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Chicago Blackhawks: Eric Semborski Gets His Own Hockey Card

By Sean Fitzgerald
Mar 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) stands during the national anthem before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling (33) stands during the national anthem before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Being a temporary goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks has served Eric Semborski well

Eric Semborski‘s life just keeps getting better. Before last week, the national media had no idea who Semborski was. People outside of his friends and family probably had no idea who he was. I know I had no idea who he was.

Semborski is a 23-year-old kid who last played goalie for Temple University’s hockey club in 2014-15.  Although not a bad college goalie, he never thought he go onto play hockey past college.

And yet, his life changed on December 3.

Semborski gets the call

Semborski was going through his normal day when he got the call after working  at the Flyer Practice Facility. He was pressed into action as Chicago’s emergency goalie due to the NHL’s emergency backup rules. The Blackhawks needed someone to back up Scott Darling after Corey Crawford suffered an appendicitis.

The Blackhawks could not use Jimmy Waite, their goalie coach, as their emergency goalie because he then would have counted against the salary cap. The reason being is he was a former NHL player.

Semborski got to warm up with the Blackhawks but did not play in the game against the Flyers on on Saturday. It was an experience of a lifetime. 

Semborski got to have his name on an NHL jersey with Corey Crawford‘s number on it. He got to take shots from Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Artemi Panarin.

Some days you go from breakfast to an NHL lineup by lunchtime. pic.twitter.com/Kk1qesNQIj

Hockey card time

He might have even gotten into the game had the Flyers scored an empty-netter late. Everyone believed that was the end of the Semborski story. However, yesterday Topps announced that he is getting his own hockey card.

Semborski seems to have gotten more media attention than current back goalie Lars Johansson. Johansson has yet to see an action with the Blackhawks, although it is rumored he will be getting a start before Crawford returns from his appendectomy, Semborski now might become an answer to a trivia question.

Next: Crawford Ranked As 26th-Best Goaltender

Who was the Blackhawks’ backup goalie on Dec. 3, 2016? Hint: He signed a one day Amateur professional contract. Bigger hint: He has his own Topps Hockey Card.

The correct answer is Eric Semborski.

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