Dylan Garand of Langford had no idea what the early-morning knock on his hotel-room door meant in Red Deer, Alta. Sometimes in those moments, you think the worst.
But it was good news as the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association product was about to be told he will be one of the three goaltenders for host sa国际传媒 in the 2021 IIHF world junior hockey championship tournament this month in Edmonton.
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 quite sure they were going to get down to the final three [Thursday],鈥� said Garand, in a Zoom call with media.
鈥淚 kind of got woken up and called down to meet with the coaches. I was a bit nervous that maybe I was being sent home. But when they told us the news it was a pretty great feeling to know I was going to be a part of this team.鈥�
The moment was made more memorable by the way team officials informed him of the news as they handed Garand a phone with his parents on the other end from the Island. All three goaltenders got to be informed by their parents.
鈥淭hat was pretty emotional and such a special moment,鈥� Garand said.
鈥淚鈥檒l never forget my parents telling me my dreams are coming true. And how much it means to them. They are such a big part of it. It鈥檚 as much their accomplishment as it is ours. It was a super cool moment.鈥�
Two of the three sa国际传媒 goaltenders are from the sa国际传媒 Division of the Western Hockey League. Garand, of the Kamloops Blazers, and Taylor Gauthier, of the Prince George Cougars, have stymied many a Victoria Royals shooter the past few years.
鈥淲e have had battles throughout the years and gained a lot of respect for each other,鈥� said Gauthier.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to be on the same side and not going against each other.鈥�
The other Canadian goaltender selected is Devon Levi from Northeastern University of the NCAA. Brett Brochu and Tristan Lennox were cut.
Now begins the battle for the starting spot.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all here. We鈥檙e all part of the team,鈥� said Garand, a fourth-round draft selection this year of the New York Rangers.
鈥淲hatever role we鈥檙e given, we鈥檒l do our best to execute and do the best job, whatever it is 鈥� being the third goalie or being the No. 1 guy playing the games. Whatever it takes to help the team achieve the ultimate goal of winning the gold medal is what we are here to do.鈥�
Meanwhile, former Victoria Grizzlies captain Alex Newhook survived Thursday鈥檚 cuts as five forwards were let go to leave 34 players in camp. Newhook had a goal and assist in Wednesday鈥檚 scrimmage game. The elusive and quick centre was sa国际传媒 Hockey League top rookie and then MVP in his two seasons in Victoria, selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and named 2019-20 NCAA rookie of the year with Boston College.
鈥淸Newhook] has lots of speed and good balance and is strong with a good shot,鈥� said Canadian head coach Andr茅 Tourigny.
鈥淗e is a two-way player who is really solid. And he has lots of energy and good spark.鈥�
The 25-player host-team roster for the world junior championship tournament in Edmonton is expected to be announced today. The tournament begins Christmas Day with defending-champion sa国际传媒 opening on Boxing Day against Germany.
There was a final scrimmage held Thursday night in Red Deer. The Canadian team moves up to Edmonton on Sunday. Camp resumed Tuesday as the Canadian players came off a two-week quarantine after two players tested positive for Covid-19.
