Reposted from Erika Chorostil CBC News (January 2, 2025)
A goalie from Thunder Bay, Ont. continues to make his mark in the hockey world and is playing a pivotal role in Team Canada’s success so far at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
18-year-old Carter George has put up a pair of shining performances in shutout victories while in net for Team Canada, posting a 31-save 4-0 win against Finland on Boxing Day and a 3-0 win over Germany on December 29, in which he made 25 saves.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to do it again. I just want to go out there and do my part to get this team a win,” said George.
George is the only player on this year’s tournament roster hailing from northern Ontario. While it’s his first time in the World Juniors, he’s no stranger to international competition, having competed at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, helping Canada win a gold medal.
George also backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 world under-18 championship in Finland in May.
This past June, Carter was drafted 57th overall by the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the 2024 entry-level draft.
George currently plays for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after being chosen by the major junior club in 2022. He has a sparkling .905 save percentage through 23 games with the Attack this season.
Prior to the OHL, George played youth hockey with the Thunder Bay Kings of the Greater Toronto Hockey League from 2020 to 2022. The team said George is the eighth Kings alumnus to play in the World Junior Hockey Championship.
“We are incredibly proud of Carter and his continued success on the world stage,” said Brent Rau, president of the Thunder Bay Kings.
“Having developed through the Thunder Bay Kings U13, U15, and U16 AAA programs, he consistently impresses us with his dedication to his craft, both in the OHL and international competitions. His journey proves that, whether you’re from Thunder Bay or any northern town, you can still develop the skills necessary to compete at the highest level.”
The annual World Juniors tournament is taking place in Ottawa until January 5.
Photo Credit: Canadian Hockey League
