Horton Scored a Goal in a Game That He Technically Didn't Play

Published on February 23rd, 2025 11:17 am EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Here is a bit of strange NHL trivia:

Who is the only player to have scored a goal in a game that they technically didn't play in?

The answer: Nathan Horton.

On April 9th, 2014, the Columbus Blue Jackets were playing the Dallas Stars in a game that didn't seem to have much consequence. The game, however, would lead to one of the most bizarre statistics in the history of the league.

Nathan Horton opened up the scoring early in the first period to put the Columbus Blue Jackets up by a score of 1-0.

A few minutes later, Rich Peverley of the Dallas Stars collapsed on the bench due to a health emergency.

The situation was so severe that the game was postponed until a later date.

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When the game was resumed later in the season, Nathan Horton was not playing due to an injury.

The only statistic that was held over was Horton's goal, meaning that he had technically scored in a game that he wasn't even playing in.

According to NHL statistics, this is the only time in the history of the league where something like this has occurred.

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Here is another unbelievable fact - both Horton and Peverley NEVER played again after this postponed game.

Horton was diagnosed with a degenerative back injury after the game that ended up career - he would never play another second in the NHL.

Peverley collapsed during the game due to an irregular heartbeat - an issue that was eventually corrected with surgery.

Peverley would never play in the NHL again.