Staff Writer
Bears center Andrew Carroll continues to make an impact in his first full season with the chocolate-and-white.
Since starring at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2005 to 2009, the undrafted free agent has donned a half dozen different uniforms between the ECHL and the AHL. He appears to have finally found a home in Hershey.
"I'm excited, especially to start the year off here," said Carroll, who skated for four squads last season. "So far it's going well. I've been in the lineup almost every night and hopefully I can help out the team."
Carroll debuted for the Bears last February, appearing in 25 regular season games. However, he made his biggest impression in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, a six-game series loss to one of his former teams, the Charlotte Checkers. He performed well enough to entice Hershey to ink him to an exclusive contract for 2011-12.
"In a short playoff run last year, he was probably our most effective player," head coach Mark French said. "Coming into this year, with some of the signings we made, I'm sure in his mind he didn't know where he fit in. But, he went to the Washington training camp and worked himself into an exhibition game. Then, he came here and has done everything he could to stay in the lineup. He's a hard guy not to like."
Carroll's first crack at the professional level came late in the 2008-09 season during Charlotte's postseason run. The following year as a rookie, he led the Checkers in goals (30) and topped the league in winning shootout goals. Along with his time in North Carolina, the 26-year old has also suited up for the Hartford Wolf Pack, Abbotsford Heat, Greenville Road Warriors and Peoria Rivermen.
Yet, his proudest moment to date might have happened this September during the NHL preseason when he scored on a third-period wrist shot in Washington's 4-3 overtime loss to Columbus.
"It was an unbelievable experience for me to get the opportunity to go to the camp in Washington," added Carroll, a native of Shoreline, Minn. "It was an eye-opener just for me to see how those guys are and see how they train. It's a dream I still wish I could achieve."
So far this season, Carroll has played in nine of 10 games for Hershey, registering one assist and matching Joel Rechlicz for the team lead in penalty
minutes (39). At 6-0, 200-pounds, Carroll has also shown the willingness to do the dirty work, the little things that don't show up in the box score. Not surprising for the southpaw shooter who is just happy to be playing hockey, much less getting a paycheck.
"To be honest, I don't know what else I'd be doing if I wasn't playing hockey," he told NHL.com two years ago. "I don't need money. It's not an issue - you get your hockey equipment for free."
In his free time, Carroll often serves as an on-ice instructor for Hockey Ministries International, a Christian-based charity that conducts camps, clinics and conferences for children ages 9-17.
The following are a few quick questions answered by No. 13 following Sunday night's 3-2 win against Binghamton:
Nickname? The guys here like to call me "Pistol." I think it started last year with (Sheldon) Souray. ..."Pistol" Pete Carroll, the USC coach now with the Seattle Seahawks. He was like is that your uncle "Pistol" Pete, so now they call me "Pistol." Obviously, it stuck. (Patrick) Wellar's the one now that says it all the time. It's good to have fun with it.
Favorite Hershey product? Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
Last Halloween costume? Two years ago I was a penguin, and I was Spiderman last year. I had a kid's suit of Spiderman and grew out of it so it was extra small. It was like for a 13-year-old kid, just grew too big for Spiderman.
Favorite holiday? Christmas
Favorite NHL team growing up? Obviously the (Minnesota) North Stars, but they left when I was like 6 or 7. Then it was the Dallas Stars. My favorite player was Jamie Langenbrunner, wherever he went. He was with Dallas, then got traded to New Jersey. I enjoy the (Minnesota) Wild, too.
Favorite food? Pasta
Favorite local restaurant? Dafno's Italian Grille
Favorite movie? Dumb and Dumber and Old School
Music of choice? Anything really, but mostly country and rock. Eric Church is pretty cool. I went to his concert a couple years ago. And, Jason Aldean, he's good, too.
Favorite casino game? Blackjack, if I went.
Favorite vacation spot? Being from Minnesota, I like to go up north. My neighbors got a cabin in Northern Minnesota on Lake 14. I just like getting away from the city. We go wakeboarding, wakeskiing, just anything to get away from the city and relax.
Favorite TV show? College Gameday on ESPN Saturday mornings. I like when (Lee Corso) puts on the mascot head. I'm a big college football fan, I played college hockey, so every Saturday morning we'd watch college football together at the rink before our pregame skate, then go to the ice.
Favorite college football team? I don't really have a favorite. I kind of like somebody new every year. I like USC, but now I like Stanford because (quarterback Andrew) Luck's pretty good. Growing up, USC was sweet, and obviously Notre Dame. I just liked big games. I like Saturday night or afternoon, just watching the games, it's pretty cool. The SEC is unbelievable, I like the SEC but don't really have a favorite team.
What's it like playing at Giant Center? It's great to play in a sold out building like this with all the fans. There's not too many minor league hockey teams that sell out. It's pretty special to be a part of it. You look at some NHL teams, and they don't even sell out. It's just great with Coach French and Manner (assistant Troy Mann) and Doug Yingst. I'm just fortunate to be here.
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