Blazers goaltender Dylan Garand might be the front-runner to be Canada's starter for the 2022 edition of the world juniors (Image Credit: Hockey Canada)

By Chad Klassen

2021 WORLD JUNIORS

Garand looking forward to earning Team Canada’s starting job for 2022 tournament

Jan 8, 2021 | 4:19 PM

KAMLOOPS — Dylan Garand didn’t see much game action — only a period in a 16-2 rout of Germany in the opener — but he left the Edmonton bubble a better netminder than when he arrived, even if he simply practiced.

“That was a big thing that I was excited for. Just to be able to practice with those guys,” Garand told CFJC Today over Zoom. “Obviously that is the next level, so getting a taste if that and pushing myself and competing against those guys was something I was really excited for and something I took advantage of and really made the most of it.”

Garand was the back-up to starter Devon Levi throughout the tournament. The one thing Garand took away from the practice, and limited game action, was the calibre of play at the next level. It was an eye-opening experience for the 18 year old.

“It’s so much better, so much faster. Everyone can score. You have to be so much better every single day. That’s probably the big thing that I took away and something I’m going to continue to work for,” he said.

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After the tournament, Garand decided to drive back to his hometown Victoria instead of staying in Kamloops — only stopping in the River City briefly to get his car fixed before finishing the trek home.

His Blazers teammate Inaki Baragano, who played in his second world junior tournament for Switzerland, came straight here to practice with the city’s junior hockey cohort — not wanting to quarantine by returning home to Switzerland.

“I’m so happy to be with the boys and hopefully get the season started,” said Baragano.

Baragano, like Garand, got another taste at just how good the next level is, gaining valuable experience despite the Swiss’ 0-4 record.

“We had a young team, we didn’t win a lot of games, but I think it was a big experience for me and for the Swiss team for next year.”

Garand is looking forward to redemption at next year’s tournament after the world junior loss. With starter Devon Levi not coming back, the job might be his to lose.

“Hopefully I get the opportunity to be the No. 1 guy,” he said. “I told all the guys that we were going to win it for them next year.”