Steady Rise: The Career of Sam Carrick
Sam Carrick’s journey from junior hockey in Ontario to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden is a story of persistence, resilience and steady growth. From the OHL to multiple NHL franchises, Carrick has built a career defined by hard work, consistency and adaptability at the highest level of professional hockey.
Credit: Richiekim at English Wikipedia
Sport is more than just a game to an athlete; it's a way of life. To become the best they can be, 100% commitment is required. Sam Carrick’s career is no different, from starting in Ontario to suiting up for the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden; he has had a prosperous career to date. Experiencing different NHL team cultures helps a player gain experience in the league. He has a great story to explore.
Carrick's foundations
Every athlete has to start somewhere, and for Carrick, it was the Markham Waxers. As his game grew in confidence and quality, so too did the attention. In the 2008 Ontario Hockey League draft, he was selected by the Brampton Battalion, a fitting reward for his rise. He instantly became a consistent presence on the roster. Carrick played 61 games in the 2008–09 season, tallying 21 points, 10 goals and 11 assists. That season, he helped Brampton reach the OHL final. The following season, his production increased significantly, as he played 66 games and contributed 42 points (21 goals and 21 assists). Throughout his time in the OHL, he was a scoring force, finishing his career with high numbers. In the 2011–12 season, Carrick recorded 67 points in 60 games, with 37 goals and 30 assists. In addition to his time in the OHL, Carrick also represented Canada at the under-17 and under-18 levels.
A standout season in the OHL opened the door to the next chapter of his career, as he signed his entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The moment carried extra meaning, having been drafted 144th overall by the franchise in 2010.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After signing his deal with Toronto, Carrick was assigned to the Idaho Steelheads of the East Coast Hockey League. He played 50 games for Idaho, contributing 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists). During the 2012–13 season, he also made his debut with the Toronto Marlies. The 2013–14 season saw Carrick compete in the American Hockey League full-time. He took to the AHL ice 62 times, contributing 35 points, 14 goals and 21 assists. The following season, Carrick got his first taste of NHL action, debuting for Toronto in November 2014. His first goal came shortly after, in March 2015. His time with Toronto was primarily spent in the AHL, with brief cameos in the NHL. His spell in Toronto left him with 174 AHL appearances and only 19 NHL appearances.
After leaving Toronto, he spent a season with the Rockford IceHogs before heading to Anaheim.
The Anaheim Ducks
A new path emerged in 2017 when he signed a two-year, two-way deal with Anaheim. With the San Diego Gulls, he became a steadfast presence, quickly establishing himself as a core player. His second season was when he truly made a difference, taking to the ice 67 times, scoring 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists). Most of his playing time was spent in San Diego during the 2018–19 season, yet he made brief cameos for the Anaheim Ducks, competing in the NHL six times that season.
The 2021–22 season was when he became a full-time NHL player. He suited up 64 times for Anaheim, tallying 19 points, 11 goals and eight assists. Carrick would go on to become a regular part of the Ducks' line-up. Over the next two seasons, he made more than 50 appearances before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
He spent only a brief time in Edmonton, making 16 appearances and contributing five points (two goals, three assists).
Carrick was looking for a new home for the 2024–25 season, and that is when Madison Square Garden came calling.
New York Rangers
1 July 2024 marked Carrick's arrival in New York. A significant vote of confidence came in the form of a three-year, $3 million contract. He was rewarded for that trust by featuring in 80 regular-season games in the 2024–25 season. Statistically, it was his best season to date, with 20 points, six goals and 14 assists. Throughout that season, his defence truly stood out, playing with grit and commitment.
Fast forward to this season, Carrick has featured in 27 games, scoring one goal and recording five assists. This season, the Rangers have a record of 13-12-2. The team will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning; the defeat ended a three-game win streak, including an exceptional 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.
New York will be hoping to improve their form as the season progresses. With experience etched into every shift, Carrick continues to be a steady force for the Rangers this season. Once again, he stands ready to leave his mark.
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Forged on Ice: The Rise of Para Ice Hockey
Para ice hockey is one of the events in the Games. It is a sport that is tremendous entertainment that is gearing up to write a new chapter in the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games. Para ice hockey is an entertaining game that has a great history; let’s explore it.
Credit: Mariska Richters
When you think about hockey, the NHL comes to mind. Teams such as the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Florida Panthers—franchises that are synonymous with the game. Yet, with the Winter Olympics rapidly approaching, the international game will look to showcase what it’s all about.
However, it’s not just the Winter Olympics that will be taking place, but also the Paralympics. Para sports are vital as they provide a platform for athletes to showcase their abilities in a sporting context. Para ice hockey is one of the events in the Games. It is a sport that is tremendous entertainment that is gearing up to write a new chapter in the upcoming Winter Paralympic Games. Para ice hockey is an entertaining game that has a great history; let’s explore it.
The Start of Para Ice Hockey
Para ice hockey is a sport of speed and intensity, driven by athletes with a desire to play the game they love. The game was brought to life by a group of individuals in the 1960s at a rehabilitation centre within the Swedish capital. It was born out of a desire not to let their physical disabilities stop them from playing the sport they loved. The game is played on a frozen surface, with players using a metal sledge mounted on two ice hockey blades. The design allows the puck to slide underneath the sledge. The rules are similar to ice hockey. A few modifications accommodate the players’ impairments. By 1969, Stockholm had its own five-team league and held the first international match, facing a team from Oslo. Foundations had been established, but they began to blossom throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Going into the Paralympics
During the 1970s and 1980s, the game swept through Scandinavia, where Sweden and Norway showcased it on stages as grand as the inaugural 1976 Winter Paralympics. In the following years, the game expanded to the global stage, a testament to the determination and skill of the athletes. The likes of Great Britain, Canada, the USA, Japan, and Estonia formed teams, establishing a worldwide presence. 1994 marked the year when para ice hockey became a Winter Paralympic event. It has been a consistent feature ever since. Two years later, the inaugural World Championships took place, and in 2025, the first Women’s World Championships were held. It is an electrifying sport with many memorable and inspiring moments.
The game’s greats
There are too many sensational athletes to name when looking at the greats of the game. Of course, trailblazers such as Britt Mjaasund Oeyen and Rolf Johansson made a massive impact on the sport. U.S. goalie Steve Cash is regarded as one of the sport’s finest—a four-time Paralympic champion who built a stellar reputation for defending the goal with fierce consistency.
Lena Schroeder is a phenomenal player who competed at the PyeongChang Games and is a member of the Norwegian Women’s National Team. Declan Farmer has consistently made an impact on the ice. The American secured the 2018 Paralympic MVP. He also scored the overtime (OT) golden goal in the tournament to clinch the gold medal. More recently, he won the MVP award at the World Championships. For the USA’s Kelsey DiClaudio, greatness has been a constant companion. She lit up the 2014 Women’s International Cup with 23 points. More than a decade later, she stood out at the 2025 Women’s World Championships as MVP and top scorer. DiClaudio has become a defining figure in the sport.
This quote from Brianna Hennessy highlights just how important the Paralympics is: “The Paralympics means so much more because everyone here has a million reasons to give up, and we've all chosen to just go on... It's a bigger picture than the medals, it's a bigger picture than our country's flag. It's all of us coming together on that world stage and representing something greater than ourselves.”
The past is proud, the present is fierce, and the future of para ice hockey looks unstoppable.
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