Considered one of the best goaltenders in NCAA Hockey East in 2004, Mike Ayers finished up his college Career with some outsanding numbers for the University of New Hamphshire. He was a sixth round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2000, but the 'Hawks never pursued the Hingham, Ma. native.

Instead, Ayers joined the Columbus Blue Jackets organziation out of college, playing for two season with the Dayton Bombers of the ECHL. Ayers was called up to AHL Syracuse for part of the 2005-06 season, posting a 12-8-1 record with a 2.66 GAA and a .918 save %.

His first game in 2006-07 would see him reassigned by the Norfolk Admirals to the Pensacola Ice Pilots, a game in which he allowed 4 goals in 59 minutes of play to the Florida Everblades, who posted a hard won 4-3 victory.

These photos were snapped the following evening, during warm ups, as he spent the following evening on the bench in favor of Michael Mole.