Hart has edge to start for Canada at World Juniors

ST. CATHERINES, Ontario --Goalie prospect Carter Hart already had a taste of what the IIHF World Junior Championship is all about after playing for Canada at the 2017 tournament. That year of experience is why coach Dominique Ducharme said Hart has the inside track on winning the starting assignment when Canada opens against Finland at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Dec. 26.
However, Ducharme was not ready to declare Hart, 19, the starter after Canada concluded its first day of on-ice workouts at selection camp Tuesday.

"He's been through the tournament so does he have an edge? Yes," Ducharme said. "Experience is there and he's having a great season, but at the same time, we want the 22 best guys making the team.
"But he was there last year. There's a reason why and he's showing why with his season now, and we're happy to have him."
Canada has not had a goalie return for a second appearance at the World Juniors since Zach Fucale (Montreal Canadiens) in 2014 and 2015. Hart, who is 13-3-1 with a 1.32 goals-against average and .961 save percentage with Everett of the Western Hockey League this season, said the biggest lesson he learned is to better manage his emotions throughout games and the tournament.

"Just trying to stay at an even keel, trying not to get too high or too low because you never know what's going to happen in a short-term event like this," Hart said. "One minute I'm starting, the next I'm on the bench coming in early into the game. The biggest thing is just trying to find that even consistency approach."
Hart, selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (No. 48) of the 2016 NHL Draft, was 3-1-0 with a 2.38 GAA and .906 save percentage at the 2017 World Junior Championship. He started against the United States in the gold medal game and made 31 saves in a 5-4 shootout loss, a game Canada twice surrendered a two-goal lead.
"I haven't really thought about that at all to be honest," Hart said when asked if that loss is serving as motivation. "The staff has talked about it a little bit but really you can't worry about that, it's happened so long ago now. It's another chance for a whole new opportunity; [last year] doesn't matter anymore. You just have to worry about this new opportunity."
Hart admitted to being struck by the magnitude of the moment during his first game against Russia last year, when he made 14 saves in a 5-3 win.
"I was a little bit overwhelmed," Hart said. "I didn't know exactly what to expect but I think after that, I kind of settled down because I knew what the whole thing was about. Now the second time around, having experienced what the World Juniors are about, I definitely feel a lot better and the whole experience I had last year is definitely going to help for this year because now I know what to expect. It's such a short-term event, you don't have a lot of room for error."
Goalie Michael DiPietro, chosen by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (No. 64) of the 2017 draft, is hoping to challenge Hart for the starting job. But with another year of eligibility remaining, his first objective is to earn a place on Canada's roster.
"First just find my way onto the team and then once that goal is set, the next goal is obviously to play as many games as I can," DiPietro said. "I'm just going to be who I am on the ice. I can't really control Carter's play, I can only control my play."
DiPietro, 18, is 17-7-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .917 save percentage with Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League. He said his confidence to perform well in important games will set him apart.
"The way I perform under pressure," DiPietro said. "Big games I seem to rise so hopefully the coaches can see that and I can put my best foot forward here. "Just play my game, battle and compete on every puck and hopefully make this team."
Despite being the frontrunner for the starting job, Hart is not taking anything for granted.

"I think it's good to have goaltenders here to push each to be better," Hart said. "That's good healthy competition and I think that's for everyone. There's 33 guys here and only 22 spots, so that's good competition and that's hockey. It's a lot of fun. You just have to compete and work for a spot like everyone else."
Ducharme said Hart's experience could end up paying dividends for Canada.
"Having a goaltender who has gone through the tournament, it's not an easy position, it's always a challenge and it's a different stage especially for goalies," Ducharme said. "He's been through that so it's a big advantage."