After being the backup goaltender for the majority of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 silver-medal run during last yearB次元官网网址檚 World Junior Championship, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Dylan Garand cares about gold and nothing else a year later.

It was tough for the then 18-year-old to watch as his teamB次元官网网址檚 only loss came against the United States in the 2021 World Junior final after Canada had such a strong tournament.

B次元官网网址淚t was pretty heartbreaking, but I think it fuelled me going into this year B次元官网网址� knowing that the only thing that really matters is that final game and coming out victorious,B次元官网网址� Garand said.

The Kamloops Blazers star played one period in last yearB次元官网网址檚 tournament, during CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Boxing Day blowout win. ItB次元官网网址檇 be a B次元官网网址渟pecial feelingB次元官网网址� to lead Team Canada onto the ice on Dec. 26 this year, but Garand maintains that doing whatever he can to help Canada win gold eclipses his pursuit of being the number-one goaltender.

The 19-year-old will be one of just three returning players for Canada. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a less stressful December this year because Garand knew his spot was secure with only three goalies being invited to the pre-tournament selection camp. But itB次元官网网址檚 still special, going from a Juan de Fuca Grizzlies jersey to one donning the Maple Leaf.

B次元官网网址淕rowing up as a kid, you dream of playing for Team Canada B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to chasing down a gold medal.B次元官网网址�

After the pandemic confined the last World Juniors to a fanless bubble, the Canadians are eager about the prospect of a venue with people cheering in the stands.

B次元官网网址淭he biggest thing that weB次元官网网址檙e all excited for is fans B次元官网网址� last year, we didnB次元官网网址檛 get to experience that.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 yet to be known whoB次元官网网址檒l take to the crease when Canada faces the Czech Republic on Boxing Day. All three goalies know theyB次元官网网址檙e competing for the top job, but their focus is on the collective and doing whatever they can to give Canada a shot at its third gold in five years.

The New York Rangers draft pick said heB次元官网网址檚 confident that the speedy and skilled Canadians are ready for any challenge or adversity the tournament brings their way. Garand is also confident that heB次元官网网址檚 a better goalie than the one who had to watch on as Canada fell just short last year.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 liking where my game has been at this year and I know that if I get the chance to play goalie, then I can give us the chance to win.

B次元官网网址淭he only thing IB次元官网网址檓 looking at is winning a gold medal when itB次元官网网址檚 all said and done.B次元官网网址�

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