Minnesota Wild: Carter Will Be Remembered as A Fighter

Yesterday the expected news was announced by the Minnesota Wild that Ryan Carter was released from his PTO with the club. The unexpected news was that he was battling a possible career ending shoulder injury during camp.

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It was really hard to read the news yesterday announcing that Ryan Carter had been released from his PTO with the Minnesota Wild. At the beginning of camp, it was thought that the 10 season NHL veteran and two season Wild veteran had an above average chance to make this team. Why not, he was a competing for at least three open roster spots against players who had either played very little or no minutes at the NHL level.

Still it just seemed like he never quite could get his game going to take his advantage and turn it into results. Many speculations were made as to why his play wasn’t so stellar, but most of it seemed to revolve around his hockey abilities. After yesterday’s news we all know it wasn’t hockey ability wasn’t the issue.

Mar 15, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Minnesota Wild left wing Ryan Carter (18) ceelebrates his goal scored against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Russo reported that Carter has entered camp with a severe shoulder injury that affected his play severely. Carter told Russo after he was released from his PTO that he would undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum, and that surgery could end his career.

Carter says the injury was so severe that “I started to lose my strength and my ability to win battles. What ended up happening, I popped out a rib because I kept trying to protect my shoulder all the time. I couldn’t breathe anymore.” Still he soldiered on a played in games and practices this preseason. To know that he wanted to make the team so badly that he subjected himself to that kind of physical stress is huge.

This offseason we see players who have so much god given talent and have the gift of perfect health, yet have yet to sign contracts with their respective teams. That’s a sharp contrast to Ryan Carter who may not have been handed the best hockey skills ever, but he has used the ones he was given to the best of his ability. He wasn’t handed a contract he was asked to go out and play for it, and he did it knowing he wasn’t at his best physically.

Feb 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) celebrates his win after the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during a Stadium Series hockey game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

When asked about playing despite his injury, Carter explained to Russo that “The last couple practices, I couldn’t even move. I was terrible, but I didn’t say something because I knew it would be over.” That’s guts and dedication at its best. To know that he wanted to play for this team so badly that he’d play through this kind of pain says a lot for what kind of a player Carter is.

That’s why this is hard to see. If a completely healthy Carter had been able to go into camp, could he have played well enough make the team? We may never know, but what we do know is that he would have given more than enough effort to do make the Wild. He’s a fighter. Like he told Russo “At the same time, if it’s not the end, coming back would kind of be what my career was about, kind of fighting and clawing and finding a way to stay in the league. It’s not been glamourous by any stretch of the imagination.”

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And that might be the best way to close the book on Carter’s time with the Wild and maybe his career. It might not have been glamorous, but it lasted for 10 seasons and showed excellent perseverance and commitment to the game. He’s a Minnesotan player through and through and I’m proud to say that he embodies the hometown values of keeping your head down and doing your job the best you can.

My favorite Carter moment came during the Stadium Series outdoor game at TCF Bank Stadium back in February. Back then I wrote:

"White Bear Lake native (Go Bears!) and Minnesota State alum Ryan Carter was overcome with the great feeling that comes from posting a goal and an assist in front of his hometown that he summed up the feeling of the game best. When asked in the post-game interview he said listening to the band play he felt like he watched his whole career flash in front of him. He just summed it up the best it was all about celebrating the game at all levels and remembering all the feeling we have about hockey."

That really is the way I’ll remember Carter, as that happy guy who had a great game in front of his hometown crowd. I really think that’s all he wanted to do play hockey and inspire the people around him.

Next: Roster and Lines Look Clearer After Win

Carter knows this season will be hard when he told Russo “I won’t be in a locker room for the first time, so it’s a little challenging. I think I’ll miss that.” After reading that I don’t think there’s much else to say other than we will miss you too Ryan.

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