train with the team.

“The Never Starve League is a very interesting thing,” said Nickel, who also runs a goalie school.

“There's a lot of people lining up for this job. Per diem and food. What an experience to see a little bit of the world that way. What a cool experience to be able to do that, be kind of a bullpen catcher and be able to go on trips and hang out with the guys. I think it would just be great.”

Although Nickel was told the EBUG would receive approximately $75,000, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told Sportsnet that each team would decide how much compensation would be provided.

“These positions will likely not be dedicated solely to EBUG status,” Daly said.

“This person will likely have other ongoing responsibilities at the club.”

That's fine for Nickel, who has the flexibility to continue throwing everything to help the Flames.

“Every year I say, ‘One more year, one more year,’ but then maybe next year I can go on a trip and then a new rink…maybe two more years,” said the affable Calgarian, who has become part of the team in many ways.

“I love skating with the guys and it's a great culture. As long as you can keep playing, play as much as you can.”