Remington Keopple development camp mystery solved as Rangers name emergency goalie

Remington Keopple was hiding in plain sight at Rangers development camp in July. The recent Cornell graduate was neither a draft pick nor under contract, and after completing four years in the Ivy League, the 24-year-old netminder did not fit the profile of a typical prospect-camp invitee. Still, few stopped to question why he was in Tarrytown.

Two months later, we have our answer. Keopple will reportedly serve as the Rangers' designated emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) for the 2026-27 season, taking on a newly formalized position under the NHL’s updated collective bargaining agreement. Suddenly, his quiet appearance over the summer makes complete sense. The Rangers weren't merely looking for an extra body to take shots in drills; they were scouting and vetting the person who will travel with the club and step into the crease if catastrophe strikes both game-day netminders.

Who is Remington Keopple and why do the Rangers need him?

Before arriving at Cornell, the New Richmond, Wisconsin, native played two seasons for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. He also represented the United States at the rescheduled 2022 World Junior Championship, stopping all four shots he faced during one period of action against Austria. The 6'2", left-catching goaltender appeared in 19 games for the Big Red, posting a .913 save percentage and 1.96 goals-against average. While he spent most of his college career in a backup role, Keopple took advantage of the opportunities he received.

He was particularly sharp during his final two seasons. Keopple stopped 68 of 71 shots in five appearances as a junior, finishing with a .958 save percentage and 0.86 goals-against average. That stretch included his first collegiate shutout, a 21-save performance in Cornell’s 6-0 victory over RPI. Keopple followed that with another strong showing during his senior season, going 4-1-1 with a .933 save percentage and 1.54 goals-against average across seven appearances. He allowed two goals or fewer each time he entered the crease and closed his Lynah Rink career by making 20 saves in Cornell’s 2-1 Senior Night victory over Clarkson.

Prior to joining the Rangers in July, Keopple attended the Seattle Kraken’s development camp in 2024. While his inclusion on New York's summer roster initially looked like routine drill-depth insurance, Chris Drury and his staff were quietly evaluating him for a far more specialized assignment.

The historic return of No. 00

Ideally, Keopple will never be required to enter an NHL game. Igor Shesterkin and Joonas Korpisalo remain the Rangers’ established tandem, with Dylan Garand holding down the fort in Hartford. An EBUG only becomes relevant when an extremely unusual sequence of injuries leaves both available goaltenders unable to continue.

Yet, as hockey history has proven with David Ayres and Scott Foster, those freak nights happen. Under the NHL’s new system, Keopple will be the organizations' designated answer if they do, while bringing a number back to Broadway 49 years in the making.

If he ever does step onto the ice, he will bring a legendary piece of Rangers trivia back to life. Under the league's new rules, all designated emergency netminders will wear No. 00. That sweater number holds a unique place in franchise history: John Davidson became the first player in NHL history to don double zero when he wore it for the Blueshirts during the 1977-78 campaign.

Nearly five decades later, Keopple may activate some nostalgia, but if everything goes according to plan, however, he will never have to wear it in an NHL game.

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