Coming into the 2026 World Junior Championship in Minnesota, Canada’s crease seemed all but confirmed: Carter George, the Los Angeles Kings prospect and last year’s starter, was set to anchor Team Canada’s run for gold. After posting a .936 save percentage at the 2025 World Juniors and dominating the 26’ pre-tournament round, George had earned the nod again in a somewhat rare second consecutive year as Canada’s No. 1. Of course, despite last year’s sparkling stats George and his team were unable to get past the quarter finals.
The 19-year-old entered the tournament with serious pedigree; importantly he posted an AHL shutout in one of two starts he got last year. Scouts praise George’s calm under fire and technical poise, traits that made a fan favourite as well. But, through his first three games of the tournament, all that acclaim slowed.
3 games, an .844 save percentage and a 3.33 GAA.
Don’t disrespect him, three wins is nothing to laugh at. But the numbers don’t lie; Carter isn’t playing himself this tournament. In watching his games you can see him head checking the wrong way, and awkwardly dropping rebounds onto his opponent’s sticks. This is what made Team Canada head coach Dale Hunter nervous, and saw him turn to the team’s “no. 2”.
Enter Jack Ivankovic, the Nashville Predators prospect and Michigan netminder. Officially listed as Canada’s second goalie, Ivankovic is among the best goalie prospects in hockey right now. The University of Michigan freshman is 16-4 with a .927 in the NCAA at just 18, and in his first appearance against Latvia he posted 26 saves in a 2-1 OT win.
It was at this point that Team Canada ditched pedigree from their method, favouring trajectory: Ivankovic started the quarter final matchup against Slovakia, and the decision paid off. Jack didn’t need to be good, as his team put up seven goals, but he was, stopping 21 of 22 en route to the win.
Ivankovic brings confidence to this Canadian team, that much is clear. He has won at every international level for his country, and appears poised to do it again. But Finland is a different beast, one young Ivankovic has not faced in this tournament so far. Still, we’re certain he will be up to the task. His athleticism and competitiveness aid his rebound control alongside confident angles. He is always ready.
No one is suggesting George is washed up. Far from it, he remains one of the most technically sound young netminders in the NHL pipeline, with comparisons to Carter Hart not far off in terms of potential. But in a tournament where every save changes momentum, it was Ivankovic’s style that earned him the crease.
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One response to “How Jack Ivankovic Stole Carter George’s Crease”
George threw it away