Carter George’s strong mental game could make him first goalie taken at 2024 NHL Draft

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
Carter George (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
Credit: Carter George (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

One might look at the eight goals allowed in the final two games of the U-18 World Championship and overlook what goaltender Carter George did for Canada.

If you only read the scoresheet in the semifinal game against Sweden, the first thing you’d notice would probably be that Canada nearly blew a 5-1 lead midway through the game to a Swedish team missing two of its top young goal-scorers. Or maybe you see how a mini-goal spurt by the Americans nearly took the Canadians out of the final completely.

But after talking to players after both games, they pointed to some timely saves – highlighted by his diving stick save that helped turn the momentum around en route to winning gold.

George won top goalie honors, with his consecutive 31-save efforts in the medal round helping to keep the Canadians in it both nights. Despite the goals against, it was two of his most important games of the year, and scouts took notice.

George finished the year as NHL Central Scouting’s second top North American goaltender. Many independent scouts leaned heavily in Ryerson Leenders’ favor for most of the season, but George’s second half, as well as his performance as Canada’s starter at the U-18s, helped push the Owen Sound Attack keeper up front.

It’s not a great year for goalies, with few scouts expecting a future starter to come out of the class. But if they had to pick one to reach that mantle, many think George could be that guy.

One thing the 18-year-old does so well is stay strong mentally. It takes a lot for any teenager to rise to the occasion in a playoff game on the international stage. That’s amplified if you’re a goalie – the position where mental fortitude can make or break you. George works closely with mental coach Pete Fry, whose clients include Cayden Primeau, Stuart Skinner, Joel Hofer, and a host of other pro players and NHL prospects.

“He helps me out with just staying calm. And I feel like if I stay calm in the big moments, I’ll help our guys stay calm, not get too panicky, and that will allow them to play their game, too,” George said after his semifinal win against Sweden.

George doesn’t lack confidence, and it shows in his play. One of the biggest things scouts look for in a goalie is how they bounce back from a bad goal. George was one of the few draft prospects in the CHL that you could always count on bouncing back quickly after getting beat, rarely having an off night.

“Nothing bothers him,” one scout said. “He’s always focused, always keen on learning and getting better. That U-18 tournament did wonders for him.”

Foundationally, George has a lot going for him. He’s extremely athletic, never giving up on a play even if he looks beat. George is quick in his crease with good footwork, allowing him to get where he needs to be with little effort. A lot of that comes down to his pure leg strength and his ability to react swiftly, making him one of the fastest goaltenders in the draft class.

“He’s conditioned so well,” another scout said. “He’s athletic, and that helps later in games. And the mental strength is top-notch, giving him more to work with. George doesn’t let a bad goal slow him down.”

With a six-foot frame, George isn’t big, but he competes as hard as anyone. Like Dustin Wolf in Calgary, George has the pure mobility to make up for a lack of his size, and his glove hand is top-notch for this draft class.

“The biggest weakness might be his rebound control, but he’s getting there,” another scout said. “And what he can’t eat up, he can still stop with his quick hands and strong positioning.”

George’s rookie stats this year won’t stand out on a page, but that’s normal in major junior. The good news is he already served as Owen Sound’s undisputed starter at 17 and has two more years of development to go, which should include at least one trip to the World Junior Championship with Canada.

And that’s the thing with goalies – you need to be patient. They develop differently. But this much runway, when many other kids his age are still fighting for spots, gives George an excellent opportunity to maximize playing time as much as anyone else.

Teams needing to add a goaltender with some upside could elect to take George in the second or third round this year. It’s not a deep crop, but, like any year, goaltending development can be batty. The good thing? Enough scouts seem to believe in George, and his status as one of the draft’s premier options will get teams fighting for him.

“He’s got a bright future,” a scout said. “The biggest question though is just how bright.”

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