Movie based on David Ayres in the works at Disney

David Ayres’ miraculous victory as an emergency backup goaltender with the Carolina Hurricanes last year is being made into a movie with the help of Disney.

The 43-year-old said comedian James Corden called him shortly after the win to discuss making a movie about it, according to Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. Ayres then connected Creative Artists Agency, and at least 24 different production companies apparently expressed interest in the idea.

“(CAA) said to me, ‘You wouldn’t believe the amount of production companies that have come to us already asking to do this film. It’s insane,'” Ayres said. “They narrowed it down to 24 at one point, and then we narrowed it down to 12. We listened to 12 pitches from all the different people.”

He added: “That’s how the whole Disney thing came about. So, we’ll see what happens. A little slow now with COVID, but once we get the ball rolling, it’ll be fine. Once we start writing it, I think they’ll go two years from there.”

Ayres said he was told he’ll be a producer and help with writing the script.

On Feb. 22, 2020, Ayres was called into action against the Toronto Maple Leafs after both of the Hurricanes’ goalies went down with injuries. He was a Zamboni driver for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies at the time and helped backstop Carolina to a 6-3 victory in front of Toronto’s home crowd.

When reflecting on the moment a year later, Ayres shared his biggest takeaway from the experience.

“It just lets you know, anything you try in life, you can achieve it,” Ayres said. “You put a lot of hard work and get a couple lucky bounces here and there, and things will go your way – as long as you stay positive.”