Years from now there just might be a movie made about LA Kings right wing Jeff Carter. This is Hollywood after all.
Like the tale of his best friend and teammate, Mike Richards, the simple story has been told too many times already – successful career in junior hockey, AHL Championship his first year there, an NHL first round draft pick, given a long-term deal with the Flyers, eventually exiled to Columbus.
Yet, that’s really where the good part starts. In a blockbuster trade last February, the Kings sent defenseman Jack Johnson to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Carter. Bound for LA was a player capable of scoring 40+ goals, a big contract and lingering questions about his character (largely driven from a media pool that always seemed quick to want to bury him).
Despite all that had been written about him, days before the deal happened, we suggested the Kings should trade for Carter over Rick Nash. Having never met him or spent anytime getting to know Carter as a person, it still seemed to be the much smarter ‘hockey deal’ as we explained in that article.
Months later, we’ll now add this tidbit – while we weren’t in Philly or Columbus to cover either of those stages of his career, he’s been nothing but a gentleman since arriving in LA.
From his very first interview, he’s been engaging, interested and forthcoming about the past, present and any ideas about the future. Carter has never declined comment on any question we’ve asked him, nor as he tried to rush things along and end an interview prematurely.
When you spend time talking with players at practices, after games and even away from the rink, you quickly realize who gives a good interview and who doesn’t.
Carter is more than welcome on MayorsManor anytime and that’s why we asked him to join us today.
In one of those rare statistical anomalies, he’s actually been in more more playoff games for the Kings than regular season contests – 20 in the post-season, compared to just 16 at the end of the 2011-12 regular season. Of course, it was capped off with a Stanley Cup Championship and that has Carter in high spirits heading into this coming season – if the NHL and NHLPA can ever come to an agreement.
Here are just a few of the topics we’ll cover with him on today’s show…
– Plans for an extended lockout, any interest in playing over in Europe?
– Hanging out with his Kings teammates this summer (pic one, pic two)
– His ‘Day with the Cup’
– What will be the biggest challenge in defending the Cup?
– Relocating to LA, what has enjoyed about it away from the rink?
– Life with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL
– Winning a cup with Richards
– His musical tastes
– Impressions of Anze Kopitar, as an opponent and as a teammate
– Personal expectations for next season
– Turing the page on his time with the Flyers
– The change to right wing, does he like it?
– In-N-Out vs. Five Guys
– Any plans to join twitter?
– Plus comments about Drew Doughty, Trevor Lewis, Jarret Stoll and coach Darryl Sutter
Enjoy the ride, here we go…
NOTE: If you’re on an ipad or iphone, click here to listen to today’s episode.
For a full list of our recent shows – featuring Alec Martinez, Dustin Penner, top prospect Tyler Toffoli, actor Colin Hanks, Monarchs coach Mark Morris and many more – click here.
Thanks for listening!
About John Hoven
Awesome interview! You got to most of my questions. Thanks Mayor
Great interview, real “Insider” stuff! Keep up the excellent work!
Nice show today!