Not only will hockey fans of Victoria get to gather around the TV for some of the much-anticipated sport this Christmas, they’ll get to do so while cheering on one of their very own.
18-year-old Dylan Garand has been selected as one of the three goalies that will join Team Canada’s roster for the World Juniors this year, and the young goaltender hails from none other than our own hometown.
Though Garand is currently playing for the Kamloops Blazers, he calls Victoria home and will represent Canada’s team alongside another BC-born goalie, Taylor Gauthier of the Prince George Cougars.
Northeastern University’s Devon Levi will also join the two British Columbia goaltenders.
Garand hosted an impressive 2.21 goals-against average in 42 games for the Kamloops Blazers during the 2019-20 season, which earned himself the title of New York Rangers’ fourth-round draft pick this year.
In a touching video posted by Hockey Canada on Twitter, the parents of all three young goaltenders were the ones to break the news that they had made Team Canada’s roster.
Who better to share the good news than their #1 fans?
Welcome to Team Canada, welcome to the #WorldJuniors Taylor Gauthier, Dylan Garand and Devon Levi. pic.twitter.com/M1g6DG3icM
— #WorldJuniors (@WorldJuniors) December 10, 2020
Like many young players from Vancouver Island, Garand got his start with Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey; a humble beginning before now being chosen to epresent Canada in the 2021 World Junior championships, which will take place December 25th to January 5th in Edmonton.
The tournament will kick-off on Christmas Day, with defending-champion Canada playing their first game on Boxing Day versus Germany.
