Nick McCarry is continuing his professional career in the ECHL.
He signed with the Atlanta Gladiators in February before being traded to the Norfolk Admirals last Wednesday.
After a disappointing end to the season for the team, which was unable to clinch a playoff spot, McCarry said he still looks back on his time with the Ravens with joy.
“There’s a lot of friendships that will last a lifetime,” he said.
“We always had an outdoor rink in our backyard and that really helped me love the game,” he said, reflecting on his early start in hockey in his hometown. “It just made sense that hockey was the sport for me.”
McCarry played for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL before coming to Carleton to study psychology, playing for the Ravens in the 2022-23 season. Joining the team in his freshman year, McCarry worked his way up the lineup and eventually became an assistant captain.
He led the Ravens in scoring in his final year, for a total of 40 goals and 71 assists in 108 career games as a Raven.
McCarry said he learned a lot outside the sport, too.
“The biggest thing was to be a better human,” he said. “Our coaches directed us in the right way, teaching us over time to be a better person.”
When he signed on an ECHL Standard Player Contract, McCarry headed straight to Atlanta and went into training with the team.
With an immediate jump, McCarry said he experienced some struggles with the differences in the leagues.
“Everytime you make a jump from league to league, everyone’s bigger, faster, stronger. I’m trying to still get used to the pace.”
“It’s been hard in the body,” he added. “You just try to be as consistent as you can day in and day out.”
After playing a few games with the Gladiators, McCarry said he is slowly adjusting and growing his confidence as a player in the ECHL.
“I’m just gonna try to play my game as well as I can and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Featured image by Anya Swettenham/the Charlatan
