An NHL team puts out a call for a last-minute replacement goalie, and one university student gets the opportunity of a lifetime -- that’s not the plot to The Mighty Ducks 4, that’s the summary of Tristan Jones’ Monday morning.
At around 10:30 a.m. Monday, Vancouver Canucks right winger Alex Burrows tweeted that the team needed a goalie for their 11:30 a.m. skate. With less than an hour before they hit the ice, Burrows said the first person to show up would get a chance to practice with the team.
The boys need a goalie for the 11:30 skate at Britania. First one that shows up will get a great workout and a free lunch from @zkassian9
— Alex Burrows (@aburr14) September 8, 2014
Capilano University student Tristan Jones took the team up on their offer. After heading down to the rink and beating out at least one other amateur hopeful, Jones had the chance to stop shots from some of the best players in the league.
“The guy showed up, did a great job out there,” Burrows told reporters in a post-practice scrum. “He was awesome out there and he’s coming back tomorrow.”
Jones was asked to skate again Tuesday -- which hopefully gave him a chance to introduce himself to some of the team.
“Who is he?” one reporter asked Burrows on Monday.
“No idea,” Burrows laughed. “No idea, really. I’ll have to check my Twitter account.”
Jones, who coaches and trains young goalies according to his bio on behindthemask.ca, called his last 24 hours “surreal.”
And though he might not sign any million-dollar contracts, for two days, he got to live out a Disney movie of his own.
Thanks to the @VanCanucks and especially @zkassian9 & @aburr14 for having me out for practice, see you boys again tomorrow.
— Tristan Jones (@TrainerTristan) September 8, 2014
Also big thanks to @eddielack and @RyanMiller3039 for not showing up to prakky ;)
— Tristan Jones (@TrainerTristan) September 8, 2014
Another big thanks to the boys on the @VanCanucks again with a special thanks to @zkassian9 & @aburr14 for having me out. #Dreamin
— Tristan Jones (@TrainerTristan) September 9, 2014
These last 24 hours has been surreal & tons of fun. Queue 15 minutes if "fame" as I have a few interviews scheduled today now lol
— Tristan Jones (@TrainerTristan) September 9, 2014