Entering the first full weekend of competition in December in each of the nine members that comprise the Canadian Junior Hockey League, you’ll find a strong contingent of goaltenders, who are doing extremely well in stopping the puck.

Nathan Maguire of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has been a force in the crease this season, appearing in 10 games and compiling nine wins with just one overtime loss. Across 601 minutes of action, he has turned aside the majority of the 291 shots he’s faced, allowing only 22 goals for a strong 2.20 goals-against average and one shutout. Maguire’s steady presence and poise have been essential to the Thunderbirds’ success, providing confidence in pressure-filled moments and anchoring the club’s defensive structure.

“Nathan works incredibly hard. His energy and positive attitude are things everyone can learn from. We’re thrilled to see him having success. It reminds me of his early U18 days—no one knew much about him, but he just kept working and ended up having a great season. He stays calm in the net and reads the play so well that he’s rarely caught out of position.” — Coach Jamie Henderson

Of the 116 clubs across the CJHL, 37 of them boast a goals-against average of 2.50, or lower, for their respective teams.

Among those who have seen a minimum of 500 minutes of game action so far this season, leading that group is Collingwood Blues (OJHL) netminder Maksim Corovic.

The 17-year-old Stoney Creek, Ontario product currently sports a CJHL-best 1.58 GAA, to go with a .951 save percentage, which is also tops across the country.

Corovic is currently with Team Canada East, gearing up for the start of the 2025 Junior A World Challenge, which begins Sunday in Trois-Rivières, Que.

Next in the national listings, in terms of GAA, is Brady Cates of the Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL). Cates, also 17, is 8-2-1 and sits with a 1.72 average.

Third in the CJHL in this department is Easton Thvedt who plays for the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL). There the 18-year-old has produced a 1.73 mark and has gone 10-1 to date with the Pistons.

Rounding out the Top 5 are Jack Carter and Austin Dubinsky of the Rockland Nationals (CCHL) and Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL), as they hold down averages of 1.83 and 1.89 respectively. Carter has a record of 10-1 while Dubinsky is a stellar 17-1 to date.

The following link lists the CJHL’s current goals-against average leaders, as of December 4, 2025.

CJHL GOALS-AGAINST AVERAGE LEADERS

Source: CJHL/Photo Credit: Chris Dawson