Hofer leads Canada to World Junior gold

Joel Hofer STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER

Former Swift Current Broncos netminder Joel Hofer had a staring role in Canada’s gold medal performance at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in the Czech Republic.

Hofer led the tournament with a .939 save percentage and finished with a 5-0 record and a 1.60 goals against average on his way to being named the Top Goaltender in the tournament.

He made 35 saves in Canada’s dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Russia in the championship game on Sunday.

Hofer is currently leading the WHL with a 1.81 GAA and is second with a 0.937 save percentage in 27 games with the Portland Winterhawks. He is also second with 20 wins and four shutouts.

Hofer was a member of the 2018 WHL champion Broncos team and took over the starting duties the following season before being traded to Portland in exchange for six draft picks.