Ivankovic has been outstanding for the Michigan Wolverines in 2025-26, sporting a .923 save percentage over 34 games, with three shutouts. He has also helped Michigan reach the Frozen four, and will be starting in a key semi-final matchup against Denver on April 9, 2026. Ivankovic also started three games for the 2026 Canadian World Junior team, putting up a .918 save percentage. He will be a strong candidate for the starting gig for team Canada at the 2027 World Juniors in Alberta.

Committed to the University of Michigan of the NCAA for 2025-26, Ivankovic is making a wise choice for his development, as defense structures are much stronger in the NCAA than they are in the OHL. This should lead to good statistical results for the smaller-statured goalie, who is expected to have a growth spurt by some speculators, considering his father is 6-4 and reportedly had a significant growth spurt around age 19-20. Should that also happen for the younger Ivankovic, he could end up being one of the most important rewards of the 2025 NHL draft (no pun intended), as the larger frame would amplify his mechanics and poise. Naturally, he would also need time to adjust to the larger frame, so whether he stays small or gets taller, he is likely years away from playing in his first NHL game. Even if he stays small, who better to learn from as a small goalie than Saros?

Selected 58th overall, Jack Ivankovic is now a member of the Nashville Predators.

An undersized goalie with a penchant for winning, Ivankovic reads the play well in traffic and can move from post to post with aplomb. There has been a steady stream of 5-11 goalies bucking the trend of the 6-5 giants and thriving, such as Dustin Wolf (6-0), Devon Levi (6-0), and Juuse Saros (5-11), so don’t write off Ivankovic by any stretch. –