As an emerging prospect, playing your first NHL game is an exciting, yet nerve-wracking moment. For Washington Capitals prospect Connor Carrick, his first NHL game was an incredibly special moment, not only for himself, but for his family in attendance.

“It was an absolute blast,” said Carrick, reflecting back to his NHL debut on October 1, 2013 against the Chicago Blackhawks in their home opener of the 2013-14 season, where the team raised their 2013 Stanley Cup Championship banner.  “Members of my mom’s side of the family have worked in all of the Chicago stadiums – including Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, and the United Centre – for thirty-to-forty years.  When you walk around the concourse, you’ll see my aunt working one of the concession stands.  We know pretty much everyone inside that building. To hear that anthem and to play in that building on that particular night was a special event.”

For 21-year old Connor Carrick, his route to the NHL has been full of unique experiences, and he ultimately has his sights set on cracking the Washington Capitals roster full-time this fall after a strong 2014-15 season with the Hershey Bears; the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate.  The defenseman recorded 42 points in 73 games, and played a prominent role in the team’s success this season.

“We really thought we had a legitimate chance to advance in the (Calder Cup) playoffs, definitely into the third round,” explained Carrick.  “We thought we could give Manchester a good run and had our sights set on making the Final. We we’re pretty upset with the outcome.”

While he expected more from himself, Carrick looks forward to building on his play leading into next season. “Personally, I think I had a pretty good playoffs and a pretty good year overall.  Next year I’m definitely looking for my game to evolve to the next level.  I definitely want to continue to be more of an impact player.”

Carrick had an extended look with the Washington Capitals in 2013-14, playing 34 games, recording a goal and five assists to go along with 23 penalty minutes, and intends on earning a full-time gig at the NHL level this fall. “My goal is to play in the National Hockey League. Washington is a great organization and they develop good players in their system. It’s about trying to earn your spot and keeping it on that team.”

As he prepares for the upcoming season, Carrick adjusted his off-season training schedule under the guidance of his veteran teammates. “I usually start pretty early, late June-early July.  This will be the latest year starting.  Listening to older guys they say that it help the body into the last months, and I trust the experience of those older guys.”

Carrick plans on returning to his hometown in Chicago to hit the reset button before training camp begins in September. “I’ll be working out here in Washington probably until early August, then I’ll head to Chicago.  That way you come to camp excited to be in DC.  It’s not just like any other day. You want to be fresh coming into camp.”

After two seasons with the US National Team Development Program in Ann Arbour, Michigan, Carrick joined the Ontario Hockey League’s Plymouth Whalers following his draft year for the 2012-13 season. Opting not to elect the college route, Carrick played a prominent role with Plymouth, where he had 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) in 68 games en route to a berth in the OHL’s Western Conference Finals.

“The US Development team that I was on, we were pretty loaded on defense. I was the last defenseman drafted to the NHL off the roster.  Seth Jones, first round pick, Jacob Trouba, first round pick, Brady Skjei, first round pick, Pat Sieloff was a second rounder to Calgary, and Matt Grczlyk to Boston in the third round. It was frustrating.  Looking back, I wish I played more when I was a 16 and 17-year old.  I wanted to go somewhere and have an impact right away. Plymouth had lost a couple of defenseman, and I knew with the amount of games that the OHL plays and with the playoff run I knew we were capable of having, that I was going to get the minutes I needed. I believe the OHL was very important for my development.”

Carrick prides himself on his two-way ability and his strength on the offensive side of the puck. He highlights the importance of his skating towards being successful in Washington’s defensive system under Capitals’ Head Coach Barry Trotz and Assistant Coach, Todd Reirden.

“I think the most important thing for me is to hone my offensive tools. I’ve always been the kind of player with pretty good tools on that side of the puck, early in my (NHL) career. The really good offensive defenseman in the NHL are able to do a couple of things that give their team a few extra goals a year. That’s the difference between the guys that make it and establish themselves, and the guys that don’t.  In Washington, as a defenseman, you have to skate well, keep a good posture, and always be able to keep a good defensive stick.”

Carrick emphasizes the importance of the details on the defensive size of the game and its impact on the current NHL landscape. “Every team mentions that. It’s the teams that really understand the details and how to do it that are winning right now. That’s preached pretty heavily by the Washington coaching staff and the players have bought in.  There’s a reason why they had the success that they did this year.”

The game runs deep through the Carrick family, with younger brothers Blake (19) and Hunter (15) also pursuing careers in hockey.  Connor welcomes the opportunity to share advice with his siblings and doesn’t view it as sibling rivalry. “Blake plays up in Ottawa and he’s just coming into his own now, putting on muscle and growing into his body. I definitely expect him to be a good player. Division I (NCAA) is his goal. He has a tremendous work ethic and compete level. My favorite thing to do is watch a game with him and point out certain details that he lacks or reaffirm strengths in his game. I keep my advice to the finer aspects of the game. I have a very close relationship with both of my brothers and they really welcome anything I have to say to them.”

In addition to hockey, Connor enjoys playing a regular round of golf in the off season and has a rejuvenated interest in the sport after putting it aside during his key developmental years through his teens.  “My father was a scratch golfer. I took a couple years off to really focus my training on hockey. I’m really getting back into it now though. It’s my second year taking it really seriously again and I’ve got my golf game to a pretty decent level. I’ve played quite a bit. Our strength coach tells us to do other activities during the week to stay loose.”

While his golf game may be at the level of a scratch golfer like his father, Connor has only scratched the surface of his potential as a pro hockey player. He feels as though his success at the AHL level will translate well to the National Hockey League. “If you’re able to create success in the American League, I believe that will translate to the National Hockey League. My goal is to build on the year that I had and go into next year’s camp and make the big club.”