Lake Forest College Graduate Allie Carter to Tend Goal in Austria
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois, graduate (2016) and Canton, Michigan, native Allie Carter has started her first season in the professional European Elite Women's Hockey League (EWHL). Carter, who is tending goal for the DEC Salzburg Eagles, Salzburg, Austria, is one of three Americans and one Canadian on the team.
Carter served as goalie for the Lake Forest College women's hockey team from 2014-2016.
"Allie is a very special player and the opportunity to play professionally is certainly an incredible accolade for her, as well as our hockey program," said Lake Forest College Athletic Director Jackie Slaats.
"We couldn't be prouder of Allie and look forward to cheering her on to great success in this next exciting chapter of her career," adds Slaats.
In a nod to tradition, Carter chose 30, her Lake Forest College number, for her jersey.
"It's hard to find a team who is in need of a goalie import, but I have been in contact with the DEC Salzburg Eagles since I graduated from Lake Forest College in 2016. The imports from previous seasons have had nothing but great things to say about the organization, so when I heard they needed a goaltender for the 2017-18 season, it seemed like a perfect match," notes Carter.
"My best friend, who played for Princeton [University], will also be on the team with me this upcoming season, so I'm incredibly lucky for this opportunity with the Eagles," adds Carter.
The DEC Salzburg Eagles will be playing professional women's teams in Italy, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Kazakhstan.
"I reached out to teams in Europe because it's a great opportunity to travel and see the world while continuing to play hockey," said Carter.
The EWHL was established in 2004 and consists of eight teams---EV Bozen Eagles, Italy; KMH Budapest, Hungary; HC SKP Bratislava, Slovakia; DEC Salzburg Eagles, Austria; Aisulu Almaty, Italy; EHV Sabres Vienna, Austria; Neuberg Highlanders, Germany; and the Southern Stars, Denmark. The DEC Salzburg Eagles ranked fourth during the 2016-2017 season.
Language has been less of a difficulty than Carter anticipated.
"We have a [Finnish] coach this season and her German isn't very strong, so English is actually the only language the coach and most team members speak and understand," said Carter.
Nevertheless, Carter is learning German so that she can communicate with team members who don't speak English.
"Carter's work ethic ensures she will be successful, no matter what she does," said Lake Forest College women's hockey Head Coach Carisa Wahlig.
"Carter is a great competitor and loves hockey. She can handle pressure, be counted on by her teammates, and is one of the hardest working goalies I've ever had the pleasure to coach," says Wahlig.
During her time with the Foresters, Carter racked up a .929 save percentage and 1.61 goals against average in 36 games played.
In her final collegiate season, Carter was twice named Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Defensive Player of the Week, as well as First Team West All-American and to the All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association team. She was a member of the D3 Hockey.com First Team, All-West Region. Also, she was named to the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic Team. Carter was the Lake Forest College women's hockey team's Most Valuable Player during the 2015-2016 season and was named the Forester Athlete of the Week on Feburary 18, 2016.
The DEC Salzburg Eagles' first game is on September 10, 2017, in Sterzing, Italy, against the Aisulu Almaty (Italy).