Carter Hart
Carter Hart (born August 13, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently signed to a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] Previously with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2016 to 2024, Hart distinguished himself in junior hockey as a two-time Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year and the first goaltender to win the Western Hockey League's Del Wilson Trophy and Four Broncos Trophy in the same season.[2] Drafted by the Flyers in the second round (118th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Hart made his NHL debut on October 27, 2018, becoming the youngest Flyers goaltender to win his debut and the youngest NHL goaltender to do so since Carey Price.[3] He achieved an eight-game winning streak in the 2018–19 season, the first Flyers goalie to win four straight starts before age 21, and posted strong early statistics including a .917 save percentage in his rookie year.[3] Internationally, Hart represented Canada at the IIHF World Under-20 Championship, earning gold in 2018 and silver in 2019, as well as gold at the 2016 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and silver at the 2021 World Championship.[4] Hart's NHL career was paused in January 2024 when he took an indefinite leave amid charges of sexual assault related to an alleged 2018 incident involving Hockey Canada, charges from which he was found not guilty by a Canadian court on July 24, 2025.[5] Following his acquittal and the Flyers declining to qualify him as a restricted free agent, Hart entered free agency and joined the Golden Knights on a professional tryout that converted to a contract in October 2025, marking his return to professional play after the legal resolution.[1][6]Early life
Upbringing and family background
Carter Hart was born on August 13, 1998, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada.[4] He is the son of John and Shauna Hart, who supported his early hockey pursuits by arranging coaching and attending key milestones, such as his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018.[7] Hart has at least one sister, with whom he spent family holidays during his professional career.[8] The Hart family lived in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta—a suburb about a half-hour northeast of Edmonton—until Carter was 13, at which point they relocated back to Sherwood Park.[9] Growing up in this hockey-centric region, Hart began playing minor hockey with the Sherwood Park Minor Hockey Association and expressed interest in the goaltender position as early as age four, initially aspiring to play forward like his father before shifting focus.[10][7] His father emphasized lessons of perseverance, teaching that success requires earning opportunities rather than expecting them.[10]Junior career
Everett Silvertips achievements
Carter Hart joined the Everett Silvertips after being selected in the eighth round (158th overall) of the 2013 WHL Prospects Draft.[4] Over five seasons from 2013 to 2018, he played 190 regular-season games, recording 116 wins, a 2.01 goals-against average (GAA), .927 save percentage (SV%), and 26 shutouts, establishing franchise records for wins and tying the WHL all-time shutout mark.[4][11] His career SV% remains the highest in Silvertips history.[12]| Season | GP | Wins-Losses-Ties/OTL | GAA | SV% | Shutouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | 2 | 0–1–1 | 3.49 | .893 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | 30 | 18–5–5 | 2.29 | .915 | 4 |
| 2015–16 | 63 | 35–23–4 | 2.14 | .918 | 6 |
| 2016–17 | 54 | 32–11–8 | 1.99 | .927 | 9 |
| 2017–18 | 41 | 31–6–4 | 1.60 | .947 | 7 |
Professional career
Philadelphia Flyers development and performance
Hart was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He completed his junior eligibility with the Everett Silvertips before signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on September 25, 2017, remaining with Everett for the 2017–18 WHL season to further develop.[4] Hart began his professional career in the 2018–19 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. On October 6, 2018, he made his AHL debut, securing a victory against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Over 31 games (30 starts) with the Phantoms, Hart compiled a 16–13–1 record, a 2.83 goals-against average (GAA), and a .917 save percentage, demonstrating solid transitional performance in his first professional campaign.[18][19] On December 18, 2018, Hart earned his NHL call-up and debuted with the Flyers against the Buffalo Sabres, making 28 saves on 30 shots in a 3–2 overtime win. He quickly established himself, achieving an eight-game winning streak from January 14 to February 9, 2019, including four consecutive starts before turning 21—a Flyers franchise first for a goaltender. In 15 NHL appearances that season, Hart posted an 8–3–1 record with a 2.51 GAA and .922 save percentage.[20][3] Hart solidified his role as the Flyers' primary starter in subsequent seasons. In 2019–20, he appeared in 25 games with a 16–6–3 record, 2.42 GAA, and .922 save percentage before the season's suspension due to COVID-19. His performance dipped in 2020–21, recording a .893 save percentage through 19 games amid team struggles and personal inconsistencies. Over six NHL seasons with Philadelphia (2018–24), Hart amassed a 96–93–29 record, 2.94 GAA, and .906 save percentage in 227 games, reflecting early promise tempered by later variability in workload and results.[21][22]| Season | GP | Record | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | 15 | 8–3–1 | 2.51 | .922 |
| 2019–20 | 25 | 16–6–3 | 2.42 | .922 |
| 2020–21 | 27 | 9–11–5 | 3.67 | .897 |
| 2021–22 | 45 | 20–16–7 | 3.16 | .905 |
| 2022–23 | 40 | 21–14–6 | 3.01 | .900 |
| 2023–24 | 25 | 12–9–3 | 2.80 | .906 |
Hiatus, legal resolution, and Vegas Golden Knights signing
On January 23, 2024, Hart requested and was granted an indefinite leave of absence from the Philadelphia Flyers for personal reasons, amid emerging reports of potential criminal charges related to an alleged 2018 sexual assault incident involving members of Canada's world junior hockey team.[25] In February 2024, London, Ontario, police formally charged Hart, along with Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton, with sexual assault stemming from an encounter with a woman in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala on June 19, 2018; all five players pleaded not guilty.[26] [5] The charges prompted the NHL to place Hart on indefinite suspension pending legal proceedings, halting his professional playing status; the Flyers did not issue him a qualifying offer at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, making him an unrestricted free agent on June 30, 2024.[27] The trial, which began in May 2025 after delays including a mistrial, concluded on July 24, 2025, when Ontario court Judge Maria Carroccia ruled all five defendants not guilty, stating the prosecution failed to meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt regarding the woman's lack of consent.[26] [28] Following the acquittal, the NHL conducted an internal review and deemed Hart eligible to sign with teams starting October 15, 2025, with permission to play games beginning December 1, 2025, to allow for a transition period.[27] On October 16, 2025, the Vegas Golden Knights signed Hart to a professional tryout agreement, enabling him to participate in practices and team activities immediately.[29] The tryout converted to a two-year entry-level contract worth $4 million total ($2 million annual average value) on October 25, 2025, positioning Hart as a depth option behind primary goaltenders Adin Hill and Akira Schmid amid injuries to key players like Mark Stone.[30] [31] The signing drew criticism from some advocacy groups and media outlets questioning the NHL's handling of off-ice allegations, though the league affirmed alignment with its eligibility process.[32]International play
2018 World Junior Championships
Carter Hart served as the primary goaltender for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Under-20 Championship, held in Buffalo, New York, from December 26, 2017, to January 5, 2018. Selected for his second consecutive tournament following a bronze medal finish in 2017, Hart started six of Canada's seven games, sharing duties with Michael DiPietro.[33] His performance was instrumental in Canada's undefeated run through the playoffs, where the team outscored opponents 11-2 across the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds.[34] In the tournament opener against Finland on December 26, Hart made 29 saves on 31 shots to secure a 4-2 victory, setting a strong tone for the preliminary round.[35] Canada finished the round-robin with a 4-1-0-0 record, advancing as one of the top teams despite a 3-1 loss to the United States. Hart's overall statistics led the tournament among goaltenders with at least three appearances, recording a 1.81 goals-against average and .930 save percentage across 361 minutes played.[34] He allowed just eight goals total, including a shutout effort in one game, contributing to Canada's first gold medal since 2015.[4] Canada defeated the Czech Republic 7-2 in the quarterfinals, Denmark 6-0 in the semifinals, and Sweden 3-1 in the gold medal game on January 5, where Hart stopped 35 of 36 shots to earn Player of the Game honors.[33] His rebound control and positioning minimized high-danger chances, enabling Canada's defense to maintain structure against skilled opponents.[36] The victory marked Canada's 17th World Junior title, with Hart's .930 save percentage ranking first among starters and underscoring his development as a clutch performer on the international stage.[37]
Playing style and attributes
Technical skills and mental approach
Carter Hart's goaltending technique features confident depth management and quick positional adjustments, allowing him to remain within the blue paint and reduce vulnerability in scrambles.[38] His lateral movements are excellent, with efficient edge work enabling effective coverage against high-danger passes.[38] Superior head tracking enhances his puck location and facilitates post-to-post saves, compensating for defensive lapses through biomechanical balance and side-to-side efficiency.[39] Hart maintains solid rebound control by sustaining puck tracking and sealing pads, minimizing loose pucks and scrambles.[38] He employs cognitive perceptual training, including Vizual Edge programs and Senaptec Strobe glasses since age 13, to sharpen visual skills such as convergence, depth perception, and peripheral awareness, which inform positioning, puck tracking, and rebound management.[40] Areas for refinement include adapting to pro-level shot speeds by increasing aggression without compromising structural soundness, and further developing puck-handling to aid defensive zone breakouts.[38][41] Mentally, Hart exhibits poise and toughness, bolstered by daily 15-minute mindfulness breathing sessions that promote present-moment focus and self-awareness.[42][41] He has collaborated with sports psychologist John Stevenson since age 10 to cultivate composure, confidence, and calmness under pressure, viewing external praise logically without undue influence.[42][43] This preparation emphasizes controlling personal inputs amid the mentally demanding role of goaltending.[44]
Career statistics
NHL regular season and playoffs
Carter Hart compiled a 96–93–29 record with a 2.94 goals-against average (GAA) and .906 save percentage in 227 regular-season games (218 starts) for the Philadelphia Flyers from 2018 to 2024, along with six shutouts.[3]| Season | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | PHI | 31 | 16 | 13 | 1 | 2.83 | .917 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | PHI | 43 | 24 | 13 | 3 | 2.42 | .914 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | PHI | 27 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 3.67 | .877 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | PHI | 45 | 13 | 24 | 7 | 3.16 | .905 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | PHI | 55 | 22 | 23 | 10 | 2.94 | .907 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | PHI | 26 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2.80 | .906 | 1 |
| Total | 227 | 96 | 93 | 29 | 2.94 | .906 | 6 |
| Year | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | PHI | 14 | 9 | 5 | 2.23 | .926 | 2 |
| Total | 14 | 9 | 5 | 2.23 | .926 | 2 |
Junior and international
WHL (Everett Silvertips)
Carter Hart played five seasons with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL), appearing in 190 regular season games from 2013 to 2018.[4] He recorded 116 wins, a 2.01 goals-against average (GAA), .927 save percentage (SV%), and 26 shutouts.[11]| Season | GP | W | L | T/OTL | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.49 | .893 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | 30 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 2.29 | .915 | 4 |
| 2015–16 | 63 | 35 | 23 | 4 | 2.14 | .918 | 6 |
| 2016–17 | 54 | 32 | 11 | 8 | 1.99 | .927 | 9 |
| 2017–18 | 41 | 31 | 6 | 4 | 1.60 | .947 | 7 |
International
Hart represented Canada at the under-18 and under-20 levels, winning gold at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2017 World Junior Championship, and silver at the 2018 World Junior Championship.[4]| Tournament | Year | GP | W | L | T | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan Hlinka Memorial (U18) | 2015 | 2 | – | – | – | 1.50 | .903 | 0 |
| World Juniors (U20) | 2017 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2.38 | .906 | 0 |
| World Juniors (U20) | 2018 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1.81 | .930 | 1 |