MS in Hockey Hockey U18 2025: Jack Ivankovic before the semi -finals of Slovakia – Canada
BRATISLAVA. In five matches in the tournament they scored 32 goals, decorates them great offensive power, but the biggest support of the team is the goalkeeper. Jack Ivankovic is considered the greatest hockey talents of Canada.
On Friday from 22.00 (live on JOJ Sport) it will try to overcome young Slovaks in the semifinals World Championships under 18 years of age.
Despite the young age, a 17-year-old Canadian has had several remarkable performances. Last year he won with Canada Hlinka Gretzky Cup, when he only scored three goals (96.7%success rate) in four matches.
At the U17 Hockey Challenge, he helped the Canada White triumph and caught one match at the turn of the twenty championship.
« In recent years, many Canadian goalies have not come to the NHL, especially from Ontaria. Ivankovic has all the prerequisites to change it, » the Hockey News wrote about it last year.
The young Canadian walks in his father’s footsteps. Frank Ivankovic was also a goalkeeper, in 1995 he was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 9th round, but he never played in the NHL. On the other hand, the son – at least according to experts – has a much greater perspective.
« I think it’s an exceptional goalkeeper. I have been doing this in this industry quite a long time to judge it. Jack has everything. He has athletic and positioning skills, he’s competitive. Sometimes you feel that it doesn’t even have to move.
And he’s a great boy. He does everything right outside the ice. You can see him give extra doses in the gym, ”praises the general manager and coach of the team Brampton Steelheads James Richmond, who chose it last year in the 1st round of draft ontario Hockey League as the highest built goalkeeper.
Video: Analysis of Canadian goalkeeper Jack Ivankovic
Whenever his name is mentioned, it usually follows « but » about its size.
Ivankovic (so far) has grown to a height of 183 cm. This is the topic that is discussed among hockey experts. Last season there were only eight out of 98 goalies who caught at least one NHL match, 183 cm high and less.
« I listen to the speech that he is not 198 cm or 199 cm, but I see the puck not get behind his back. I was in Los Angeles when he caught Jonathan Quick, measured 183 cm and was pretty good. Without him they wouldn’t get the Stanley Cup twice, » Richmond argued.
VIDEO: Matching Match for 3. Hockey World Championship U18 2023
The Canadians in the A-group at the World Championship 18 performed sovereignly, but in the quarterfinals they had Nála, when they eliminated the Czech Republic to a goal in the overtime.
Goalkeeper Ivankovica also asked about the semifinal opponent. In the group, the Canadians won the Slovaks clearly 9: 2. « It will not be easy to conquer them twice in a row, but we have to focus on ourselves, » he replied.
Moderator Laura Diakunová also reminded a commemorative duel of both teams two years ago in the TSN TV studio, when he decided to win the Canadians in the 8th minute Macklin Celebrini, the NHL draft unit last year.
Slovakia fought to the semifinal of the World Championship 18 for the third time in a row. In the years 2023 and 2024 remained in the tournament without a medal.
