Official: Connor Carrick is a new HC Lugano player

Hockey Club Lugano is pleased to announce the signing of American right-shot defenseman Connor Carrick to a two-year contract valid through the 2026/27 season.

Born on April 13, 1994, in Orland Park, Illinois, Carrick (180 cm. x 87 kg.) developed within the Chicago Fury youth program before joining the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2010 to 2012. During this period, he captured a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championship in the Czech Republic.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Carrick made his NHL debut during the 2013/14 season when he also competed in the U20 World Championship. He distinguished himself in the 2015/16 AHL playoffs as the league’s top scorer with 18 points while playing for the Toronto Marlies and subsequently completed two full NHL seasons (2016–2018) with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Between 2018 and 2021, Carrick split time between the NHL - playing with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils - and the AHL, playing for their respective affiliates. Over the last four seasons, he has brought consistent leadership performances to the AHL, featuring for the Charlotte Checkers, Providence Bruins, Coachella Valley Firebirds, and most recently the Bakersfield Condors, where he tallied 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 63 games during the 2023/24 championship. Carrick’s career totals include 248 NHL appearances (13 goals, 37 assists) and 467 games in the AHL (73 goals, 195 assists),

This is how Janick Steinmann, General Manager of the Hockey Club Lugano, expressed himself:

“Connor Carrick is in the best hockey age. He is a full pro and will help us drive and set a new culture. He has lots of skills in the offensive part of the game and will fit our way of playing very well”.

These were the first words from Connor Carrick:

“I’m really looking forward to joining Lugano with my wife and our four-year-old son. It’s an exciting opportunity to discover a new culture, meet my new teammate, and connect with the fans. I’m a defenseman who likes to contribute offensively, move the puck, and control the play — but I also take pride in playing solid defense, using my physicality, and making things tough for opponents.”