We’re starting to think that, just maybe, Carter Hart is a very, very good hockey player.
In conjunction with the Western Hockey League, Hart’s current team, the Everett Silvertips, announced that Hart has been awarded the Del Wilson Trophy, given to league’s best goaltender, as well as the Four Broncos Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player overall in the WHL.
Hart is the first player in Silvertips history to be awarded the MVP award and the first player in the entire history of the WHL to win the award for best goaltender in three consecutive seasons.
From the Silvertips’ official release:
Carter’s work ethic and natural ability have opened the door for these well-deserved honors,” said Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams. “We are extremely proud of the results he has produced, and the dedication he demonstrates every day. He approaches every day like a pro.”
Heading into the Rogers WHL Championship Series, Hart is a seven-time recipient of the WHL Goaltender of the Week award (16 in his career) and four-time recipient of the WHL Goaltender of the Month award this season. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound goaltender has a 12-3-1-1 record, and is second in the postseason with a 2.44 GAA, .922 SV% and two shutouts.
Named First Team All-Star and vying for his second CHL Goaltender of the Year award, he is a three-time recipient of the Silvertips Most Valuable Player award and carries a lifetime record of 116-46-10-2 with a .927 save percentage, 2.01 goals-against-average and 26 career shutouts in 190 games, all with the Silvertips. He is the franchise goaltending leader in wins (116) and is tied for the WHL all-time lead in shutouts (26).
The 6-foot-2, 185 pound goaltender led the league this season in goals against average (1.60), save percentage (.947), shutouts (7), and was fourth in wins (31) while compiling a record of 31-6-1-3 in 41 games. He helped Canada capture the gold medal at this season’s World Junior Championship tournament and is a second round selection (48th overall) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He had a 13-game winning streak this season, surrounding his gold medal accomplishment in Buffalo and was named to three straight WHL Goaltender of the Month honors.
We’ll see Carter Hart at camp next season, and in his exit interview remarks GM Ron Hextall didn’t completely close the door on the idea of Hart making the jump directly to the NHL. It’s a long shot, but he’ll almost certainly make the Phantoms’ roster, which makes the possibility of an emergency call-up a reality. In any event, we’re going to get a real look at how Hart fares against professional hockey competition, either in Allentown or here in Philadelphia. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
