Golden Guard: Raiders goalie coach wins gold medal at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

“The one game, we let a goal in with I think it was 26 seconds left,” said Guard. “The whole team played well defensively. They bought into what (our coaches) wanted to preach. Our goalies made some saves as well. I tip my hat to them, they really prepared. Sometimes you forget these kids are 17 years old. The way they conducted themselves and got prepared, you could see the confidence in them on the ice.”

The goaltenders for Canada in this tournament were Scott Ratzlaff of the Seattle Thunderbirds, Carson Bjaranason of the Brandon Wheat Kings, and Jackson Unger of the Moose Jaw Warriors. Coming from three different organizations and with various trainers and advisors in their ear, the task for Guard was to give them advice from his own well of experience that would help build on what they already knew.

“They’ve gotten there on their skill and their talent level,” said Guard. “My aim is just to go in there and show them there are ways to play smartly and efficiently and be a good teammate. It’s a short-term competition, you can’t be thinking a thousand different things or try to be perfect.”

This tournament marked the second time in less than a year that Guard has been on Hockey Canada’s radar. He was part of their coaching staff at the Capital City Challenge in Ottawa in November and December of 2021.

“I’m humbled,” Guard said. “Hopefully I can get another chance, another shot at another level and just keep learning from experience after experience, and taking what I learn from those experiences and bringing them back to PA with the Raiders.”

Canada defeated Sweden 4-1 in the gold medal game to finish the tournament with a 5-0 record, having outscored their opposition 34-3.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP

by Rob Mahon

Golden Guard: Raiders goalie coach wins gold medal at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

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