In recent times there has been no shortage of former OHL and/or U-Sport players opting to join Elite League clubs.
It is becoming apparent that some EIHL teams believe there is a market inefficiency to capitalise on with players from Canadian University hockey.
The Manchester Storm will hope they have unearthed a gem in Cole Carter.
A native of Ontario, Carter was selected in the fourth round of the 2015 OHL draft by Windsor Spitfires.
Having gone unselected the year before, the right winger had much to prove.
Traded twice during his junior career, Carter suited up for Windsor, Kitchener Rangers and Mississauga Steelheads.
A steady if unspectacular offensive producer at the OHL level, Carter would finish at better than a point per game pace in his fourth and final season with Mississauga.
He would Captain the Steelheads in that campaign, having worn an ‘A’ with Kitchener the previous year.
A free agent in the summer of 2019, Carter opted to further his education by committing to Carleton University.
Like many players in his situation, Carter’s progress and ice-time have been cut short through the pandemic.
The Canadian forward has featured in just 49 games in the past three years.
The 24-year-old received his first taste of professional hockey last season after accepting an offer from HC Poruba 2011 of Czechia 2.
Four assists in seventeen games might seem like a poor return, but a deeper delve reveals he fared well.
In six games, Carter’s ice-time was limited to under seven minutes
and four of those were actually under five minutes. Poruba posted a record of 2-3-1 in those games.
When afforded 7+ minutes, Carter and the team prospered, posting an 8-2-1 record.
In all five outings Carter played nine or more minutes, Poruba was victorious, and it’s noticeable how his shot generation was above average.
The more Poruba relied on Carter, the greater success the team enjoyed.
Whether that translates into wins for Manchester in the EIHL and points for Carter is up for debate.
However, the Ontario native is a player to keep a keen eye on for 2022-23.
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