OTTAWA -- Carter George is heading to the World Junior Hockey Championship
The 18-year-old goaltender from Thunder Bay has been named to Canada's national under-20 team for this year's tournament, which begins on Boxing Day in Ottawa.
George, who plays in the Ontario Hockey League for the Owen Sound Attack, officially made the squad on Friday afternoon following the conclusion of Hockey Canada's selection camp.
The Los Angeles Kings prospect one of three goaltenders on the roster. The other two are Carson Bjarnason of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings and Jack Ivankovic of the Ontario Hockey League's Brampton Steelheads.
Bjarnason is a signed prospect of the Philadelphia Flyers and Ivankovic is eligible to be selected at the 2026 National Hockey League draft.
George is the first player from Thunder Bay to play for Canada at the World Juniors since goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood in 2016.
This marks the third time that George has represented his country on the international stage. He won a gold medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2024 World Under-18 Hockey Championship.
Canada's first action will be during a pre-tournament game against Switzerland on Dec. 19 in Ottawa. They also have exhibition contests with Sweden and Czechia on Dec. 21 and 23 respectively.
The team's first round-robin matchup is against Finland on Boxing Day.