Many kids who grow up in Canada dream about playing professional hockey and one day making it to the NHL.  Trevor Carrick was one of those kids.  Now playing in his first professional hockey season with the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers, Carrick is just getting started on a promising pro career with aspirations to advance to the next level. 

Carrick grew up in Stouffville, Ontario in a hockey family.  His father John, was a goaltender for the Stouffville 70’s, a Junior C team, while his three brothers have all found success in the game.

Jake Carrick (born in 1990) is Trevor’s oldest brother and played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for four years before continuing his career for another four years at Lakehead University. 

Sam Carrick (born in 1992) is two years older than Trevor and currently plays for the Toronto Marlies.  He also saw 10 games in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season. 

Trevor’s youngest brother, Josh, is playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. 

“Growing up we would get into some pretty heated hockey battles playing 2 on 2,” explained Carrick.  “Our basement acted as a hockey rink and we would strap on rollerblades.  We would also go to my Grandmas and skate on the pond in the winter.”

Trevor and his brothers grew up loving the game, and thanks to their family bond, have helped push each other to new limits. “If it wasn’t for my brothers, I wouldn’t be where I am,” said Trevor looking back.  “It’s always a friendly competition in the Carrick household for bragging rights for being the best player in the family.  My Dad definitely thinks he’s the best in the family.  I would say it’s between Sam and I at the moment.  The Marlies beat us both times when we were in Toronto.  But I don’t think he played a huge part in that.” 

Statistics may say otherwise with Sam tallying a goal and an assist in the two games.  But it’s all a part of the good natured competition.  “My brothers Jake and Sam were big role models for me.  I remember them going through the OHL and creating goals for myself so I could follow in their path.”

Trevor Carrick was taken in the 5^th round, 85^th overall in the OHL draft by Mississauga.  He played three years in Mississauga before being traded to the Sudbury Wolves during his final year of Junior.  “It was hard to leave Mississauga.  I had to leave friends and was really close to my billet family.  We never really had the chance to go far in playoffs in Mississauga so I was looking forward to a chance at the Memorial Cup in my final year.”

Unfortunately the Wolves were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Barrie Colts, who featured a rookie named Josh Carrick on their blue line.

Trevor was drafted 115^th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.  “Carolina didn’t interview me or talk to me at the NHL combine, so when they drafted me in the 4^th round, I was surprised.” 

Having a brother that previously experienced the excitement and anticipation of the NHL Draft helped calm Trevor’s nerves prior to draft day.  “I saw my brother go through the process so that helped. To be honest, a couple years before the draft I had no idea that I would even be here.” 

Like any player, Carrick’s first year of pro hockey has come with more responsibility and adjustment both on and off the ice. “From talking to scouts and other players, it’s the biggest transition players must make in their hockey careers,” explained Carrick.  “The biggest difference transitioning from Junior to Pro is that now you are playing with bigger, stronger, and more experienced guys.  You go from junior and being an older guy where it’s hard to make mistakes to pro where mistakes stand out.”

Off the ice, Trevor has adapted well to his new home in Charlotte.  “Brock McGinn and I live together, and it’s our first time living on our own without billets.  It took some time getting used to having to cook meals and take care of ourselves.” 

Veteran players have also stepped up to help the younger guys transition from junior to pro.  “Kyle Hagel is like a father to us.  He takes us grocery shopping, gives us recipes, teaches us how to cook, and shows us how to be a pro.  It helps when veterans show you the way.” 

As for the city of Charlotte, Carrick has no complaints. “Charlotte is unbelievable.  We have great fans and a great hockey atmosphere.  Playing in the States instead of Canada is a little different but my experience has been awesome so far.”

Carrick is developing into a solid two-way defenseman and his potential continues to grow.  “My first two years in the OHL, I was never really an offensive guy.  I continued to work on that aspect of my game, and in my final year we had a young team so I played a lot on the power play.” 

During his final year in the OHL, he ranked second among defenseman in goals with 22 behind only Aaron Ekblad, who was drafted first overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and who some consider the front-runner for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in the NHL.  “To only be behind Aaron Ekblad, it definitely helped my career.  My goal is to be a strong two-way defenseman that can take care of his own end and chip in offensively when I can.” 

Carrick has found his scoring of late, recording 2 goals and 3 assists in his last four games.  He currently leads all Checkers defensemen in goals and points in his rookie season.

Carrick is also a physical defenseman and can drop the gloves when needed.  This includes a scrap with his friend and summer workout partner Kurtis Gabriel of the Iowa Wild.  “It’s kind of weird, we work out together and have the same agent.  I would say that we are friends but that’s his style of game and with the emotion, it kind of just happens.”  Trevor has now fought Gabriel in both the OHL and AHL and hopes to one day square off in the NHL.

While only in his first year playing in the AHL, Carrick has had positive interaction with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), and is learning what being in a unionized environment is all about.  “Justin Shugg serves as our PHPA Player Representative for Charlotte and does a great job keeping the team informed.  The PHPA team visits we had at the beginning of the year were helpful too and really show that they are there to help.”

Additionally, Carrick will be featured in this year’s soon to be released AHL Upper Deck card set featuring 150 of the top AHL players and prospects.  “It’s a huge honour for me. I didn’t know if I was going to make Charlotte at the beginning of the year so to be included with this elite group of guys is pretty special.  My coaches deserve credit for giving me the opportunity to play.”

Carrick has come along way since growing up in Stouffville, dreaming of a pro hockey career, and will soon be knocking on the Carolina Hurricanes’ door to play against friends and family at hockey’s highest level.