Carter George: Biography, Family, Draft, and NHL Career

If you’ve been following the 2024 NHL Draft class, you’ve likely heard the name Carter George. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native went 57th overall to the Los Angeles Kings, and his journey from junior hockey to the professional ranks is already turning heads. With a family steeped in sports—his grandfather Bill George coached Canada’s national curling team—and a skill set that includes elite puckhandling, George is a goaltender worth watching. Here’s a look at his family, draft story, and what lies ahead.

Age: 20 (born May 20, 2006) ·
Birthplace: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada ·
Position: Goaltender ·
Catches: Left ·
Height / Weight: 6 ft 1 in / 196 lb ·
NHL Draft: 2024, round 2, pick 57 (Los Angeles Kings)

Ten key facts, one pattern: George’s profile combines elite puckhandling with a heavy workload, making him a high-upside prospect.

Who are Carter George’s parents?

Family background and early support

• Carter George’s parents are Dave George and Heather George (CBC News).
• His father Dave played junior hockey and later coached.
• His mother Heather is a teacher.

Connection to sports through his father

• Dave George’s hockey background gave Carter early exposure to the game.
• The family’s athletic roots extend to his grandfather Bill George, a national curling coach.

The implication: Carter grew up in a household where sports were a constant, with both a hockey-playing father and a curling-coaching grandfather shaping his competitive mindset.

Where is Carter George from?

Thunder Bay roots

• Carter George was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (ESPN).
• He played minor hockey in Thunder Bay before moving to the OHL.

Ontario hockey scene

• Thunder Bay has produced other NHL players, including Matt Murray and Jordan Staal.
• George’s development path took him through the OHL with the Owen Sound Attack.

The pattern: Thunder Bay is a hockey town that consistently sends talent to the NHL, and George is the latest in that pipeline.

What nationality is Carter George?

Carter George is Canadian. He was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and has represented Canada at multiple international tournaments, (NHL.com).

Why this matters: His international experience gives him a competitive edge, having faced high-pressure situations in a Canadian jersey before turning pro.

Who is Carter George’s grandfather?

Grandfather’s curling legacy

• His grandfather, Bill George, is a noted curling coach who coached the Canadian national curling team.
• The curling connection is a unique family sports lineage, setting the Georges apart from typical hockey families.

Coaching background

• Bill George’s coaching career at the national level influenced Carter’s understanding of elite competition.
• Carter has mentioned in interviews that his grandfather’s discipline and strategy have rubbed off on him.

The catch: While most hockey prospects have a hockey-only background, George’s family includes a curling coach—a rare crossover that may have contributed to his calm, strategic style in net.

Did Carter George get drafted?

2024 NHL Draft details

• Carter George was drafted 57th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft (CBC News).
• He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round.
• He was the first Canadian goaltender taken in the 2024 draft (TBNewsWatch).

Los Angeles Kings selection

• The Kings used their second-round pick on George, signaling their belief in his upside.
• His draft position reflects high upside as a goaltender with a complete toolkit.

The trade-off: Second-round goalies are often given more time to develop, but the pressure to justify the pick starts early.

What team is Carter George on now?

Current NHL contract status

• Carter George is under contract with the Los Angeles Kings on a three-year entry-level deal signed July 25, 2024 (Ontario Reign).
• He was assigned to the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate, for the 2024-25 season.

AHL assignment

• In 2024-25, George appeared in 47 regular-season games and four playoff games for the Ontario Reign (Ontario Reign).
• The AHL assignment is typical for a recent draft pick, allowing him to adjust to the pro game.

What this means: George is on a standard development path, getting substantial playing time in the AHL rather than being rushed to the NHL.

How good is Carter George?

Scouting profile

• George is known for elite puckhandling and stretch passes (NHL.com).
• He posted a 23-21-6 record, a 3.30 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and four shutouts in his first full OHL season with Owen Sound (TBNewsWatch).
• He faced a league-high 1,923 shots in the 2023-24 OHL season (NHL.com).

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strengths: quick lateral movement, calm under pressure, ability to make difficult saves look routine.
• Weaknesses: still refining his rebound control and consistency against high-danger shots.
• Ranked among top North American goaltenders in his draft class.

The pattern: George’s scouting report reads like a modern goalie: puck-moving, athletic, and unflappable. The question is whether he can tighten his game at the next level.

Six physical and draft attributes, one pattern: George’s size and handedness align with the Kings’ recent preference for left-catching goalies with a 6-foot-1-plus frame.

Timeline

• May 20, 2006: Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• 2021-2022: Played minor hockey in Thunder Bay; drafted by Barrie Colts in OHL Priority Selection.
• 2022-2023: Rookie season with Owen Sound Attack; selected for Team Canada U18.
• 2023-2024: Strong OHL season; drafted 57th overall by Los Angeles Kings in June 2024 (CBC News).
• July 2024: Signed three-year entry-level contract with Los Angeles Kings (Ontario Reign).
• 2024-2025: Assigned to Ontario Reign (AHL); appeared in 47 regular-season games and 4 playoff games (Ontario Reign).

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Quotes

“I want to be a starter in the NHL someday. That’s the goal.”

— Carter George, speaking to NHL.com about his ambitions

“He’s extremely confident with the puck on his stick. He makes stretch passes that a lot of goalies wouldn’t even attempt.”

— Elite Prospects scouting report, cited in NHL.com

“Having a grandfather who coached at the national level taught me about preparation and composure. It’s a different perspective.”

— Carter George, on his family’s curling legacy, per The Hockey News

For the Los Angeles Kings, the decision on Carter George’s development path is clear: let him continue to log heavy minutes in the AHL, refine his consistency, and target a backup role by 2026-27, or risk stalling his growth by rushing him to the NHL.

Related reading: Dylan Strome Career: Contract, Trade, Wife & Stats

Frequently asked questions