Vancouver Island hockey lovers will be able to cheer on one of their own when Team Canada hits the ice, as VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Dylan Garand has been selected as one of the teamB次元官网网址檚 three goalies.
On Dec. 10, Garand, who was selected by the New York Rangers during the 2020 NHL draft in October, was named to Team CanadaB次元官网网址檚 World Junior roster alongside fellow goalies Taylor Gauthier and Devon Levi.
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The young goalie had a very tidy 2.21 goals-against average in 42 games for the WHLB次元官网网址檚 Kamloops Blazers in the 2019-20 season, earning him notice by the Rangers. Garand got his start with Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey and now, will represent Canada in the 2021 World Junior championships, Dec. 25 to Jan. 5 in Edmonton.
It was B次元官网网址渁 pretty great feeling,B次元官网网址� he said during a Hockey Canada press conference on Thursday, adding that heB次元官网网址檇 been a little bit surprised when the final goalie selection was announced.
Garand got woken up early on Thursday at the Red Deer, Alta. hotel where the team was quarantining and was told to come down to meet with the coaches B次元官网网址� he was worried that the news would be bad.
B次元官网网址淚 was a bit nervous that maybe I was getting sent home but after they told us the news, it was a great feeling,B次元官网网址� he said.
Who better to share the good news than their #1 fans?
B次元官网网址� #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC)
Welcome to Team Canada, welcome to the Taylor Gauthier, Dylan Garand and Devon Levi.
Garand pointed out that Team Canada had set it up so the playersB次元官网网址� parents were the ones to tell them theyB次元官网网址檇 made the team over a video call.
In a video posted to Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 World Junior Twitter page, GarandB次元官网网址檚 family got choked up while telling him the good news and noted that the excitement will raise everyoneB次元官网网址檚 spirits back home over the holidays.
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B次元官网网址淚t was definitely pretty emotional and such a special moment that IB次元官网网址檒l never forget,B次元官网网址� Garand said, adding that not only was his dream coming true, but sharing it with his family was important because B次元官网网址渢heyB次元官网网址檙e such a big part of itB次元官网网址� and he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be where he is without them.
When asked how the pandemic impacted his training, Garand noted that he spent the break back home in Victoria trying to get stronger and improve his skills.
B次元官网网址淚 was fortunate enough to be in a good situation and I made the most of it,B次元官网网址� he said. His summer of training was capped off with getting drafted to the NHL.
For Garand, the focus now is not to clamour for the starting goalie position but rather to do whatever it takes to ensure Team CanadaB次元官网网址檚 success.
B次元官网网址淲hatever role that weB次元官网网址檙e given, weB次元官网网址檙e all going to do our best to execute it,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 awesome to know that IB次元官网网址檓 going to be a part of this team and now itB次元官网网址檚 just time to keep going.B次元官网网址�
Team Canada and the players from nine other international teams will enter a tournament bubble in Edmonton and the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship will start on Dec. 25.
-With files from Travis Paterson and Canadian Press.
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