Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

NHL Draft Prospect Profile #53: Trevor Carrick

Drafted 115th Overall by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Trevor Carrick graduated from the OJHL to play in the OHL for the Mississauga St. Mike’s Majors this year.  As a rookie he needed to prove himself and started the season on the bottom pairing where he struggled.  However Stuart Percy’s injury problems allowed Carrick to get more ice time and he took full advantage, showing great improvement over the course of the season.  Carrick’s strong second half has catapulted him from being off our draft radar early in the year, to 53rd in our rankings.  After a long run of offensive minded defenceman, Carrick joins Patrick Sieloff as a primarily defensive defenceman ranked in the second round for this year’s draft.

Defense
Born Jul 4 1994 — Stouffville, ONT
Height 6.02 — Weight 175 — Shoots Right

2010-11 Stouffville Spirit OJHL 40 6 13 19 44 19 2 11 13 10
2011-12 Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors OHL 68 6 13 19 64 -5 6 1 0 1 7

Carrick is primarily a defensive defenceman.  He shows great intelligence and excellent positioning on the ice.  He is rarely caught out of position, and plays an effective positional game.  He gives his opponents very little space on the ice and pressures the puck carrier well.  He cuts down passing and shooting lanes with smart positioning, and an active stick.  He is also an effective shot blocker.  Carrick is not a huge hitter, however he does well in board battles and in fighting for position.  Carrick has also been known to drop the gloves on occasion to stick up for teammates, but he’s not someone who will go out looking for a fight either, he just doesn’t back down when it comes to him.

Offensively, Carrick is the steady stay at home type.  He makes good, short crisp passes on breakouts, but can struggle with his accuracy on long stretch pass.  He’s not likely to rush the puck up the ice as his primary concern is his own end of the rink.  In the offensive zone, he pinches rarely (and only when absolutely necessary), however he does possess a decent shot, and keeps it low and accurate from the point.

Carrick is a decent skater but he isn’t going to blow you away either.  He has slightly above average top end speed, but his acceleration could use some work.  His agility and pivots are good but not great.  His lateral mobility, balance, and agility are all good enough that when combined with his smart positioning and high hockey IQ, he is rarely beaten off the rush, and is able to effectively play his position.

We believe Carrick has the ability to become a good defensive defenceman at the next level and would compare his potential to become a player similar to Josh Gorges of the Montreal Canadiens.

… and that is the Last Word.

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