Recruiting: Carter McPhail commits to Ferris State
By @MichaelCaples –
Carter McPhail’s hockey journey is bringing him back to his home state.
The Fenton native has committed to Ferris State.
McPhail, 20, is thriving with the Johnstown Tomahawks of the NAHL this season; he has led the Tomahawks to the league’s best record of 41-6-2. The new Bulldogs commit has recorded 24 of those wins, which puts him in a tie as the team’s all-time wins leader with plenty of games left to play.
“Ferris State brought me in for a visit and I really liked the history and tradition there,” McPhail told MiHockey. “Being from Fenton and playing in to the Soo my first year [of juniors] and now in J-Town, I really enjoy the small-town feel. The student section I know is one of the best in college hockey – I thrive off the energy of the crowds and I’m really exited to play in front of the Dawg Pound.”
A Little Caesars alum, McPhail has a 2.11 goals-against average and .931 save percentage on the season.
He was the runner-up for the NAHL goaltender of the month award in both Novermber and January.
“Its another great day for the Tomahawks with Carter making his NCAA Division I commitment to Ferris State,” head coach Mike Letizia said in a release. “He has come in this year and really established himself. He has contributed greatly on the ice as one of the league’s top goaltenders and as a leader off the ice with his positive attitude. I am extremely proud of him for earning and deserving this fantastic opportunity at the next level. His competitiveness, desire to win, and great personality should be an awesome fit for the Bulldogs. Coach Nick and myself are very happy for Carter and his family.”
McPhail played for the Soo Eagles of the NOJHL last year after backstopping Caesars to an 18U state title in 2016-17. Prior to that one year of AAA hockey with Little Caesars, McPhail spent his youth hockey days with the Kensington Valley Hockey Association.
“I know I have a very ‘unique’ story/path, playing AA my whole life at Kensington Valley,” McPhail said. “Going into my senior year of high school I was pretty much staring the end of my career in the face. Luckily, my old goalie coach, Shawn Hunwick, gave me a call and told me to tryout for Little Caesars. I told him I didn’t think I had any chance of making the team but he convinced me to give it a shot.
“I took advantage of the opportunity I had there but still after the season it was a lot of no’s from USHL and NAHL teams. The [Soo] Eagles finally gave me a chance and the rest kind of tells itself, you can ask Coach Mike [Letizia] and he’ll tell you, all I care about is winning hockey games. Regardless of what’s happens I want to win every night.”
McPhail said he can’t wait to get to Big Rapids in the fall and suit up for Bob Daniels and the Bulldogs.
“It’s been a wild ride but I am very thankful for the opportunity to come in and win some games for Coach Daniels and the rest of the staff at FSU.”