France enters the Milan Olympics only because Russia is still barred from participation due to their ongoing war on Ukraine. With no entrenched long-term starter separating himself at the international level, the French program arrives with a young, fluid goaltending picture. Who will sink or swim remains to be seen.
As we trace the paths of these three goaltenders, the question is which of them is ready to seize the moment on the Olympic stage right now.
Antoine Keller (HC Ajoie)
Age: 21
Keller is the future of French goaltending, and increasingly, the present. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Keller has been on the national team’s radar for years thanks to his consistency amongst his peers.
At the 2022 U18 World Championship Division IB, Keller dominated the tournament, leading in goals-against average and save percentage while backstopping France to a Gold Medal. He followed that with strong showings at the U20 level, earning both Silver and Bronze medals in Division IA competition. In 2025 Keller cemented himself as a national team dependable when we posted an .897% and a 3.98 GAA in four starts at the World Championships.
At the club level, Keller has spent the past two seasons in Switzerland’s National League, serving as a backup for HC Ajoie. While his role has been limited there, this past season he tried his hand in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays before returning to Switzerland. Entering Milan, Keller will certainly get starts. What remains to be seen is whether he gets more than two.
Julian Junca (HK Dukla Trenčín)
Age: 27
Junca is France’s most established professional starter. After multiple seasons as a No.1 goaltender in the Ligue Magnus, he earned Goalie of the Year honours in 2022/23, cementing himself as the top domestic goaltender in France.
His career has also included time in North America, with two AHL starts for the Chicago Wolves and a full season as a starter in the ECHL. Now in Slovakia’s top division with HK Dukla Trenčín, Junca is enjoying one of the strongest seasons of his career, posting a .926 save percentage, and a 2.36 goals-against average alongside double-digit wins.
While he lacks the prospect pedigree of Keller, Junca offers France something that will be genuinely invaluable for them: six appearances in the World Championships, getting shelled in most of them. We expect him to start most games.
Martin Neckar (SCL Tigers)
Age: 20
Neckar is a wild card. Still just 20 years old, he has quietly put together one of the strongest statistical profiles of any young French goaltender in recent memory. At the U18 World Championship Division IA, he was named Top Player on Team France after posting a .934 save percentage against top-end junior competition.
At the club level, Neckar had worked his way through the Swiss system. Over the last two seasons in the SL (Switzerland’s second Division) he has posted a .936% and gone 15-13-2. This season his exceptional play earned him a call-up to the National League with the SCL Tigers. While his exposure at the top level remains limited, his trajectory will be closely watched by many pro teams.
Neckar is unlikely to get a start at these Olympic games, but he still serves as the program’s boldest option should they need an inspiration in goal.
An NHL prospect in Keller, a proven professional starter in Junca, and a 20-year-old rapidly climbing the Swiss ranks in Neckar leave France with fascinating choices in the crease.
Whoever emerges, it may be the opening of a new era in French goaltending.