The 2005 World Juniors team is thought of as one of the most talented groups ever assembled by Hockey Canada. Superstars like Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, Patrice Bergeron, Corey Perry, Brent Seabrook, Shea Weber, and Mike Richards highlighted the roster that featured several players that should’ve been playing in the NHL, but were available due to the lockout.

The club outscored its opponents 41-7 over the tournament, and helped kick star a five-year gold medal streak for Canada.

Whenever that team is brought up in discussion, it’s easy to forget who backstopped the club. That would be none other than 32-year-old Jeff Glass, who was drafted in the 3rd round (89th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft  by the Ottawa Senators.

Glass fine tuned his craft in the ECHL, AHL, and KHL for over 13 years, playing for six different KHL clubs over a seven year span. Glass returned to North America and was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks last February to a two-year contract that would see him get the majority amount of the starts for the Rockford Ice Hogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate.

With Corey Crawford on the shelf, Scott Darling now in Carolina, and Anton Forsberg struggling to find consistency in the crease, it was up to Glass to get the ‘Hawks back on track after being thumped by the Canucks on Thursday night. The journeyman delivered, notching 42 saves in his first NHL win. It was a special moment to say the least, as Glass was congratulated by his teammates after Patrick Kane’s overtime winner.

Talk about perseverance and hard work. The Calgary native – who should get the start on Sunday night against his hometown club – became just the fifth goaltender over the last 30 years to make their debut at the age of 32 or older.

Following the game, former teammates, teams, fans and media members expressed their happiness for Glass, who stopped the eighth most amount of shots in a NHL debut since 1987. Edmonton threw 19 shots in the first period alone at Glass.

Looking at this shot chart below, you can see just how good Glass was against a talented Oilers club.

 

You can’t help but feel great for Glass, who’ll not only will have a big cheering section at the Saddledome on Sunday night, but from hockey fans ranging from North America to Russia in his corner.

What a story. If this doesn’t personify dedication, hard work, and never giving up on your dreams, then were not sure what does.

(h/t @Grady Sas)