10 Tidbits on Jeff Carter – Welcome to the LA Kings

Jeff Carter, LA debut (photo: M. Zampelli)

The trade winds aren’t the only weather related activity surrounding the LA Kings these days, as there was a flood of information on Jeff Carter to dig up and get to the bottom of this weekend. Here are 10 Tidbits on LA’s new forward, using a hodgepodge of notes and quotes…

– He was drafted in the first round of the OHL and NHL drafts. His dad was also taken in the OHL draft – between Mike Gartner and Dino Ciccarelli in 1976 (both are in the Hall of Fame). At just 5-foot-8, Jim Carter played one season for the Oshawa Generals and gave up hockey. By the way, Jeff’s listed at 6-foot-4.

– Carter on why he chose jersey #77: “I wore seven all the way up until I got to Philly. Seven is obviously retired there (Bill Barber). So, I was given 17. I’ve worn 77 a few times here and there. So, I thought I’d switch it up for a bit…I asked for it. Darren (Granger), the equipment guy, said he had to ask a few people. Then, he came back and said it was alright. I told him I’d wear 17 if it as going to be a problem though.”

– Represented Canada twice at the World Junior Championships. In 2004 he had Richards as a teammate (when the U.S. beat Canada for the goal medal) and Colin Fraser was with him in 2005. Carter was named a first team all-star at both tournaments.

– More on the drafts… In 2001, Carter was taken third overall, by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL). Who went fourth? Mike Richards to the Kitchener Rangers.  Skipping ahead to the NHL version in 2003, LA had three first round picks.  They took Dustin Brown (13th), Brian Boyle (26th) and Jeff Tambellini (27th). The later two are no longer with the organization. However, the Kings roster does now feature three first rounders from that draft – Brown, Carter (11th) and Richards (24th).  You know who else was off the board early in 2003, Zach Parise (17th).

– Carter on how thrilled he is to be in a market like LA: “It’s all about what happens on the ice. I’m not worried about what’s happened in the past, I’ve moved on from that. I’m excited to be here and with a sold out barn tonight (Saturday), fans were into it and behind us, it was nice to get two points for them…When Mike was traded here, I told him – ‘You know, you’ve got a heck of a team, you’ve got a chance to win.’ So, I’m excited to be a part of it. We’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of us (though).”

– Had played in an even 500 NHL games prior to being traded to the Kings. According to HockeyFights.com, Carter has had only two fights in his career. First, with Ryan Whitney in 2007 and then a dance with Jesse Winchester in January 2011.

– Reaction to Ian Laperriere, his former teammate, telling MayorsManor that he predicts Carter will score 15-20 goals in LA this season: “That’s a lot of goals. I better get to work (lots of laughter). He’s definitely putting the pressure on. Lappy’s unbelievable guy. I want to come in here and contribute offensively, obviously. I’m going to do whatever I can to put the puck in the net every time I’m on the ice. Hopefully I score a lot.”

– Yes, Carter is signed to a long-term contract (through 2021-22 season). However, with a cap-hit of $5.3 million, he’s good ‘cap value’ as a guy who’s averaged 36 goals over the last four seasons.

– Summing up his ‘short stop’ in Columbus: “Yeah, it was short. I think when we went in there, the team as a whole, we had some high expectations. There was a lot of buzz around the city. For whatever reason, it just didn’t happen for us. You can say that we had lots of injuries and suspensions, and the team didn’t have time to click, but it’s just kind of the way it goes sometimes. When a team performs like that, they’re going to make moves.”

– On how it feels to be traded again: “It was obviously a tough year. I went in, felt pretty good in the preseason, was starting to kind of get acclimated with everything – linemates, new team, whatnot – and I break my foot. I’m out four weeks. I come back, start to get going again a little bit more, and then I’m out with a shoulder injury. It was real up and down, a lot of time to sit back and reflect on things. I think since I’ve been back from my shoulder, I’ve started to play some pretty good hockey. I’m hoping to carry it over here.”

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