Calm in the Chaos
By The Prospect Don
There’s something different about Jack Ivankovic.
In a position where every mistake is magnified, and every shot can tilt the fate of a team, he doesn’t just survive, he thrives. The Brampton Steelheads netminder, projected to be one of the first goalie taken in the 2025 NHL Draft, plays with a calm that you can feel even from the stands. But behind that poise is a fire that fuels everything he does.
When I spoke with Jack, I asked him who he sees himself in at the NHL level. His answer came without hesitation.
“Juuse Saros right now,” he said. “I think just the way he’s always battling for pucks and competing. Someone I also watch is Jake Oettinger, the way he moves around the crease, how calm he is. His ability to keep his team in games and steal games… that’s the big thing.”
If you’ve watched Jack play, you can see exactly what he means. He tracks the puck like it owes him money. He is calm, cool and collective and when the moment gets loud, he gets quieter. That ability to block out the noise, stay in the moment, and keep calm is a trait that all the top goalies need to possess.
“I think my game will translate pretty well,” he told me. “I’m competitive, but also calm and athletic. The guys who make it, Saros, Shesterkin, those types, they don’t look robotic. They’re just athletes. That’s what I try to be.”
But growth doesn’t happen without setbacks. Jack opened up about a moment earlier this season that tested his discipline and focus.
“I got into a little fight at the start of the year,” he said with a bit of a grin. “I got suspended for four games. That was hard, almost three weeks without playing. It’s tough staying sharp when you’re not in the net. But I found ways to keep my edge.”
It’s a reminder that even the most composed players have to learn through adversity. For Jack, it wasn’t just about staying in shape physically—it was about learning how to stay ready mentally, even when the rhythm of the season gets thrown off.
When we talked about what it means to truly succeed as a goalie in the NHL, he didn’t talk about save percentages or awards.
“Winning. That’s the big thing,” he said. “You look at Hellebuyck this year, he’s winning games. Vasilevskiy when they won those two Cups, he won games. That’s what matters.”
And for Jack, it’s not just about the wins on the ice. It’s about the mark he leaves off it.
“I want to be someone who’s a great teammate, but also a winner,” he said. “You hear about guys like Marc André Fleury, he’s still playing, and everyone talks about how good of a room guy he is. Same with Jonathan Quick. Those guys didn’t just win, they made people around them better. That’s what I want to be.”
Looking ahead, Jack isn’t making promises. But he knows what he’s working toward.
“Every kid dreams of playing in the NHL,” he said. “You never know what can happen in five years. But for me, I just want to use that time to tune my game, so when the opportunity comes, I’m ready.”
Jack Ivankovic is calm. He’s focused. He’s battle-tested. And he’s just getting started.