The Norfolk Admirals announced today that Carson “Moose” Musser is returning to Norfolk for his third full season. The Grand Rapids, MI native joined the Admirals at the end of his five-year college career between Bowling Green State University (four) and Long Island University (one).
The 27-year-old took strides to become a pro when he was drafted 10th overall by the Fargo Force during the 2015 United States Hockey League Entry Draft. Musser immediately made the team, playing 51 games during the 2015-16 campaign. He notched just one goal and seven assists but was good as a defensive defenseman in his first season, claiming a +7 goal differential. His second and final season in the USHL was an improved one. He played 60 games on the campaign, recording one goal and nine assists with a +10 goal differential. Fargo made it to the Clark Cup Playoffs and saw Musser play three games. He registered a goal for his only point and went even in plus-minus through those three games.
Musser would commit to Bowling Green State University following his two-year junior career at Fargo. his first two seasons at Bowling Green did not go too well as he played 39 games, collecting four assists and went a +1. Things started to look up a bit for him through his junior and senior seasons as he played 65 games, scoring two goals and registering 13 assists with a +4 rating. Musser elected to attend Long Island University for the 2021-22 season, which was his graduate season. He was instantly named assistant captain of the Sharks and put up his highest point total of his college career with 11 points on four goals and seven assists in 31 games.
The Admirals front office saw something in Musser and thought he would be a star defenseman for the team, and they were right. Since joining the Admirals, Musser has 40 points on 12 goals and 28 assists through 107 games. Though he had a rough stretch in the plus-minus department his first two seasons with Norfolk, going -17, Musser stepped up and improved his game last season going +13. His goals (8), assists (18), points (26), and +13 were all career highs for the young defenseman.
Being named as one of the assistant captains last season for the Admirals and assistant captain his first season with a new University, Musser will look to continue in his leadership role. Musser plays big minutes for the Admirals, and that role will continue also.
