When the high-scoring forward was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs a few months before he’d even turned 18, he figured he’d won the lottery. He might spend a few seasons in the minors close to home but eventually — and likely quickly, his youthful optimism told him — he’d make the big club, where he’d spend his days living in hockey utopia.

So, a few years later, as he was in the dressing room of the ECHL’s Missouri Mavericks, reality was admittedly tough to take. Especially when he took a break from stretching before practice to look up at the TV hanging in the corner showing the NHL Network and recognized a player on the screen.

“I thought I was just as good as that guy in junior,” Carter Verhaeghe says. “And he’s playing in the NHL and I’m here.”

The 23-year-old from Waterdown is OK talking about his story these days. Partially because he’s in the midst of a tremendous season in the American Hockey League, where he’s second overall in scoring. But also because he recognizes an interesting story and knows his is one. 

After he was drafted by the Leafs, he spent two more productive years with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League. Then he got ready to make his dream come true with the as-close-to-hometown-as-there-is team. He spent the summer getting ready and showed up at camp ready to make his mark only to be called into general manager Lou Lamoriello’s office right off the bat.

“They traded me,” Verhaeghe says.

Yes. To the New York Islanders. More accurately, to their farm team in Bridgeport, Conn., where he suddenly had to get used to a new area, a new organization, a new system and new teammates.

It was a shock which only grew when he hit the ice and for nearly the first time in his life, wasn’t the best player out there. He was 20 and playing against bigger, faster, stronger, more-experienced men. Peach fuzz in a Brent Burns world. Nearly every player who makes the jump says it’s a massive step. Verhaeghe is no different.

By December, he was finding himself a healthy scratch. Meaning, he was watching from the press box. If that wasn’t a splash of cold water to the face, being sent down to the ECHL — the farm system of the farm system — sure was. It’s pro hockey, but guys will tell you it seems like a long, long way from the NHL. 

“That year I thought I was going to be playing in Toronto for the Marlies, at least,” he says. “Now I’m down to the East Coast and saying, ‘What am I doing?'”

If it happened just once, it would be tough. But the same thing happened the next year. You want to test your capacity for a good attitude, live this reality for a bit. Especially when guys you’ve played with, and against, are showing up on the TV as you’re stretching to get ready for practice.

But he did. Verhaeghe says he decided that second season to not worry about where he was and how far from his goal he’d found himself and just play hockey. Have fun, stay positive and let whatever will happen, happen.

In July 2017, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. On their AHL team in Syracuse, he had a good year. Now physically stronger and more mature, he felt good. This year, he started slowly with just a goal and an assist through the first six games. Then caught fire. 

Only eight times in 25 games has he been kept off the scoresheet and never more than twice in a row. He’s already tied his career best in goals (17) with 37 games to play. With 44 points in 39 games, he’s second in league scoring and only four off his career best.

“I try not to think about it,” he says. 

Really? Surely he must check the website to look up the leaders every once in a while?

“Sometimes,” he admits. “I’m not big into it and I try not to.”

He says getting caught up in that screws up his game. So it’s rare. The other thing he doesn’t spend much time worrying about is his future. The Lightning is the best team in hockey right now. Cracking that lineup won’t be easy, even for a guy having a season like he is. 

But there could be some light in his tunnel.

The Lightning will be facing some salary-cap woes next year. That may mean big-ticket players have to be culled from the herd and some lower-cost, entry-level guys like him will get a look. 

Verhaeghe says he’s not paying attention to that. He’s happy with how things are going this year. He’s not dwelling on what will happen down the road. He says he’s just playing hockey and things will take care of themselves.

“That’s all I really can do.”