ECHL: An Interview with Florida Everblades Assistant Captain Bobo Carpenter

The Carpenter household lives and breathes hockey as Bobby Carpenter, who was a third overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 1981 Draft, was the first American Born player to score 50 goals, as he did so in during the 1984-85 season where he’d put up 53 goals and 42 assists for 95 points in 80 games. Carpenter would spend 18 years in the NHL as a player, putting up 320 goals and 408 assists for 728 points while spending time with the Capitals, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils; he would hoist the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995. The oldest member of the Carpenter household would move on to coaching once his player career was over, as he would serve as an assistant with the New Jersey Devils, where he would win another Stanley Cup before spending six seasons as a player consultant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would see time as a head coach in the KHL and DEL2 league before hanging up the skates and whistle.

Alex Carpenter is one of the more well-known names among American women’s hockey players, as she has won two silver medals at the Olympics, played in 12 games, and put up eight goals and four assists for 12 points. She has also won six gold and two silver medals with Team USA at the World Championships. Prior to joining Team USA, she spent four seasons at Boston College, where she had 133 goals and 145 assists for 278 points in 150 games. She holds the record for most goals, assists, and points as an Eagle. She won the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2016. Carpenter has played in the CWHL, NWHL, and PWHPA and is currently playing for PWHL New York, putting up five goals and six assists for 11 points in 9 games this season.

The youngest member of the Carpenter Family is Robert “Bobo” Carpenter, who is currently in his third season with the Everblades and was named an assistant captain earlier this season; it’s a really special honor, a little road bumps the last couple of years with surgeries trying to be back with the guys and fight with them on the ice so that’s a real honor to have and I want to wear it with pride and show them every night I’m here to work hard and do whatever I can for the team” said Carpenter when asked about having an A on the chest. It’s been a bounce-back year for Carpenter so far, as he’s put up a career-high 29 points with 20 goals and nine assists in 43 games. When asked about his success, he mentioned his line as a big factor: “My linemates are setting me up and making great plays. I like to score, I try to get open for them but they really do so much work and that’s why were having success as of late and when that happens everyone is rolling and it’s contagious with the whole team”.

I talked to Bobo about the impact his sister has had this season and what it’s like being so close to someone who has been a big part of bringing women’s hockey to where it is now, “It’s awesome to see; I wanna see the best for her, especially with the Women’s league taking off, it’s awesome to see that, I can lean on them for advice when I need it, and I know they are supporting me and they want the best for me too, it’s something that’s kept together and close, and we’re going to play as long as we can” said Carpenter. The PWHL has been getting a record number of fans this season, and not only is that great for the league, but Bobo talked about the talent level in the league, “It’s really special; it shows that just as great as what we do, they can do it. Some of the goals I’ve seen on social media have just blown me away; I wanna keep seeing that; it’s really special that we all help each other out; it’s a game for everyone and anyone that can lace the skates up, and can learn how to play hockey” said Carpenter and when asked what it would be like to have a Women’s team playing out of Hertz Arena, Bobo said he’d be there with no hesitation, “It would be awesome, I’d be here right away and seeing it, it’s getting bigger and bigger so hopefully that’s just the trend.”

James Slemp will release his interview with Florida Everblades Captain Joe Pendenzza tomorrow.