New York Rangers goalie prospect Dylan Garand has an opportunity of a lifetime right now.
Garand is one of the three goalies to represent Canada at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship as he is joined by Jordan Binnington and Marc-André Fleury.
When he was asked if he wanted to play for Team Canada, Garand was quick with his response.
“It was kind of a no-brainer to come,” Garand said. “Anytime you get to represent your country, it’s obviously a huge honor. Typically a tournament like this is mostly NHL players and I’m not at that level yet, so for me obviously it was a no-brainer for me to come here and learn. Our roster is pretty insane. It’s really cool to be a part of it and be with these guys every day and just learn as much as I can.”
Fleury is playing his last hockey games of his career before officially retiring here in Stockholm, Sweden, and Garand not only gets to be a part of that, but he’s in the same goalie room as a true legend of the sport.
“It’s been pretty surreal,” Garand said about playing alongside Fleury. “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is how good of a guy he is and how he carries himself off of the ice. Being around him has been great.”
The 22-year-old has started one game for Canada so far and he posted a shutout in their 4-0 victory over Team Latvia to open up the World Championship.
Garand played for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League all season long. While the Wolf Pack didn’t end up making the AHL Playoffs, Garand had an excellent individual season.
He recorded a 20-10-9 record, .913 save percentage, and 2.73 goals against average while also representing the Atlantic Division at the AHL All-Star Game this season.
Throughout the year, Garand felt himself making significant strides in his game.
“I think obviously, as a team we didn’t have a great year. We didn’t get in the playoffs, which is obviously tough, but individually, I thought I had a really good year,” Garand said. “I think I just gave the guys a chance to win every night. We would have liked to win some more games and get in the playoffs. I think individually,I like where my game is at.”
With Igor Shesterkin running the show in New York and the Rangers giving Jonathan Quick a one-year contract extension, it’s hard to envision Garand getting much of an opportunity in the NHL for the 2025-24 season.
However, you never know what could happen and Garand is confident in his abilities to thrive at an NHL level if he’s called upon.
“I haven’t gotten any opportunity in the NHL yet, but obviously I’m ready whenever my opportunity does come,” Garand said.
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