The Redemption Of Jeff Carter: Part One

November 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dwight King (74) and center Jeff Carter (77) play for the puck against Vancouver Canucks right wing Linden Vey (7) during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

“Thirty”

As Jeff Carter is about to turn 30 years old next month, one can assume (though nothing is for sure in hockey or in life) that Carter still has many seasons left in his career and we will have a larger sample to dissect, debate and decide if the word legend would actually apply to him.  It is far too early and unfair to place Jeff Carter’s name alongside the previously mentioned NHL Hall Of Fame legends.  It is even too early for anyone (including Los Angeles Kings fans) to associate the word legend with him period … at least for now.  Only time will tell if this is to be the case but I do find myself fascinated about not only what Carter has achieved, accomplished and gone through in his career thus far but when it comes to these achievements and accomplishments, what impresses is in the manner in which he accomplishes them.  It is a tale I truly believe is worth telling.  A tale that I believe is about redemption.

Jeff Carter was drafted third overall by the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds of the Junior A Ontario Hockey League in 2001.  What impressed the brass of the Greyhounds the most about Carter was the natural goal scoring and break out skating abilities that he possessed for someone of such height (Carter would fully grow to be 6 foot 4).   Charismatic and charming, Carter got along great with his Greyhound teammates but had an average but respectable rookie year with 35 points in 63 games.  Even though obviously skilled, Carter came across as aloof when it came to working out, training and working on set plays.  The coaches focused on him more during his second season and it worked as Carter finished the year with 71 points.  This led to him being noticed by the Philadelphia Flyers and they selected him 11th overall in the 2003 NHL draft (the same draft that had the Los Angeles Kings select future 2 time Stanley Cup winning Captain Dustin Brown 2 selections later).

Carter returned to the Greyhounds for his third season and posted 66 points and made the second OHL All-star team .  He was then selected to the 2004 Team Canada World Junior team and played very well getting 7 points in 6 games.  The team made the finals but lost to the surging Americans in an epic 4-3 final.  Along with a Silver medal, Carter was awarded with a spot on the World Junior All-Star team.  This started opening the hockey world’s eyes to this young player and had the Flyers organization decide to try Carter at a higher level for the their AHL affiliate team, The Philadelphia Phantoms.  Carter’s performance was disappointing and he was sent back to the “Sue” for the 2004-05 season.

Miffed and disappointed, Carter responded with a breakout year netting 74 points in only 55 games.  This made the Phantoms recall Carter and this time he did not disappoint as he helped the Phantoms with 23 points in the playoffs to lead them all the way to the 2005 AHL Calder Cup.  This is when Jeff Carter was introduced to teammate and OHL Memorial Cup winning Captain Mike Richards.  Together (and even they weren’t on the same line”) they would form a formidable championship duo on the ice, but later a “toxic” duo off the ice ,at least according to the opinions of the Philadelphia Flyers higher ups.  This “toxic” reputation that these “Toxic twins” would inherit would later catch up and haunt Carter.