Dolan Gilbert (Sr., Goalie) watches the game from the bench, his helmet emblazoned with the word “Believe,” at Munn Ice Arena on Oct. 10, 2025
Dolan Gilbert keeps finding a way to stay between the pipes.
Gilbert, a 2026 graduate of the Michigan State ice hockey program, has been named the emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) for the Seattle Kraken – the first in franchise history. The netminder was the third-string backup for the Spartans after walking on in December 2023.
His addition to the Kraken follows the NHL’s updated collective bargaining agreement, which requires every team to carry an EBUG starting this season. EBUGs are not on a team’s roster but travel with the team and see occasional practice time. The player is available in case all active goaltenders are unavailable due to injury, illness, suspension, or other circumstances.
Gilbert will participate in scratch and injury skates, as well as wherever the Kraken need him, mirroring his role with MSU.
Following a brief stint at Concordia University in Wisconsin, Gilbert transferred to MSU to further his academic career; he graduated with a degree in psychology. But with former netminder Trey Augustine away at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, the Spartans needed an extra goalie, and Gilbert had something to offer.
Gilbert spent two complete seasons on the team’s roster, traveling and practicing despite sitting out every game, until his senior season. He entered two games, both against the University of Notre Dame.
A native of South Bend, Indiana, Gilbert grew up around the Notre Dame ice hockey program, where his dad served as an equipment manager. Gilbert made his Division I hockey debut in the very arena he grew up in, an intentional call from the MSU coaching staff.
“He does a lot of stuff for our guys, but he stays out every day, taking one-timers,” said coach Adam Nightingale after Gilbert’s first game last November. “He's out there with mock power play, playing all these different things, and he's great in the classroom. That wasn't a hand me out. He definitely earned it.”
Gilbert finished his MSU career with a combined 4:17 and a 0.00 goals-against average, facing no shots. He meets all the requirements to be an EBUG, as he has no professional experience.
Goaltenders are only eligible to be an EBUG if they have not played professionally in the last three years, have not played more than 80 professional games and have not played in an NHL game. If an EBUG is used in an NHL game, they immediately lose their eligibility.
With an educational background in sports psychology, Gilbert will join the Kraken's research and development department while serving as an EBUG.
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