Ottawa 67's Goalie Jaeden Nelson Reflects on Scoring Aspirations Amid Carter George's Historic Achievement
In the world of hockey, goaltenders are typically celebrated for their saves, not their scoring prowess. However, a recent feat by Soo Greyhounds netminder Carter George has sparked conversations across the Ontario Hockey League, including with Ottawa 67's goalie Jaeden Nelson. After watching replays of George scoring his second OHL goal, Nelson found himself re-evaluating his own practice routines and aspirations.
The Dream of Every Goalie: Scoring a Goal
"Ahhh, he's lived every goalie's dream twice now," Nelson remarked with a laugh after a recent practice session. The Ottawa 67's puckstopper expressed a mix of admiration and envy, noting, "Part of me says that's not fair, and part of me wants to just get out there and work on scoring goals every day." This sentiment highlights a rare but coveted milestone in hockey, where goalies occasionally get the chance to fire the puck into an empty net.
Nelson, who registered an assist earlier this season for his first OHL point, joked about being in a points race with George. "I guess you could say I'm chasing him," he said, adding, "I've never even attempted to score. I've never thought about it. I feel I might miss ... I'd think about it too much." His candid admission underscores the mental hurdles goalies face when contemplating such an offensive move.
Carter George's Remarkable Achievement
Carter George, a three-time medalist with Team Canada and a signed second-round pick of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, has made waves in the OHL. Since being acquired from the Owen Sound Attack, he has won all four of his games, allowing only five goals. His recent goal, an approximate 197-foot empty-netter in a 5-2 victory over the London Knights, marked his 11th point in 140 OHL games over four seasons.
"It's probably bad to say, but I knew at four minutes I was gonna try at least once," George told the Sault Star after the game. He described the moment: "Once I got that puck and I saw them go for a change, I knew I had a lane and I kind of whiffed on it, actually, so I was all pissed at that. And then I realized it had legs and it was still good." This goal makes George only the second goaltender in CHL history to score two goals, joining François Brassard from the QMJHL in the 2014-15 season.
The Challenges and Mindset of a Goalie Scorer
For Nelson, the desire to score is tempered by practical considerations. He outlined two main reasons why he has never attempted to fire the puck down the ice at an empty net. "One, everyone on the ice in front of me is working so hard to not stay in our zone in a 6-on-5 or 6-on-4," he explained. "If it's 6-on-5 and I ice it, there's a faceoff in our zone. It puts more pressure on the centre to win a draw that didn't need it, or puts more pressure on everyone else to find a guy and not let him get a clear shot off."
He added, "Or, if they get a shot off, it could hit off something ..." emphasizing the risks involved. Despite these challenges, Nelson's ambition remains strong. "I want to be in that situation," he said. "Every goalie really wants to score a goal. I want to score a goal so bad."
Looking Ahead: Inspiration and Aspiration
George's historic performance serves as both inspiration and a benchmark for goalies like Nelson. As the OHL season progresses, fans and players alike will be watching to see if more netminders join this exclusive club. For now, Nelson continues to focus on his primary role while harboring dreams of one day scoring that elusive goal, proving that even in the crease, the thrill of offense can captivate a goalie's heart.
