Carter George looking to help pen Canada's world junior redemption story

Carter George was unable, at least initially, to fully process what had unfolded.

The Canadian goaltender did his part at last year's world junior hockey championship in Ottawa, a tournament on home soil that looked poised to be a career highlight.

It instead turned into a nation's capital nightmare.

Canada crashed out at the quarterfinal stage for a second time in 12 months with a disastrous performance that resulted in top-to-bottom criticism and a subsequent program overhaul. George, meanwhile, dusted himself off - getting back with the Ontario Hockey League's Owen Sound Attack provided an early boost - and is thankful for another crack at international glory.

"I learned lots about myself and lots about how to handle those kinds of situations," said the Thunder Bay, Ont., product. "It was frustrating and super difficult that next week and a bit. It didn't really sink in right away. Once it did, that's when it was pretty tough."

George topped last year's tournament field with a .936 save percentage, 1.76 goals-against average and two shutouts, but the netminder's teammates found a way through the oppositions' goalies just nine times in four games after a 4-0 victory over Finland before fading quietly into the crisp January air.

A champion at the under-18 level and a second-round draft pick of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, George had never experienced anything like the soul-crushing heartbreak of failing to even make the medal round at an event he had circled since minor hockey.

"It's a blessing to be able to get a second chance," said the 19-year-old. "Every guy in that room and all the staff is going to do anything to make sure we win gold."

Canada opens round-robin action at the annual showcase Friday in