What the Kings Are Getting From Carter George

Recently, I had the chance to cover rookie camp on Friday, Sept. 11, at Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo and watch the Los Angeles Kings’ prospects prepare for the upcoming season. It was honestly an amazing experience and really cool to see everything up close as a credentialed writer. I got to watch the prospects compete, work on different parts of their game and get a feel for what they could bring in the future. There were a lot of talented players on the ice, but one stood out to me right away. His name is Carter George, and after watching him at camp, I came away really impressed with what he can do.

Thunder Bay Native Uses Agility to Stand Out

One of the things that impressed me most about the 6-foot-1 Canadian goaltender was how quickly he could move around the crease. He reminded me a little bit of Jonathan Quick in his prime, especially with how athletic and quick he was in the net. Quick was a huge part of the Kings’ Stanley Cup championship teams in 2012 and 2014, so seeing some of those same qualities in George was pretty cool.

Calm Under Pressure

For a young goaltender, George also showed that he can stay calm under pressure. During practice, shot after shot was fired his way, but he never seemed rattled or frustrated. Instead, he would calmly get back into his crease, reset and get ready for the next shot. That kind of composure stood out to me, especially for a goalie who aims to be the starter for the Kings one day.

He didn’t let a goal or a tough save get to him, which is something you want to see from a young goalie. He stayed focused and seemed ready for whatever came next. Even when the pace picked up, he looked comfortable in the net. It was one of the things that made him stand out to me during my time at rookie camp.

Strong Positioning

Another thing that stood out to me about George was his athleticism in the crease. He moved quickly from side to side and seemed to track the puck really well, even when the play started moving around him. He was constantly adjusting his position and getting set for the next shot. For a young goalie, that kind of quickness and awareness is really promising to see. In this video, George made Ontario Hockey League (OHL) history on Jan. 21, 2026, with the Soo Greyhounds, when he scored the second goalie goal of his career. He became the first goaltender in league history to score two goals, a remarkable accomplishment.

Excellent Awareness

The Thunder Bay standout also showed how well he can read the ice during practice. He was able to follow the puck and recognize where the play was developing before the shot came. He looked comfortable tracking the action and didn’t seem to lose sight of what was happening around him. That awareness helped him get into position quickly and stay ready for the next shot. It’s an impressive skill for a young goalie and something that could really help him as he continues to develop.

Overall, watching George at rookie camp gave me a better idea of what makes him such an interesting prospect. His quick movement, strong positioning and ability to read the ice all stood out to me. He also stayed calm when the pressure picked up and continued to battle through each shot. At just 20 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop and improve his game. The Kings have a promising young goaltender in George, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to progress. After seeing him in person, I can understand why there is so much excitement around his future.