In ice hockey, particularly the National Hockey League (NHL), Black Aces are players that are added to a team's roster during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They often consist of minor league players in the team's organization, and practice with the team during the playoffs in case of any injury or otherwise to players in the lineup.
The term "Black Ace" refers to the poker hand known as the dead man's hand, which includes the two black ace cards. The term was first applied in a hockey sense by Hockey Hall of Famer Eddie Shore, who, when he owned the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League (AHL), would use the term "Black Ace" to refer to extra players on his roster who were returning from injury. [1] Don Cherry, who was one of Shore's "Black Aces", wrote in his book Grapes: A Vintage View of Hockey, that Black Aces, in addition to practicing with the team, would also have to do extra maintenance around the arena, such as painting seats and selling popcorn. [2]
After the NHL trade deadline, the league's 23-man roster limit ends. In addition, the salary cap does not exist in the NHL postseason, allowing teams in the playoff picture to have as many Black Aces as they want on their roster. [3] However, it is important to note that often, Black Aces come from the AHL, so oftentimes they are not called up to the NHL squad until after their season has finished, whether that be after the regular season, or once their team is eliminated from the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Once they are called up, Black Aces practice and train with the NHL team, just as any other player would. Although they often do not play in any games, Black Aces are always expected to be prepared in the event that a player gets injured. [4]
The NHL rules for a player to get their name engraved on the Stanley Cup states that they must appear in at least 41 regular season games, or at least one Stanley Cup Finals game. As such, many Black Aces are not automatically eligible for this honor. However, there have been cases where Black Aces have contributed to the championship run, and their team petitions for their name to be engraved (See the 1994 New York Rangers below).
Black Aces celebrate with the team if they win the Stanley Cup. Occasionally the Black Aces might dress in full during the final game, despite not playing the deciding game. [5]
In ice hockey, particularly the National Hockey League (NHL), Black Aces are players that are added to a team's roster during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They often consist of minor league players in the team's organization, and practice with the team during the playoffs in case of any injury or otherwise to players in the lineup.
The term "Black Ace" refers to the poker hand known as the dead man's hand, which includes the two black ace cards. The term was first applied in a hockey sense by Hockey Hall of Famer Eddie Shore, who, when he owned the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League (AHL), would use the term "Black Ace" to refer to extra players on his roster who were returning from injury. [1] Don Cherry, who was one of Shore's "Black Aces", wrote in his book Grapes: A Vintage View of Hockey, that Black Aces, in addition to practicing with the team, would also have to do extra maintenance around the arena, such as painting seats and selling popcorn. [2]
After the NHL trade deadline, the league's 23-man roster limit ends. In addition, the salary cap does not exist in the NHL postseason, allowing teams in the playoff picture to have as many Black Aces as they want on their roster. [3] However, it is important to note that often, Black Aces come from the AHL, so oftentimes they are not called up to the NHL squad until after their season has finished, whether that be after the regular season, or once their team is eliminated from the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Once they are called up, Black Aces practice and train with the NHL team, just as any other player would. Although they often do not play in any games, Black Aces are always expected to be prepared in the event that a player gets injured. [4]
The NHL rules for a player to get their name engraved on the Stanley Cup states that they must appear in at least 41 regular season games, or at least one Stanley Cup Finals game. As such, many Black Aces are not automatically eligible for this honor. However, there have been cases where Black Aces have contributed to the championship run, and their team petitions for their name to be engraved (See the 1994 New York Rangers below).
Black Aces celebrate with the team if they win the Stanley Cup. Occasionally the Black Aces might dress in full during the final game, despite not playing the deciding game. [5]