The Story Behind the Bears’ Emergency Backup Goaltender

Philadelphia Flyers’ emergency backup goaltender Eric Semborski nearly entered a game against New Jersey in 2017. Last season, Chicago Blackhawks emergency backup Scott Foster finished the final 14 minutes of a game against Winnipeg. 

Last season, Ilya Samsonov sustained an injury during morning skate on October 17, prior to the Bears matchup in Wilkes-Barre. Parker Milner was unable to make it to Wilkes-Barre from South Carolina (ECHL) in time, so the Bears signed Padraig Carey to an amateur tryout to backup Vitek Vanecek that night. 

“I play men’s league with Josh Carter (Bears’ head equipment manager) and Dillion Filepas (Bears’ assistant equipment manager),” Carey said. “The Bears’ needed a goalie to fill in for a morning skate one weekend a few years ago. I did the morning skate and Olaf Kolzig was out there, so it was pretty special. From there, it just grew into helping at skates with guys who didn’t travel on the road with the team and helping with the Black Aces – the practice squad during the playoffs.”

When Samsonov went down with an injury and the Bears needed a netminder in a hurry, Carey came to mind right away. 

“Samsonov got a little banged up during morning skate,” Carey said, “so as a precaution they kept him out and they couldn’t get Parker Milner from South Carolina up in time for the game so that‘s when I got the call.”

Since it was an away game Carey would suit up for, he traveled with the team on the bus and got the full experience of a day in the AHL. The Bears were thankful to have Carey fill in during this emergency situation, and welcomed him in as a teammate for the night. 

“All the guys were awesome, they treated me really good. It was just like I was a part of the team from the time I got on the bus. They really went out of their way to make me feel like part of the group for the time I was there. They made sure I was comfortable and having fun. The experience (was special), to sit on the bench and be a part of the whole experience. It’s been years since I’ve been in a locker room for a real game or rode on a bus, it has been a long time.”

Carey is a native of Paramus, New Jersey, where he grew up playing youth hockey before moving on to juniors. Afterwards, Carey played four years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with their hockey team and graduated in 2012 before moving to central Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming involved with the Bears, it had been about two years since he was on the ice for competitive hockey. 

With the jump from college hockey to skating with American League players, there are a lot of adjustments to make and plenty of differences, especially with the amount of time off from playing. 

One of the biggest differences is the speed of the game. 

“How quickly everything happens,” Carey said, “how quick they (the players) process everything, make decisions, their shot releases – it surprised me.”

Aside from Scott Foster, not many emergency backups have made it into a game. If the opportunity presented itself, Carey would have liked to have gotten into the game as well – under certain circumstances.

“If we were up by a pile of goals and there’s like five seconds left,” Carey laughed. 

Regardless, it was a night he won’t forget. His parents were able to be in attendance, which made it even more special. After the game, the Bears gave Carey his jersey, which he had framed and is now hanging at his house. He received a game puck, a copy of the game program and other press materials. Head Coach Spencer Carbery gave him a copy of the lineup sheet from the game as well.

“They’re just welcoming. The organization – everyone is just great.” Carey said. “From Helmer, Beaker, the coaching staff, everyone. Everyone is nothing but awesome. Still now, if they need a guy on the weekends for (players that stayed behind) or guys rehabbing from injury, I’m a local guy they can call and be there.”

Carey also works with goaltenders for the Hershey Jr. Bears youth hockey program and is entering his second year as the head goaltending coach for Lebanon Valley College’s NCAA Division III men’s team. 

“I never really expected to get into goalie coaching at this level (with LVC). I enjoy being around it, it’s a higher level hockey and the guys want to be here.”

With his extensive career, Carey has a lot to offer when helping younger goaltenders. Being around Samsonov, Vanecek and Bears’ goalie coach Alex Westlund, he has learned a lot that he can pass down to help others. 

“I’ve learned so much from Alex Westlund and Scotty Murray who was here before (Alex),” Carey said. “I can use what I learned from guys at an even higher level and use it (to coach). I have this great relationship with the goalie guys in Hershey, which helps me in my role at LVC.” 

At age 31, Carey has a lot of hockey experience and knowledge, and it continues to grow. He still skates with the Bears on occasion when he is able to and they need him, but otherwise his playing career wrapped up after college and his night in Wilkes-Barre. Now, he hopes to leave his mark on the next generation. 

“Growing up and playing for so long, then for this to happen, things have really come full circle.”