November 4th 2007 - Rookie forward Paul Carey is off to a record-breaking debut season scoring at least one point in each of the first seven games. With eight goals and two assists, Carey enters the month of November first on the team in scoring with ten points and sits first in the league in power play goals (5).
Carey opened the season with a consecutive game goal streak of six, which is the longest such streak since the Ice joined the USHL in 2004. The six-game stretch surpasses former Ice standout Garrett Roe’s five-game streak recorded during the 2005-06 campaign. Roe is the Ice’s all-time leading scorer and was recently named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week for his play at St. Cloud State University, making Carey’s new mark all that more impressive.
Carey won’t let his recent success go to his head and he is sure to give credit where credit is due.
“I try not to think about (the streak),” said Carey. “I’ve simply been in the right place at the right time. I wouldn’t be in this position without the rest of the guys on the ice.”
When asked about all of the attention he has been receiving from various members of the media Carey said, “It comes with the territory, we all expect more attention the better we play.”
Coming from Salisbury School in Massachusetts, Carey is somewhat familiar with the spotlight.
“At Salisbury it was mainly parents and other people at school that would always come up to me and tell me ‘good game’ or ask questions” Carey explained. “Here it’s a little different because the level of play is so much more competitive and the team gets more coverage,”
As the interest in his game increases, Carey remains modest, but his Ice teammates won’t shy away from singing his praises.
“Stud!” Ice defenseman Nick Bailen shouts as he walks by while Paul just shakes his head and smiles.
“This guy is extremely good at what he does. The rest of the team kind of feeds off him,” added forward Ron Cramer.
With all the hype surrounding Carey, there is still a consensus around the locker room that the team always comes first.
The Ice has proven that sentiment playing as a team with a great deal of character yet to lose a home game this season, posting a 3-0-0 record in October at the Pepsi Coliseum.
Carey believes there is a greater level of competition in the United States Hockey League then out on the east coast with Salisbury.
“The players in this league are a lot bigger, faster, and stronger,” commented Carey. “We are definitely playing against some of the better athletes at this stage in hockey. There’s no doubt this league is helping me prepare to play at the collegiate level.”
Carey plans to further his education next fall at Boston College and expand his hockey resume while playing for the Eagles.
This past June, Carey was also an NHL draft pick. The Colorado Avalanche made him their selection in the fifth round.
Heading back to his native Boston, Carey will find himself among frenzied fans. If you ever wanted to be a Boston sports fan, now’s the time. Boston College is ranked number two in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Poll on the verge of an undefeated season, the Red Sox are fresh off of their 2007 World Series Championship after sweeping the overmatched Colorado Rockies in four games, the New England Patriots are roaring through the NFL once again, and the Boston Celtics have extremely high expectations after acquiring Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the off-season.
When asked about the Red Sox World Series victory, Carey’s face lit up as he recalled going to the parade that ran through the streets of Boston after their 2004 World Series drudging of the St. Louis Cardinals.
“It’s a great feeling being from Boston right now, every team seems to be playing at their best” said Carey. |
