‘They’ve stepped up’: Carey Price backs Canada’s goaltending ahead of 4 Nations
As Carey Price reflects on his time as a goaltender for Team Canada, he remembers the immense pressure that comes with the position. Every time Canada hits the ice in an international hockey tournament, all eyes are on the crease, and the spotlight on the goaltender can feel overwhelming.
Price has experienced this pressure firsthand at major events like the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championship, the 2014 Olympics, and the 2016 World Cup. Despite the nerves that come with playing such high-stakes games, Price thrives in these situations.
Having recently announced the end of his career with the Montreal Canadiens due to injury, Price looks ahead to the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. While Team Canada may not have the same legendary goaltending pedigree as in the past, Price believes in the abilities of the current netminders.
The goaltenders selected for the tournament include Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault. While their statistics may not be the most impressive in the NHL, Price is confident that they can rise to the challenge.
With offensive stars like Connor McDavid and Cale Makar leading the way for Canada, goaltending will be a key talking point during the 4 Nations tournament. The United States, with standout goalie Connor Hellebuyck, appears to have a significant advantage in the crease.
However, the 4 Nations tournament is a short and high-stakes event, with each team playing three round-robin games before a winner-take-all final on February 20. Binnington and Hill have both hoisted the Stanley Cup, while Montembeault has experience winning gold at the world championship.
Price and veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury have confidence in the Canadian goaltending trio, despite the doubts from some critics. McDavid also expresses his belief that the three goalies will rise to the occasion and perform well for Team Canada.
While goaltending may not be a major concern for Team Canada at the 4 Nations tournament, it’s a conversation that Canadian hockey fans are not used to having as they look ahead to the NHL’s return to the Olympics in 2026. Price, who likely would have been the top choice for the 2018 Games, emphasizes the rarity and importance of these opportunities.
As the Canadian goaltenders prepare for the 4 Nations tournament, Price encourages them to focus on their job and embrace the honor of representing their country on the international stage. With a talented roster supporting them, the trio in the crease will aim to do just that.
