2016 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carter Hart
Leading up to the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, on June 24th and 25th, WHL.ca will highlight WHL players looking to hear their names called on draft day. The second featured WHL player is Everett Silvertips goaltender Carter Hart.
Carter Hart – Everett Silvertips
Goaltender
Hometown: Sherwood Park, AB
D.O.B: August 13th, 1998
Ht: 6’1”
Wt: 170 lbs
Catches: Left
NHL C.S.S. Final Ranking: 2nd amongst North American goaltenders.
Hart recently completed his second season in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips. The native of Sherwood Park, AB recorded 35 victories to go along with a stellar 2.14 goals against average and a .918 save percentage with six shutouts. Furthermore, Hart was named the 2015-16 CHL Goaltender of the Year.
“He’s a very consistent performer and has exceptional focus,” said Silvertips general manager Gerry Davidson when describing Hart’s on ice abilities. “That’s the biggest attribute that he has, being his ability to play a whole 60 minutes from start to finish. The scouts have noticed that as a tremendous attribute.”
Davidson also commented that Hart has a very similar skill set to former Tri-City American and current Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.
“I really think his demeanor and his movement in the net reminds me of Carey Price. His calmness and his focus are similar to Price.”
Davidson mentioned that Hart will need to improve on his puck handling ability to become an elite goaltender.
“On occasions, he gets caught with the puck and doesn’t make the simple play, but this goes for a lot of young goaltenders. I feel that’s the area he needs to work on to help evolve his game further.”
Selected by the Silvertips in the eighth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Hart earned a gold medal with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and also participated with Team Orr at the 2016 CHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, BC.
WHL Statistics
Regular Season | Team | GP | GAA | SAV% | W | MIN | SO |
2015-16 | Everett Silvertips | 63 | 2.14 | .918 | 35 | 3693 | 6 |
2014-15 | Everett Silvertips | 30 | 2.29 | .915 | 18 | 1648 | 4 |
2013-14 | Everett Silvertips | 2 | 3.49 | .893 | 0 | 103 | 0 |
Q & A with Carter Hart
You won a gold medal with Team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament in August. How did that experience help you heading into the 2015-16 WHL season?
Going overseas with Team Canada was really special and it was absolutely incredible. You can’t describe the feeling! It was probably my favourite hockey moment so far and on top of that, winning the gold medal was incredible. We became such a tight knit group in a short time and that is what put us on top. Coming into the 2015-16 season, playing against some of the best top talent was exceptional and it certainly was special.
Can you describe your experience with Team Orr at the Top Prospects Game in Vancouver?
It was awesome going out there and seeing a lot of familiar faces. A lot of us became good buddies at the Ivan Hlinka and it was good to play with and against those guys again. Meeting guys like Bobby Orr and Don Cherry who are such hockey icons, getting to shake their hands was really cool. It was awesome!
Being ranked amongst North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, what do you do to stay focused on the task at hand?
You can’t worry about it. You have no control over it. The only thing you can control is how you go out and how you play. It’s about doing my job, stopping the puck and sticking with that. All I have to do is worry about getting better physically and mentally and it will take care of itself.
Who was your favourite NHL team growing up?
I grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan and I was a fan of Patrick Roy. I’m now a big Carey Price fan since he arrived on the scene.
Which current NHL player do you feel you have a similar skill set and are trying to emulate?
Price is such a calm and efficient goalie that many young goaltenders try to emulate. Another goalie I’m trying to emulate is Braden Holtby because I find that they are so similar. They’re so calm in the net and I admire the way they both play. You can’t quite emulate them entirely because you’re your own player and you have to stick with what works best for you.
Who was your favourite WHL team growing up?
To be honest, I really didn’t have a favourite team growing up but if I had one it would be the Edmonton Oil Kings because I went to a lot of games as a kid.
How have you adapted to playing in the WHL?
Everyone is bigger, stronger and faster. It’s getting to the stage of your career when everybody on the ice can fire those hard wrist shots. Getting to play those games as a 15 year old really helped me into my two seasons here. It allowed me to get the jump start and taste of play early on in the WHL.
What do you need to accomplish in order to have success at the next level?
My puck handling could use some work. It’s an aspect in every goalies game that would elevate their game. Working on getting your eyes up ice and realizing the play at hand can help determine the time and space available on the ice.
What is your favourite activity or hobby away from hockey?
I love playing baseball a lot in the summer and just throwing the ball around with buddies. Mostly outdoor sports like golfing and shooting hoops. I love to be outside and have fun!