As the Michigan hockey team continued to add new players from the CHL, the Wolverines list of NHL Draft prospects continued to grow. When Wolverines coach Brandon Nauarato went searching for a goaltender, he found another player on the list of pro-level prospects.
With the No. 58 pick, Nashville Predators selected goaltender Jack Ivankovic in the second round of the NHL Draft. Ivankovic will be making the jump from CHL to collegiate hockey alongside Malcolm Spence who was drafted to the New York Rangers.
Naurato added Ivankovic to the roster at the end of May to bring a little clarity to the new goaltending room. With former goaltender Cameron Korpi heading to Union College via the portal, incoming freshman Stephen Peck and newly committed Julian Molinaro, Ivankovic will round out the position.
He spent the past two years with Mississauga Steelheads and stayed with the Steelheads as they relocated to Brampton for the 2024-2025 season. Ivankovic posted consistent numbers sitting at a .907 save percentage and 2.93 goals allowed average over his 68 regular season appearances.
Ivankovic’s name earned more of a reputation for the NHL Draft after his performance on Canada’s under-18 team this year. His 28 saves led to a 7-0 shutout against Sweden for Canada to grab the gold medal at U18 Men’s Worlds and notching Best Goaltender award from the tournament. Ivankovic joined Canada’s World Juniors team in the winter earning one start.
As the third goaltender drafted in this year’s draft, Ivankovic will also be a part of a brand new goaltending room at Michigan in the fall. And Ivankovic will have a chance to fight for the number one spot between the pipes for the Wolverines.
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