OWEN SOUND—Owen Sound Attack (Ontario Hockey League) goaltender Carter George, who has strong family ties to Manitoulin Island, has indicated one of his big goals is to make the Team Canada World Junior Hockey Team this year.
“Carter definitely wants another shot at the (World Juniors),” stated Mike George of his son in an interview with the Expositor last week. This comes after Team Canada did not qualify for the medal round in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships held in 2024-2025.
“It is a big goal of Carter to make the team this year,” said Mr. George. “The tournament is going to be held in Minnesota, and being from Thunder Bay Carter played a lot of his minor hockey in Minnesota. He really wants to play for Team Canada and represent his country. And if he makes the team there will be a lot of people from Thunder Bay that will be there to watch. Fingers crossed he makes the team.”
Carter George will be among the four goaltenders taking part in Team Canada training camp beginning December 12.
Hockey Canada has announced that the road to the 2026 IIHF world Junior championship in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, will begin with training camp at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls on December 12-22.
Canada’s National Junior team will take part in a camp that will lead into a three-game pre-tournament schedule ahead of the World Juniors.
“We are thrilled to host the National Junior Hockey team training camp at a worldclass facility like the Gale Centre in the Niagara Region,” said Benoit Roy, director of hockey operations for Canada’s team. “The staff and community have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome and supported every step of the way, and we look forward to the next phase in our preparation for the World Juniors in Minnesota.”
“Our management group and coaching staff are excited to finalize the plans for training camp in Niagara Falls, in preparation for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Alan Millar, general manager of the National Junior Team. “Our group is moving forward without the traditional December selection camp, bringing a smaller group of players to Ontario and prioritizing preparation over further player evaluation and selection. We remain committed in our goal to be best prepared for Boxing Day (when Canada will play its first tournament game) and bringing a gold medal back to Canada.”
“Generally, in the past if the tournament was taking place in Canada, they would take two goalies, and in the US, they usually select three goalies,” said Mr. Carter.
“It would be a pretty big milestone for Carter to make the team, and he’s really looking forward to the training camp,” said Mr. George.
The Canada team will play a trio of exhibition games against Finland, Sweden and the United States in preparation for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, December 26-January 5 in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
