From his OHL debut in an eight round exhibition shootout last season in Barrie to cheering him on in net for Canada’s U18 team in the gold medal match at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer, you can’t help but root for Carter George. The rookie (if that terms still applies after what he’s already done) has quickly become a fan favourite among Owen Sound Attack fans. But despite his early accomplishments, George keeps putting in the work day in and day out with clear goals in mind, to become the #1 netminder in the Scenic City and to help push the team to their limits this season. We caught up with Carter after practice on Monday at the Bayshore.

First off thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. You started the regular season with a big win Saturday over the Barrie Colts and earned the first star of the game. Pretty sweet way to start things. How are you feeling about kicking off your first full season in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack?

It’s a lot nicer being here for the year and knowing you don’t have to go back and forth. Last year, every time I got sent back, it just made me work harder to get back up here. And now that I’m up here, I am honored and I appreciate all of it. But I still have to work hard day in and day out to try and get that number one role. I have to keep pushing Corbin for it, day in and day out. I’ve got to be in the gym doing little things to get better every day. I’m so excited for the season and I love that I am finally here full time.

Let’s talk a bit about your OHL debut game against the Barrie Colts last season. Owen Sound was down and they put you in. You allowed no goals in regulation giving the team a chance to catch up and then made 8 saves in the shootout to take the win. Tell us a bit about that night. From getting put in net to the pressure of that shootout?

Well, I don’t really remember too much before I was going in net (laughs). I was kind of just embracing the moment. I believe it was only my second or third game on the bench in the OHL so I was still embracing that moment in itself. And then second period came around, and Wally looked down at me and said, “Get ready, kid, because you may be going in here”. So I started stretching out just in case. A minute later, they scored, and Wally said, “Get in the net”. So the only nerves I really had time for was trying not to fall as I skated to the net. Once I was in there, I calmed down a bit. I saved my first shot and it settled down from there. The team played great in front of me and we were able to make a comeback and start scoring. They were blocking a lot of shots and made my job really easy. We ended up going to a shootout, and winning in the 8th round.  I think it was Julian Fantino who scored a pretty sweet goal. And yeah, the rest was history.

How do you practice for the pressure of a shootout?

Honestly, I’ve always enjoyed shootouts. One of my favorite things about the game is shootouts. I love winning a shootout because the spotlight is on you. I practice breakaways and shootouts all the time after practice with Barlow and everyone, so I basically see the different moves a player can make all the time. I love knowing that you’re one-on-one and no other factors are there to deal with. It’s just you versus the shooter. And that’s my favorite thing: My skill versus your skill. That’s kind of how I see it.

Last year as a rookie you had quite the experience with the team, playing your maximum of 10 games. How did you feel about rejoining your St Mary’s team for playoffs and playing as a backup in that series?

It was tough. I was very frustrated. It was a hard because I wanted to be in the net both in Junior B and up here. I wanted to be playing, but I had to sit in the sidelines for both. So it was super tough for me and it was a mental battle for sure. I just tried to stick with it and keep working each day to get better no matter what, because you never know. If I was able to get that call, would I be able to play? And if I was going to play, would I be ready for it? I was doing everything day in and day out, trying to stay focused and stay ready just in case my number came up. It was a tough time, but sometimes you have those situations, and they are preparing you for the future. You’re not always going to be the number one guy. You’re going to play back up at some point. So I like to think it was just preparing me for any situation I have in the future.

This summer you got the invite to the Hlinka Gretzky U18 tournament in Europe. First tell us how that came about originally?

So I was actually at work. I was working at MacDonald’s when the call came. I got this call from the States twice and I had no idea who it was. It was a California number. So when I went on my break, I called it back and it was Justin Pogge. And he said, “Oh, hey, Carter, I’m just calling because you made the U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup team for Team Canada”.  And I was just in shock. And I’m not going to lie, I may have messed up a few ice caps later that day because I was not very focused (laughs). But, yeah, it was crazy. It was kind of a surprise for me and my family. It was a pretty surreal moment.

What kind of expectations did you go over there with in terms of playing time and experience? They took 3 goalies right?

Basically going over, I knew that there were two great goalies alongside me. Both had played in the CHL full time and both had great seasons. So the goalie coach, Justin Pogge told us, the best goalie coming out of the week of practice is going to play first. Then the next best would be backup. I was fortunate enough that I was able to back up at the start of the tournament, and then I got my opportunity and I just tried to make most of it. It was basically just putting in work day in and day out and trying to do my best. And every practice, you prepared like a game and it felt like a game situation because you knew everyone was always watching you. They want to see your every move. You had to be ready because you never know when your opportunity was going to come. I was fortunate enough I was able to get an opportunity and I was fortunate enough I was able to make the most of it.

Talk about the first game that you were put in net for Team Canada?

My first start was a Slovakian game and it was rainy and humid outside, so the arena was super foggy. The first period was pretty bad. It was probably the best period, though, out of them all. It was just a little foggy…  I could actually see the other end. But once the second period rolled around and the third period, I couldn’t see past the far blue line. I really couldn’t see any of our players in the offensive zone. So I watched most of our goals on the jumbotron. In the zone, you were able to see the puck, but it was still pretty foggy and pretty tough. It was something I don’t think I’ll ever experience again. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Did you ever think that this early on in your career you’d go from answering that call to playing in a gold medal game for Canada? Tell us how that felt?

It kind of sunk in right before the game and it was like, ‘I’m really playing for gold medal, right? Like I was just working at McDonald’s and now I’m here’. In the game, I just tried to give the team the best chance of winning. The team played great in front of me. They stuck to the system and we stuck to the game plan and kept battling. Their goalie was standing on his head.

We were fortunate enough to get a break in overtime and Spence scored a ridiculous goal for us and it was a pretty crazy moment. The game itself was super high paced. It was incredible. The fans and the atmosphere there was crazy. Drums everywhere, loud noises anytime the Czechs touched the puck. The crowd was going nuts. It was a crazy experience. I don’t think I’ll ever have that again. It was unbelievable.

Describe those moments after the buzzer went and the team celebrated

When Spence scored, it went in the net and I froze for a moment. I didn’t process that we actually had just won the game. I froze and he skated down to me, he’s a great teammate going to the goalie, and and I was like, Oh, I’ve got to be ready for this, because he was still flying, so I thought I was going to get tumbled there. Yeah, it was pretty crazy for him to score with 7 seconds left in overtime. It was a pretty surreal moment and something I’ll never forget in my life.

Your first full season with the Attack lies ahead. Tell us what this group is like as a team? What are your expectations for yourself and this group?

I’m super excited. I was so excited for Saturday’s game. I just want the season to get going and get rolling because I know we have a special group and a special leadership group. We have a great group of guys. I think we’re really talented and we have a really good shot of going far this year. Obviously we were disappointed last year losing to London in four, but I think it will be a different scenario this year. I think we could really do some damage in playoffs. I’m really excited and I just can’t wait for it all to happen.

They say goalies are a little bit crazy. Agree or disagree and why or why not?

I would agree. Some goalies have some crazy, weird rituals or routines that they have to do every day. I try not to be superstitious, but I do have my routine and I like to stick to my routine. I try my best not to get thrown off it, but it’s okay if I do. I like everything a certain way and I’m super picky about my equipment. If something’s not right, I’ll let the trainers know and they’ll fix it for me right away. But yes, some goalies are pretty crazy.

Some people look at the goalie as a very individual position. How important is the team to your game play?

It’s so important.  You have six guys on the ice all working as one in the D zone itself. If the guys aren’t there, you’re going to get beat up, right? So I like to say it’s a six man unit on defense because we’re all working together. All of my stats reflect on the team because they’re making my job easier by playing in front of me and blocking shots. I know Taos had two great blocks Saturday and helped to save a couple of goals. We have a new system Rums (Darren Rumble) brought in and it’s working really well for us. It’s making my job a lot easier.

Thanks so much for your time Carter and we are looking forward to seeing you in net this year for the Attack.

Thank you! I can’t wait to keep things going.