Carson Golder: The Need For Speed
When the Rockets traded for Carson Golder from the Edmonton Oil Kings last week plenty of fans asked what position the overage would play. Listed as a defenceman on Elite Prospects, it only added to the confusion.
The twenty-year-old cleared up the confusion last Tuesday, making his debut just over 24 hours after arriving in Kelowna, as a forward on the top line alongside Colton Dach and Marcus Pacheco.
In the release announcing his trade, Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton praised Golder’s speed, “He brings a little more depth to our lineup and adds speed, which I felt we needed to address.”
He showed the fans last Tuesday exactly how fast he can take off, netting his first goal as a Rocket.
“I’m fast, I like to bring my offensive side of the game and score goals,” said Golder after practice this week when asked about what kind of player he is.
It's been a game of firsts for Carson Golder!
First game as a Rocket:✔️
First goal as a Rocket:✔️
First point as a Rocket:✔️@Kelowna_Rockets pic.twitter.com/zV9kvC46OG— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 30, 2022
Elite Prospects isn’t entirely wrong, Golder only made the switch to playing forward last season after the Oil Kings ran into a jam.
“I tried it because we had a short roster last year. Coach brought me into his office and he grabbed my name bar and put it on forward and said, ‘What do you think?’ I was like I’ll do it, whatever the team needs.”
He’s found that playing on the wing allows him to utilize his strongest attribute more than what he did on the blue line.
“I just like how I can use my speed, I’m a really good skater so I like buzzing around the ice and trying to score.”
Scoring is something that the Rockets will be looking to get out of their new winger. At the time of the deal, he led the Oil Kings in points with 15 (8G, 7A) and 18 penalty minutes, through 24 games.
A trade to Kelowna also means that he’s closer to home, allowing his family from Salmon Arm to be able to see him play in person more.
“It was mixed emotions when I found out about the trade. Leaving a great organization like Edmonton after being there for a while is hard, but overall I’m super excited and happy to be here.”
In his final year of junior hockey, Golder brings plenty of experience having been a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings WHL championship team last season.
“Leadership is a big key that I bring. The group was tight in Edmonton last year, so I’m just trying to bring that same thing here.”
Golder and the Rockets will be back in action on Friday, December 9th when they’ll host the Victoria Royals for the annual teddy bear toss game.
Single-game tickets for all Rockets home games are on sale at Select Your Tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.selectyourtickets.com, at the Prospera Place box office, or by phone at 250-762-5050.
