The right kind of grind: Carter McLlwain thrives in pro hockey overseas
Gratitude is a major theme in his reflections on this version of hockey life.
The walk between Carter McLlwain’s childhood home in Exeter, Ont., and the local hockey rink was only a few dozen steps, so short he could be through the door in less than 10 minutes.
Like any kid with that kind of access and an abiding passion for the game would, he scurried back and forth several times a day.
At 6 a.m., he’d be on the ice with mom Kathy, one of the world’s elite power-skating coaches, for early-morning sessions that mirrored the drills she’s since taught to blue-chip NHLers like Bo Horvat and Boone Jenner.
Then, it was over to school and back to the rink, home for dinner, and possibly a final trip to the indoor ice pad at South Huron Recreation Centre for an evening practice.
“We were always on the ice whenever we could get on, bugging the Zamboni drivers,” said Carter, 23, a South Huron Minor Hockey product now playing professionally in Abu Dhabi.
“On snow days, $8 ticket ice, we could go on for hours. I don't think, at that age, we understood how grateful we were to be able to have that in a small town, just to hop on whenever we wanted.”
Kathy’s coaching business grew into a juggernaut that works with some of the biggest names in hockey, giving her son the chance to skate with pros and glean what he could from their habits.
At least once, Horvat took Carter aside to offer face-off tips.
At family gatherings, Carter heard stories from uncle Dave, who played nearly a decade in the NHL before finishing his pro career in Germany.
Then, of course, there was the benefit of Kathy’s expertise in one of the most crucial elements of the modern game. He doesn’t take any of it for granted.
“I don't think I realized till I was older how important that was going to be and how much that was going to help me later on in my career,” Carter said, on break from the Abu Dhabi Storms of the Emirates Hockey League.
“I can't thank my mom enough for doing that, starting me off at such a young age, getting a good foundation down and just working on it all the time.”
In minor hockey, Carter lived a version of the small-town Canadian dream.
He played with the same core group of youngsters for several years, sometimes coached by father Mark and joined by brother Jackson, who played in the Ontario Hockey League and is now one of the Exeter (Jr. C) Hawks’ top scorers.
“Great group of guys growing up,” said Carter. “You’d do everything together—go to school, play baseball, hockey. It was pretty special to have that.”
He graduated to the AAA Huron Perth Lakers and Elgin Middlesex Canucks before a point-a-game stint with the U18 London Jr. Knights.
In 2018-19, he helped the Exeter Hawks on a run to the Schmaltz Cup Jr. C championship semi-finals, followed by three Jr. B seasons with the Listowel Cyclones and Komoka Kings.
His final season with Komoka yielded 31 goals and 22 assists (53 points in 46 regular-season games), along with the team’s captaincy.
Then, the uncertainty of life after junior hockey.
Remembering uncle Dave’s enthusiasm for playing overseas, Carter flew to Germany with no contract and worked out with three teams, eventually signing with the pro squad in Krefeld, a port city about 10 kilometres west of the Rhine River.
“I had a great year,” he said. “It got my foot in the door and kind of showed me what what pro is all about. I really enjoyed it; I'm glad I did it, glad I went there. It's maybe somewhere I could see myself going back to in the future, if the opportunity came about.”
It took a few games to adjust to the German league’s faster pace, plus the size and strength of its veteran pros. The language barrier was a complicating factor at times, and the fans were so loud he could barely carry on a conversation with the guy next to him on the bench.
“I just tried to keep it simple—do what I do best, and try not to change too much,” he said. “Once I got settled in, it was good. I really enjoyed it. It was an unbelievable experience.”
When Krefeld folded after the 2022-23 season, Carter weighed his options. An earnest pitch from Dave Rich, a Canadian ex-pat from Ottawa and head coach of the Abu Dhabi Storms, caught his attention.
“He's been here a couple years, and he told me how much he's he's enjoyed it,” said Carter. “I did some research into Abu Dhabi and Dubai and thought: ‘Why not? I’ll give it a go.’ It’s something new. Travel and play hockey—that’s what I wanted to do—so I signed a contract and came over.”
As one of the team’s handful of import players, Carter understood his assignment: Put up good numbers, help the local players, and grow the game. He answered the call, posting 28 goals and 14 assists in only 16 games last season.
This season, he posted 12 goals and five assists in seven games before the holiday break. There’s a chance he’ll play for the UAE national team this summer at a tournament in Australia.
Beyond that, he’s unsure what comes next.
“I want to keep playing and travelling as long as I can,” he said. “You can only do it once, so you might as well keep it going.”
Back in Exeter, younger brother Jackson is part of a high-scoring Hawks team atop the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s West Yeck Division standings.
Kathy continues her work as a skating coach. Mark works as a financial advisor. The local rink is still only a few dozen steps from Main Street.
The trip from here back to Abu Dhabi is eons longer. A flight from Toronto is at least 15.5 hours, and—depending on your budget—sometimes longer than a day.
Still, this version of hockey life is the right kind of grind.
A major theme in Carter’s reflections on it?
Gratitude.
“I’m grateful to be traveling the world and playing the game I love,” he said.“I've met a lot of great people along the way, a lot of friends I'll have forever.”
“It's not always easy,” he added, offering advice to younger players who might also play overseas.
“It's challenging, there'll be some ups and downs, but stay positive, keep moving forward, and enjoy the ride.”