NHL club has new goals in mind for former Thunder Bay Kings hockey player
Goaltender Carter George from Thunder Bay, Ont., was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings
A former Thunder Bay, Ont., Kings hockey player has become the 36th alumnus of the program to be drafted by a National Hockey League (NHL) club.
Thunder Bay's Carter George was chosen as the 57th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft last Saturday.
The significant milestone for the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Owen Sound Attack goaltender comes after an impressive OHL season that included numerous 40-save games, and a 50-save shutout against the Barrie Colts.
George also backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the 2024 world under-18 championship back in May in Finland.
"When I was young, I dreamed of playing in the NHL, and I always wanted to work as hard as I could to give myself a chance to make my dream come true," said George in an interview with CBC's Superior Morning.
"Fortunately, I had that opportunity and just wanted to make the most of it."
'A special kid and goalie'
After the NHL drafted him, George said he got back in touch with the Thunder Bay Kings club.
"I've talked to a couple of people, obviously a lot of my buddies I've played with," said George. "A couple of my coaches have reached out, and I've talked to them, and I thank them for everything they've done for me."
The Thunder Bay Kings are members of Hockey Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association and the Greater Toronto Hockey League.
They offer high level hockey in Thunder Bay, in a number of different age divisions.
The program has produced players like Robert Bortuzzo, Matt Murray, Mackenzie Blackwood, Patrick Sharp and Eric, Marc and Jordan Staal.
Brent Rau, the president of Thunder Bay AAA Kings, coached against George when he was younger and watched him expand as an athlete during his four years in the Kings program. He said George is still a young man with some time to put in, but he could see him playing NHL games before you know it.
"Since he's left Thunder Bay, he's made that milestone jump," said Rau. "It's a big accomplishment just even getting drafted in the NHL. That's a worldwide leap of his accomplishment that not many people do."
'Busy road ahead of him'
Rau added that George now has a busy road ahead of him exploring new avenues and what they have set for his future, but he is not alone.
"The Kings give them those hockey skills and life skills to find what they want as their future unfolds," said Rau. "But Carter definitely took his and it's amazing what he accomplished, along with the many other past Kings players that got drafted in the NHL."
While he waits to see what happens in the coming months, George agreed that it will be a lot of hard work this off-season as he prepares for next season and camp this fall.
But he said he encourages upcoming hockey players to do the same.
"I've always dreamed of being an LA King, and sure enough, I got drafted to the Kings," said George. "So if you put your mind to it, you work hard at it, it's possible."
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With files from Olivia Levesque