Amid down season for Mooseheads, star forward focuses on upside

Shawn Carrier wasn't disappointed when he learned last off-season that he had been traded from the contending Moncton Wildcats to the rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads. He actually thought it was an amazing opportunity.

Carrier was the sixth overall pick in the 2023 draft, but got buried on the fourth line in his rookie season playing on a strong team filled with older players. His 11 points in 59 games was more of a reflection in ice time than his talent.

So when he learned he was headed to Halifax as the Mooseheads traded veteran players amid a rebuild, Carrier's mind focused on how he could make the most of the situation.

"It's a good opportunity to show my skills and my game, so it's going to be pretty fun," said the 17-year-old, who turns 18 in less than a week.

Carrier has 40 points on the season and has logged heavy ice time on Halifax's top lines. He plays on the power play and kills penalties, allowing him to show NHL scouts all facets of his game.

Carrier is eligible for this year's NHL draft. He was most recently listed as the 194th-best North American skater on the NHL's prospect rankings.

The Mooseheads are near the bottom of the 18-team league standings and fighting for one of 16 playoff spots.

Mooseheads general manager Cam Russell said the majority of ice time goes to older players on contending teams. He said Carrier benefits from where the Mooseheads are in their development.

"It's a little bit of a bittersweet situation where it's tough to leave the team that's drafted you and the team that is contending, but at the same time, you're going to another team that's really excited to get you that has really good opportunities for you to play and play bigger minutes and be a bigger part of a hockey team," said Russell.

'A unique kid,' says general manager

Besides his skills, Russell said Carrier plays with passion and enthusiasm.

"He's a unique kid because it's hard to find … guys that come to the rink every day that are enthusiastic, that have that bubbly energy and play hard on the ice, too," said Russell.

"A lot of kids these days, they want to be just strictly skill players and don't really understand the work ethic part of it. But … he's a good hybrid."

Carrier has established himself a leader in the locker-room, said goalie Jacob Steinman.

"He brings a hard work ethic [that's] contagious to other guys," said Steinman, who also played with Carrier on the Wildcats last season, before joining the Mooseheads in a mid-season trade this year.

Carrier has done this while also learning a new language. A native of Trois-Rivières, Que., he spoke limited English before joining the Mooseheads because he could speak French in Moncton, but he's now fluent.

Longer term, Carrier is thinking of what the Mooseheads could become.

"Next year and in two years, we're going to be very good, so I'm just excited for that," he said.