After completing all six stops in the NCAA ranks and two of four stops in Europe, the “Midterms” series returns to North America and makes its first stop north of the boarder in the Canadian Hockey League, more specifically Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League where we check in on defenseman Noah Carroll.
For those who have missed any of the first eight entries checking in on Hurricanes prospects below the AHL level, you can find a menu of clickable links here.
Noah Carroll
Noah Carroll was selected in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL Draft. His skill set is that of a skating, puck-moving defenseman with good mobility. After developing as a younger player with the Guelph Storm, he was a trade deadline acquisition for Sault Ste. Marie during the 2016-17 season where he provided veteran depth in the top 4 for the end of the season and the playoffs. His combined totals for 2016-17 were 25 points in 62 games, and we was a noticeable plus 15 in 30 games with Sault Ste. Marie and also plus 3 in 11 playoff games. Carroll is again playing for Sault Ste. Marie for the 2017-18 season.
Interview with Randy Russon from Hockey News North
About the Interviewee
Randy Russon (Twitter=@RandyRusson) is the editor of HockeyNewsNorth.com. You can follow him on Twitter @RandyRusson
Interview on Noah Carroll
Canes and Coffee: What is Noah Carroll’s role for The Soo thus far for the 2017-18 season?
Randy Russon: He plays a key role on a team with several veteran defensemen including the high-scoring likes of Connor Timmins and Mac Hollowell. Rookie Rasmus Sandin also plays big minutes as does Jordan Sambrook, who was picked up from Erie at the trade deadline.
Canes and Coffee: How would you summarize Carroll’s 2017-18 season thus far?
Randy Russon: He does not stand out as much as he might elsewhere because of the presence of Timmins, Hollowell, et al., but he is a solid, solid part of the corps.
Canes and Coffee: Compared to his half season with Sault Ste. Marie in 2016-17, what jumps out about Carroll’s game in 2017-18 as compared to last season in terms of improvement or adjustment after settling in?
Randy Russon: He is bettter all-around player this season and better defensively.
Canes and Coffee: In terms of trying to earn an NHL contract and advance to the next level at the end of the season, how would you assess Carroll as an NHL prospect in terms of readiness to at least move to the AHL level?
Randy Russon: Not sure about AHL yet. More of an ECHL guy. Or he may just go to Canadian university.
Canes and Coffee would like to extend a huge thank you to Randy Russon from Hockey News North for generously sharing his ‘from the rink’ insight on Hurricanes prospect Noah Carroll.
Randy was very verbose so it is hard to say what is keeping him from AHL level. Im surprised to hear he is only ECHL level at this point. i guess I need to tailor my expectations of him so far.
There are 2 elements that play into whether a player receives a professional contract. The first and most important factor is obviously how well a player plays and what his potential to be an NHLer or at least good AHLer is.
But the team’s situation does play into it too. Carroll benefits from the Hurricanes currently being light on true prospects. With Pesce, Slavin, Hanifin and Fleury all at the NHL level, the Hurricanes are light on younger defense prospects. McKeown qualifies. Carrick is already somewhat older but roughly qualifies. Bean will move up to the AHL. And then there are 2 later 2017 draftees in De Jong and Rasanen. Otherwise, the Checkers are comprised of AHL veterans.
So getting to the point, I think if Carroll is even borderline, he has a good chance to get a contract and three years to grow/prove himself simply because the Hurricanes have the space right now.
Matt. Agree with you logic–the Canes need a few d-men with upside in the organization. While I think both Carrick and McKeown have looked, in admittedly limited exposure, like they could be on an NHL roster if necessary, the organization needs one or two more such players. Carroll is as close to filling that role as anyone right now. Martin will be in the NHL in 3 years, but until then the organization is short of D prospects.