Scout’s Analysis: Goaltending will be key to Canada’s success at WJC
One thing that is certain is the fact any team hoping to walk away with the gold medal at the world juniors will rely heavily on elite goaltending. Former scout Jason Bukala takes a closer look at Team Canada’s netminders and what their roles could be.
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With world junior rosters now set for all competing countries, prognosticators are lining up with their predictions for each team’s potential for success.
The host Canadians, along with Team Sweden and defending champion Team USA, seem to be garnering the largest number of votes as favourites to medal. My experience, from attending 13 previous world juniors, tells me to never rule out the pesky teams from Finland and Czechia. Both countries are never an easy out in world championship events.
One thing that is certain is the fact any team hoping to walk away with a gold medal draped around their necks after the final whistle on Jan. 5 in Ottawa will rely on heavily on elite goaltending.
Team Canada has three goalies rostered for the tournament. Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) and Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) stop pucks in the OHL while Carson Bjarnason tends net for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL.
Here’s a closer look at the three Team Canada netminders and what their roles could be.
CARTER GEORGE
Height: Six-foot-one
Weight: 190 pounds
Catches: Left
Team: Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
NHL Draft: Los Angeles Kings, second round, 57th overall (2024)
George was the second-rated goalie for the entry draft last summer. He ended up the third netminder off the board when the Kings selected him with the 57th pick overall.
His athletic ability and crease quickness provide him the ability to track the play moving side to side and make saves that some goaltenders aren’t programmed to make. He fronts shooters very well, making him as big as possible between the posts. He also possesses a fantastic glove hand and the ability to fight through screens to find pucks in traffic.
An additional element that George provides is his ability to play the puck. He can step outside his crease to outlet pucks long-range and launch the attack offensively for the group.
George led Team Canada to gold medals at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and World U18 Championship in 2023-24. He was named the top goaltender at the worlds and was also named to the OHL all-rookie team. As impressive as he is on the ice, George excels in the classroom as well. He was awarded the top scholastic player in the OHL last season.
George is well-rounded and uber-focused. He has a history of success with Team Canada and appears to have the inside track for the starting job. He’s up for the challenge, but Canada boasts a couple of additional options if George falters.
CARSON BJARNASON
Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 207 pounds
Catches: Left
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
NHL Draft: Philadelphia Flyers, second round, 51st overall (2023)
Bjarnason gives opponents a different look between the posts. He’s by far the biggest of Canada’s three netminders. Bjarnason plays a hybrid style. Like all goalies, he’s at his best when he maintains composure and doesn’t wander outside his posts. The good news is he has the length to make pad save, laterally, with his stature. Bjarnason is having a solid season in Brandon, posting a 2.90 GAA and .913 save percentage in 16 games.
Here’s an example of Bjarnason using his size to his advantage and keeping his composure between his posts. He squares up very well to make the first save and positions himself responsibly to make a second stop if required. His head is on a swivel surveying how the play develops in front of him:
Bjarnason has won a Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold and a World U18 Championship bronze medal representing Canada in the past. He too is up for the task if called upon in Ottawa.
JACK IVANKOVIC
Height: Five-foot-11
Weight: 178 pounds
Catches: Left
Team: Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
NHL Draft: 2025 Eligible
Ivankovic is the youngest of the three Team Canada goaltenders. He’s eligible for the draft next June and is one of the top-ranked goaltenders in the world. Ivankovic was fantastic for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton this past August. He led the Canadians to gold, posting an incredible 0.75 GAA and .967 save percentage in his four starts.
Ivankovic makes up for his current lack of size with his athleticism and read/react quickness around his crease. Similar to Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Flames, Ivankovic closes on opponents when they are locked and loaded around his net. His aggressive style, and overall low net coverage, takes away shooting options for his opponent.
Here’s a sequence that displays what I’m describing:
I’m not sure Canada will have to go to Ivankovic in this tournament, but I have confidence in his ability if his number is called.
It’s more realistic to think he will gain very valuable experience from this experience and look forward to future starting assignments for Team Canada at the world juniors.
