Carter George is living out his childhood dream.
George, 18, patiently waited on Day 2 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft to hear his name get called. The goaltender from Thunder Bay, Ontario did not have to wait long, as the Los Angeles Kings announced his name with the 57th overall pick in the second round.
Carter has been a lifelong Kings fan and loved watching two-time Stanley Cup winner with the team, Jonathan Quick. Getting drafted by the organization was everything he could have asked for.
He grew up wearing the Kings logo while playing for the Thunder Bay Kings, so it seems like destiny for George to join the Los Angeles franchise.
Now the work starts to become the team’s next Jonathan Quick. And he certainly has the potential and tools to become a starter in the NHL.
Related: Los Angeles May Have Found A Future No. 1 Goaltender in Carter George
On Thursday afternoon, the Kings announced that they had signed George to his three-year entry-level contract worth an average annual value of $875,000. His contract is set to expire in 2027.
George played his rookie season last year in the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack. He quickly became one of the league’s most consistent goaltenders. He posted a .907 save percentage, an impressive number considering no OHL goalie faced more rubber than him.
Carter has also been a standout netminder at the international level for his country, winning gold medals at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship last season.
He was Canada’s starting goalie at both events and was voted the best goaltender at the U18 World Championships, elevating his stock even more in the draft.
Related: 2024 NHL Draft Eligible Goaltender Carter George Stands Tall for Canada at the U18 Men’s World Championships as They Win Gold
George was invited to Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase, scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 3.
Canada’s net for the 2025 World Juniors is still very much up for grabs, although many view Buffalo Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff as the frontrunner to secure that position.
However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see George push for the starting role considering his impressive track record while wearing the maple leaf.
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