Garand looking ahead to pro career, Stankoven excited for Memorial Cup after award wins

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“You don’t really go into the season expecting to win awards, [but] for the end of the season to come and be recognized for that award is a huge honour,” he told CFJC Today from the Memorial Cup in Saint John, New Brunswick. “It’s cool for myself and my teammates as well. Huge credit to them. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

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Garand finished among the league leaders with a .925 saves percentage, 2.16 goals against average, and had the most wins (34) and shutouts (4).

He’s the first Blazers goaltender to win the country’s top award since Corey Hirsch in 1991-92.

“I think it’s pretty cool. When you look at the names on those trophies, a lot of them have played in the NHL and had successful careers. It’s pretty cool to be a part of that. I’m definitely trying to follow in their footsteps and have a good NHL career myself,” said Garand.

Garand will begin with the Hartford WolfPack, where he played in two games before the WHL’s hub season last year.

His focus now is on New York Rangers camp and learning from players like Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin, who’s emerged as the next great goaltender in the NHL, backstopping the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final this spring.

“For me personally, I don’t think I’ll get [to the Rangers] for another two or three years, so I still got some time, but to be part of an organization that’s kind of on the the upswing and has a bright future, it’s pretty cool,” he said. “For me, hopefully I have the opportunity to play with and learn from Shesterkin. It’ll be a couple years until I’m in competition with him for games, but for now I’m going to try and learn as much as I can.”

Garand has been at the Memorial Cup in Saint John, New Brunswick with teammate Logan Stankoven, who joins the likes of Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, and most recently Alexis Lafreniere as winners of the CHL Player of the Year.

The 5’7″ local phenom and Dallas Stars prospect had 45 goals and 59 assists for third in the WHL, but he had a league-best 1.76 points per game.

“Some of the players that have won this award before, they’re pretty talented players and have made good careers in the NHL,” said Stankoven. “For my name to be mentioned with these guys, it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Obviously a huge shoutout to everyone who’s helped me get to where I am today.”

Stankoven, who took in all the Memorial Cup festivities, can’t wait for the 2023 championship in his hometown.

“You don’t want to look too far ahead, but it’s hard not to,” he said. “Being able to grow up and play junior hockey in your hometown, but then to have the Memorial Cup to play for, it’s going to be awesome. I know myself, my teammates and the whole city of Kamloops is going to be looking forward to it.”