Anson Horace “Ace” Carter (born June 6, 1974) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for eight teams from 1996 to 2007, most notably with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. He was last active as a player with HC Lugano in the Swiss Nationalliga A. After retiring from professional hockey, he joined NBC Sports as an analyst and is now currently an analyst for NHL on TNT and MSG Network.

Anson Carter
Carter with the Vancouver Canucks in 2005
Born (1974-06-06) June 6, 1974 (age 50)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Washington Capitals
Boston Bruins
Edmonton Oilers
New York Rangers
Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver Canucks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Carolina Hurricanes
HC Lugano
National team  Canada
NHL draft 220th overall, 1992
Quebec Nordiques
Playing career 1996–2008

Carter is also the founder of Big Up Entertainment, a record label specializing in hip hop music. He attended high school at Agincourt Collegiate Institute[1] and attended Michigan State University where he played at the college level. He is of Bajan descent.[2]

Early life

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Anson Carter was born on June 6, 1974, in Toronto, Ontario.[3] He is one of three children of Horace and Valma Carter, who emigrated from Barbados.[4] He started playing hockey seriously at the age of eight. Carter received a scholarship to play hockey at Michigan State University (MSU) in 1992.[5]

Playing career

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Carter was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft in the 10th round, 220th overall, after playing AAA level hockey in the Metro Toronto Hockey League.

After completing his AAA hockey career, Carter played one season in the Metro Junior 'A' Hockey League for the Wexford Raiders, scoring 18 goals and adding 22 assists for 40 points in 42 games,[6] helping the Raiders to a league title as a result of sweeping the Bramalea Blues 4–0 in the championship final. (Incidentally, the Raiders' head coach was Stan Butler, current special advisor to the owner of the Ontario Hockey League's North Bay Battalion).[7]

Carter went on to play four years at Michigan State University, earning himself honours on the CCHA First All-Star Team in 1994 and 1995, Second All-Star Team in 1996, as well as the NCAA West Second All-American Team in 1995.[8]

On April 3, 1996, the Nordiques' successor, the Colorado Avalanche, traded his rights to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

Carter made his professional debut in 1996–97, splitting his time with the Capitals and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates, before being traded to the Boston Bruins on March 1, 1997. As part of a blockbuster deal, Carter was sent with Jason Allison, Jim Carey, a third-round selection in the 1997 draft (63rd overall–Lee Goren) and a conditional second-round pick in the 1998 draft to the Bruins in exchange for Adam Oates, Bill Ranford and Rick Tocchet.[9][10] Both Carter and Tocchet would work together as studio analysts with the NHL on TNT nearly a quarter of a century later beginning in 2021.[11]

After spending several seasons with the Bruins, Carter was traded (along with a conditional pick in the 2003 draft, a first- and a second-round pick in the 2001 draft) to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Bill Guerin and a first-round pick in the 2001 draft. In his second season with Edmonton, Carter would record career-highs in assists (32) and points (60). However, on March 11, 2003, he was again traded, to the New York Rangers (along with Aleš Píša) in exchange for Radek Dvořák and Cory Cross.

At the completion of the 2002–03 season, Carter played for Canada in the 2003 World Championships. Over 14 minutes into the first overtime of the gold medal game against Sweden, Carter beat Swedish goaltender Mikael Tellqvist with a wraparound goal. The goal was contested for several minutes before replays confirmed Tellqvist had stopped the puck behind the goal line. It was Canada's first World Championship win in five years.[12]

Lasting half a season with the Rangers, Carter was traded back to the Washington Capitals on January 23, 2004, in exchange for Jaromír Jágr. His second go with the Capitals was even more short-lived than his stint with New York, as he was flipped to the Los Angeles Kings for Jared Aulin just over a month later on March 8, 2004.

On August 16, 2005, Carter signed a one-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks as an unrestricted free agent.[13] He played in Vancouver on the second offensive line with twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin, where the trio were known colloquially as the "Brothers Line".[14] He set a new career-high in goals with 33, leading the team, and earned the Canucks' Most Exciting Player Award. However, he did not re-sign with the Canucks at the end of the season.

On September 13, 2006, Carter signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets,[15] but was traded once again to the Carolina Hurricanes on February 23, 2007, in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2008 NHL draft (Tomas Kubalik).[16]

In September 2007, Carter rejoined the Edmonton Oilers on a try-out basis during their training camp, and played one exhibition game before being released on October 2, 2007.[17] Without an NHL job, on November 5, Carter joined HC Lugano of the Swiss Nationalliga A.

Post-playing career

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After playing in the NHL for 11 seasons, Carter began his post-hockey career in 2013 with the NBC Sports coverage of NHL regular season, and Stanley Cup Playoffs games. Besides covering the professional ranks, Carter provides game analysis for NBCSN's Notre Dame's Fighting Irish college hockey. Additionally, Carter also made his debut as part of the 2018 Olympic coverage of the PyeongChang Winter games. [5][18]

On Canadian television, starting in 2022, Carter was a panelist on Sportsnet's Rogers Monday Night Hockey NHL broadcasts.[19] He continues to be on Sportsnet NHL coverage in 2024.

Carter founded the Big Up Entertainment record label in March 2005. The label's first release was from Richmond, Virginia, natives Main & Merc.[20]

Carter now lives in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2022, Carter become the minority owner of the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.[21] He is currently seeking to bring an NHL expansion team to Atlanta, with his new group Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment, which would be the city’s third team since the departure of the Atlanta Flames in 1980 and the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011.[22]

 
Anson Carter on the bottom left of a faceoff with the Vancouver Canucks

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1991–92 Wexford Raiders MetJHL 42 18 22 40 24
1992–93 Michigan State University CCHA 36 19 11 30 20
1993–94 Michigan State University CCHA 39 30 24 54 36
1994–95 Michigan State University CCHA 39 34 17 51 40
1995–96 Michigan State University CCHA 42 23 20 43 36
1996–97 Washington Capitals NHL 19 3 2 5 7
1996–97 Portland Pirates AHL 27 19 19 38 11
1996–97 Boston Bruins NHL 19 8 5 13 2
1997–98 Boston Bruins NHL 78 16 27 43 31 6 1 1 2 0
1998–99 Boston Bruins NHL 55 24 16 40 22 12 4 3 7 0
1999–00 Boston Bruins NHL 59 22 25 47 14
2000–01 Edmonton Oilers NHL 61 16 26 42 23 6 3 1 4 4
2001–02 Edmonton Oilers NHL 82 28 32 60 25
2002–03 Edmonton Oilers NHL 68 25 30 55 20
2002–03 New York Rangers NHL 11 1 4 5 6
2003–04 New York Rangers NHL 43 10 7 17 14
2003–04 Washington Capitals NHL 19 5 5 10 6
2003–04 Los Angeles Kings NHL 15 0 1 1 0
2005–06 Vancouver Canucks NHL 81 33 22 55 41
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 54 10 17 27 16
2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 10 1 0 1 2
2007–08 HC Lugano NLA 15 3 5 8 22
NHL totals 674 202 219 421 229 24 8 5 13 4

International

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Medal record
Representing   Canada
World Championships
  1997 Finland
  2003 Finland
World Junior Championships
  1994 Czech Republic
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1994 Canada WJC 7 3 2 5 0
1997 Canada WC 11 4 2 6 4
2003 Canada WC 9 2 1 3 8
Junior totals 7 3 2 5 0
Senior totals 20 6 3 9 12

Awards and honours

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Award Year
All-CCHA First Team 1993–94
1994–95
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 1994–95
All-CCHA Second Team 1995–96
Vancouver Canucks Most Exciting Player Award 2005–06

Transactions

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See also

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References

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  • Harris, Cecil (2005). Breaking the Ice: The Black Experience in Professional Hockey. Insomniac Press. ISBN 9781894663809.

Notes

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  1. ^ Brown, Heath (November 27, 2001). "Carter skating toward career season". The Globe and Mail. Toronto: Bell Globemedia. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Lapointe, Joe (1999-05-11). "N.H.L. PLAYOFFS; Boston's Gallery Gods Must Be Smiling". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  3. ^ NHL Staff (2024). "Anson Carter". NHL.com. New York: National Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Kennedy, Kostya. "Looking Good The eye-catching thing about Anson Carter, a Bruins right wing, is that he's a very good hockey player--for a man of any color". Sports Illustrated Vault.
  5. ^ a b NBC Sports Staff (2014). "Anson Carter Bio". NBC Sports Group. Archived from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  6. ^ "Anson Carter Stats and Profile". hockeydb.com.
  7. ^ "Club Directory – North Bay Battalion".
  8. ^ NHL Staff (2007). "Anson Carter". NHL.com. New York: National Hockey League. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Bruins deal disgrunted Oates and two others in blockbuster deal," The Associated Press (AP), Saturday, March 1, 1997. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  10. ^ 1997 NHL Entry Draft Pick Transactions, June 21 – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  11. ^ Clarke, Mary (September 30, 2021). "TNT's NHL broadcast is already more fun than NBC's ever was, growing pains and all". For The Win: USA Today Sports. Tysons, Virginia: Gannet. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Bulman, Erica (May 11, 2003). "Canada beats Sweden to win world title". USA Today. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 23, 2004. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "Canucks sign Carter to one-year contract". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  14. ^ "Sedins debate pucks, bad habits, Mrs. Tiger Woods". ESPN. 28 November 2006. Retrieved 2008-09-25.
  15. ^ Allen, Kevin (2006-09-13). "Blue Jackets, with eye on Zherdev, sign veteran Carter". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  16. ^ "Hurricanes acquire winger Carter from Blue Jackets". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  17. ^ "Edmonton Oilers Transactions". CNN. Archived from the original on July 15, 2003. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  18. ^ NBC Sports Staff (2019). "Anson Carter Bio No. 2". NBC Sports Group. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  19. ^ Sportsnet Staff (October 17, 2022). "New SN NOW Stats Central stream to debut alongside Rogers Monday Night Hockey". Sportsnet. Toronto: Rogers Communications. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  20. ^ McIntyre, Doug (October 6, 2005). "Life off the Ice". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES TRANSFER OF CONTROLLING INTEREST IN ATLANTA" (Press release). ECHL. October 19, 2022.
  22. ^ Gentille, Sean (March 12, 2024). "Former player Anson Carter, investors formally request NHL expansion to Atlanta". The Athletic. NY Times. Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
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