This past year has been nothing short of epic for 16-year-old Carson Carels, son of Ryan and Stacy Carels of Cypress River. The young defenseman has not only solidified his place as a regular on the Prince George Cougars’ lineup but also earned the title of MVP for Team Manitoba. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Carson was invited to the Canadian Junior National Hockey camp tryouts and brought home a silver medal during the Canada World U17 camp in Sarnia, Ontario this past November.
During a recent interview Carson shared his excitement, and how it feels to realize some of his dreams come to fruition at such a young age. “This league (WHL) is the one I watched as a child and dreamt of, sometimes I feel I should pinch myself,” he admits with a grin, reflecting on the surreal experience of playing at such a competitive level.
Drafted by the Cougars at just 15, Carson was selected in the first round as the 15th pick. Recently, he was recognized as “One of WHL’s Stars of Tomorrow” by the Canadian League. Bob Simmonds, the Cougars’ Director of Scouting, speaks highly of Carson’s skills. “Carson is an elite-level defenceman who already plays the game like a seasoned veteran,” he said.
It’s easy to understand how Carson has become such a powerhouse on the ice. He started skating at the age of four. “I had trouble getting him to take off his skates,” his mom, Stacy, recalls with a laugh. By the time he was eight, Carson was already being called up to join higher level teams.
While constant practice, skating drills, and hockey development camps have undoubtedly honed his skills, Carson’s love for hockey is deeply rooted in his family. Hockey has always been a way of life for the Carels family, and that shared passion continues to fuel Carson’s drive to excel.
Prior to entering ninth grade, it was clear that Carson was exceptionally gifted, leading to the decision to enroll him in the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy-one of the elite hockey academic programs in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). Carson’s first coach at the academy was his uncle, Danny Carels, whose mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping his early development.
Hockey talent clearly runs in the family. Carson’s father, Ryan, also has a strong hockey pedigree. In his Grade 12 year, Ryan played high school hockey for the Wildcats and earned the league’s MVP title. His love for the sport didn’t stop there; he embraced coaching, guiding all five of his children as well as summer teams in Winnipeg. Recently, he joined the coaching staff at the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy, continuing his dedication to the game.
“Ryan has coached all our kids – all five of them,” shared Stacy with a smile. “He’s also coached some spring teams out of Winnipeg and recently started coaching with the PMHA.”
Not even COVID could keep the Carels family away from hockey. When the world shut down, they simply brought the game home, building an outdoor rink on their farm. But the rink wasn’t just a way to pass the time – it became a space to refine their skills and enjoy sibling scrimmages.
“One scrimmage that sticks out in my mind was me and my brother against my three sisters,” Carson shared with a laugh. “We played hard, but we also laughed so much. Us boys came out on top, but I have to admit, it was a close match – we really had to fight for it!”
Last year was a turning point for Carson; he decided to move to the dorm at Pilot Mound. “That was something my dad and I discussed. I thought I should be prepared and accustomed to being away from home if I wanted to go further,” he said thoughtfully.
His 2023/24 season with Pilot Mound was impressive, tallying up 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 27 games and earned him several titles; CSSHL U17 Tier II First All-Star Team’s Most Valuable Player, Top Defenceman and Most Points by a Defenceman.
He secured a gold medal at the WHL Cup with Team Manitoba and was named tournament MVP. His PMHA Coach Rick McConnell commented; “I only coached him for one year but Carson is not only an outstanding skater with a heavy shot, he can pass the puck with the best of them and his hockey IQ is exceptional.”
As mentioned above, he was also drafted by the Cougars in September and on December 13, 2023, Carson made his debut in the WHL and recorded a two-assist, +4 outing in a 9-2 win over the Vancouver Giants. The 15 year old appeared in 7 games during the playoffs.
And if that wasn’t enough, Carson’s remarkable year reached new heights last June when he received an invitation to the National Junior Hockey tryouts in Oakville, Ontario for the U17 World Challenge. “It was a process,” Carson recalled. “I got the invitation in June, attended the one-week camp in July, and then sat on pins and needles until early October when I found out I made the team.”
While this year has been packed with unforgettable moments, one that will forever stand out for Carson is the pride of wearing Canada’s maple leaf on his chest for the first time. “I can’t describe the feeling of wearing that jersey for the first time, but I know I’ll never forget how I felt,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Another unforgettable moment for Carson was the nervous excitement he felt on his first trip to Prince George, where he met his team (men he has looked up to his entire life) and billet family for the first time. “The guys on the team like to remind me every now and then that I’m the rookie,” he chuckled, “but they were welcoming and took me under their wing. I look up to them like big brothers.”
Carson also spoke fondly of his billet family. “They’re awesome – I really feel at home with them and like part of the family,” he said. “The Prince George community has been incredible too; their support for this team is immeasurable.”
Despite all the accolades Carson has received he remains humble and when asked who has made the biggest impact on his career his answer was heartfelt and assured, “I would not be here if not for my parents support.”
His mentors are his dad and Cougars Assistant Coach, Jimmie Playfair, “They have both given me so much hockey knowledge and Jimmie has really helped me grow my game.”
A typical day in the life of a tenth grade WHL player consists of 2 hours of school in the morning, followed by the team getting together and going over video clips of past games, a few hours of on ice practise followed by intense workouts at the gym. “The day’s structure here is the same as it was in Pilot Mound so I didn’t have any adjustments to make and the familiarity of it really helped me settle in faster too.”
As much as Carson’s focus is on hockey, he hasn’t sacrificed academics. In fact, he’s set to graduate a year early. “That’s been a goal of mine for a long time,” he confided.
And what about his future aspirations? “Right now, my goal is to win the league with the Cougars,” Carson shared. “My long-time dream is to play at the NHL level.”
After following his young career and witnessing his skill, intelligence and determination, it’s hard to see his NHL dream as anything but inevitable. For this talented D-Man who grew up on a 500-head cattle ranch in Cypress River, it’s not just a dream – it’s a goal he’s well on his way to achieving.
