Originally Posted by Sandman
Draft Thoughts:
You can't go wrong with any one of the CHL's big 3 on defense; I'm talking about Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph, and "A"-rated LD Carson Carels (6'1.5",202lbs) of the WHL's sixth-placed Prince George Cougars. Of the 3 young rearguards, Carels seemed to be the one most committed to playing a spotless defensive game before the start of the current season, and he exhibited his shutdown abilities in the U-18's (1 point in 7 games, and 4th in the tourney with a +11), and the summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup (1 point in 4 games, and a +4). While his 35 points in 60 games during the 2024-25 season was impressive, he has taken a step forward this year, posting 9 goals and 31 points in 30 games- good enough to tie for 9th in scoring by D. There's no doubt that Team Canada had a long list of suitable D that would have jumped at the chance to play in the WJC, but Carels was chosen to be one the 8 blueliners to go. Though he wasn't given much ice-time or responsibility, the fact that he got the call over many older players should be a feather in his cap, and he at least proved that he belonged; he only managed to pick up 1 assist in 5 games, though. Carels is younger than most of his peers in this draft-class, with a June 23rd, 2008 birthday.
Carels is highly mobile, with power and fluidity in his stride, as well as smoothness and agility in his edgework; he is quick in every direction, and can change pace and direction in a flash. He flashes these qualities when mirroring his opponents' footwork against the rush, applying tight gaps and sharp angling to guide attackers to the wall, where he layers hits on top of slick stickwork to dislodge pucks. He is near spotless defensively, keeping attacks to the outside and away from the middle, while defending his net aggressively and applying ample doses of physicality to separate man from puck; his defensive IQ and awareness are high-end. He seems to always be in proper position to clog a lane, knock down a pass, throw out a stick-check, or block a shot. Carels is a farmboy from Manitoba, which means he is exceptionally strong, and cannot be out-worked. He is as competitive as they come, and is highly aggressive in all areas of the ice. He's a special player though, and while he isn't overly flashy or dynamic, he has the high-end hockey sense, well-developed puck-skill, and sublime vision to have a huge impact on his team's transition, and their offensive attack. He carries, and moves the puck with poise and confidence, from seamless retrievals, to mistake-free outlets, to precise passes for controlled exits and entries. I wouldn't say he's as active in the offensive zone as Rudolph or Reid, but he will join the rush if the coast is clear, and he will activate into the play off the line for advantage-creation purposes. He is a clever playmaker with some creativity, and walks the line with shiftiness to open lanes to the net, with an NHL-caliber release, along with a bomb of a one-timer. Carels often fires to make plays as well, with well-placed shots that maximize chances for his teammates. He may not be as offensively inclined as Reid or Rudolph, but he can play in any situation, performs well on both special teams, and can log important minutes. Some label him as a "top-4" defenseman at the next level, but I can easily see him anchoring a top-pairing in the future.
|