Forward Quinn Carroll – Solid Addition To Lone Star Brahmas

Quinn Carroll is the second of two players to join the ranks of the Lone Star Brahmas and NAHL from the Kemptville 73s of the CCHL. Carroll was a fourth round (85^th overall) selection of the Brahmas in the 2014 NAHL Entry Draft while Hayden Hanson was tendered by the team on the eve of the draft. Carroll and Hanson had formed a friendship during their two seasons in Kemptville and both were excited to know they would be sharing a locker room again in North Texas.

Carroll had several discussions with the Brahmas staff leading up to the draft so he knew that he was on their draft board. He also made a visit to the NyTex Sports Centre for a face-to-face meeting with Head Coach Dan Wildfong and Assistant Jeff Potter. “I liked their enthusiasm and commitment to winning,” said Carroll. “It was a good fit so I was glad the Brahma’s drafted me.”

The move to North Texas has gone smoothly for Carroll. For one he is very familiar with the area having grown up here prior to his family moving to New Hampshire. He was also lucky enough to be able to billet with his best friend’s family that he has known since his days playing mite hockey. Having Hanson who he has played alongside for two seasons has helped the transition as well.

“there is never any ego. He always puts the team first and makes the unselfish play.”

Quinn has already seen one major difference between hockey in the Metroplex and that of Kemptville. While most would recognize hockey as the national sport of Canada and a distant third or fourth here in football crazy Texas, Carroll played in front of average crowds of just over 150 with the 73s. In his first taste of the NAHL and NyTex he saw over 2300 people fill the shoebox for a preseason game against the Wichita Falls Wildcats. “The crowd was amazing,” he said. “Their energy and support will help pump our team’s energy up and keep us going throughout the year.”

Hanson had a lot of good things to say about Carroll calling him genuine, hard working and one of the nicest guys he had ever played with. “Quinn is not the loudest guy in the locker room but always leads by example,” explained Hanson. “My favorite part about playing with Carroll is there is never any ego. He always puts the team first and makes the unselfish play.” He went on to describe Carroll as a gritty two way forward that creates a lot of turn overs and has the capability to score goals!

During the 2012/13 season Carroll’s offensive output was limited by a couple of nagging injuries that he had to fight through before the Christmas break in the schedule. To ensure that he was on the ice, Kemptville moved him to defense for the rest of the season. With a clean bill of health, Carroll moved back to the forward position for the 2013/14 season and his numbers increased four fold as he put up 45 points in 58 games played.

More from Dallas Sports

• Re-grading the Dallas Cowboys 2017 draft: Looking back
• Dallas Cowboys defense is great but also has room for improvement
• FC Dallas products play major role in USMNT win over Honduras
• Mavs Gaming and WWP Honor Mental Health Month
• Texas Rangers: 3 biggest questions this offseason

Carroll describes himself as someone who works hard in all three zones. “I take care of the defensive zone first. Offensively I make plays and distribute the puck to my teammates.” Carroll credits his former coaches with helping him develop as a player. In Kemptville, Carroll played for coaches who had a lot of experience playing professional hockey. “The quality of coaching that I’ve had in juniors has been good. In Canada Coach Ambroziak (a contemporary of Wildfong in the WPHL/CHL from 1999-2005) and Coach Tugnutt (former NHL great and Dallas Star Ron Tugnutt) both knew the game and the league was very competitive.”

There is one simple goal that Carroll has set for this season and that is “a championship.” He knows it will take a lot of work to get there and he is prepared do his part saying that Brahmas fans will see a forward with a high compete level that plays two way hockey. That attitude and work ethic was on display during the NAHL Showcase Tournament where the Brahmas finished with a 2 – 2 – 0 record. Carroll played in all four games, and while he failed to make an appearance on the score sheet, he showed a willingness to battle in the corners and the ability to move the puck to the open man. It is only a matter of time before the points come.

Career Statistics

Team

GP

G

A

PIM

2012/13

Kemptville 73s

51

3

7

24

2013/14

Kemptville 73s

58

10

35

32