EXCEL PAINTING ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CODY CARLSON

*Cougars broadcaster Dan O’Connor spoke with former Cougars defenceman Cody Carlson on Wednesday, May 4th. Here are some excerpts from that conversation.

EXCEL PAINTING ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Cody Carlson 

– Played in Prince George for two seasons: 2010-11 and 2011-12

– Was an Alternate Captain

– Played last season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL and had five goals and 10 assists and 61 penalty minutes.

– Is now 24 years old, living in Victoria, B.C. for the summer while he finalizes his plans for next season.

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DO: Since it is the week of the WHL Bantam Draft and take me back to that day when you got that phone call from the Medicine Hat Tigers welcoming you to the WHL?

CC: I think it was one of the most exciting days of my life. I was watching the computer with my friends and family and to see my name pop up in the first round was incredible. But that’s when the work starts really. There’s nothing to really prepare you for the jump to the WHL. It’s an eye opener but it’s the best experience ever.

DO: Later in 2010 you found yourself traded from Regina to Prince George. From the start the Cody Carlson/Prince  George marriage seemed like a good one. What was it about this fit that made you blossom into the defenceman that you still are today?

CC: I think getting that major role in Prince George as a top four or top two guy. I was a guy who was utilized every single night and they depended on me, and for my game that’s what I needed the most. I really grasped it when I was in Prince George and really took control of my career.

DO: Tell me about the best off-ice memories from your time up north.

CC: It all started with my billet family (Rick and  Tracy Gibb). I couldn’t ask for two better people to take care of me. They were very supportive of both Dan (Gibb) and I. If I came home and didn’t want to talk about hockey, we didn’t talk about hockey. But if I needed to talk to somebody about hockey or life I could. Dan Gibb, my roommate was like a brother to me and that was the biggest thing for me in Prince George was knowing that I could go home and enjoy myself and be comfortable. That was a big thing for me.

**To listen to the complete interview with Cody Carlson, click the audio box below.