A promising new chapter awaits in Megan Carter’s already storied hockey career.
The 23-year-old Miltonian – a two-time Hockey East Defender of the Year who helped Northeastern to three NCAA Frozen Four appearances – was taken 12th overall in Monday’s PWHL draft.
“There are no words. It’s so exciting,” said Carter, a positionally-formidable blueliner who plays a big shut-down game. She was acquired with Toronto’s second-round pick while joined by her parents in Minnesota. “This league has had a great season and I’m just excited to be a part of the next one.”
It’s hard to believe Carter had much, or any, time to follow the PWHL or even contemplate her pro hockey future.
She departs university having earned dual degrees – a bachelor’s in biology and master’s in human movement and rehabilitation science – and completed two co-ops at Boston hospitals
Then there was her responsibilities as captain of the rebuilding Huskies and role as president of Northeastern’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
That impressive resumé earned her the NCAA’s Elite 90 award as the top student at three straight Frozen Fours and made her a worthy selection to be this spring’s student speaker at the graduate commencement ceremony at Fenway Park.
Still, Carter kept close tabs on the PWHL, whose ranks include a number of standout graduates from Boston-area universities. Among them is fellow Miltonian and soon-to-be-Toronto teammate Victoria Bach.
“I was loving the physicality watching this season, so I think I’ll fit in quite nicely and I’m excited to get started,” said Carter, who’s leaning towards a career in sports medicine after her PWHL career.
As heavily predicted, Georgetown's Sarah Fillier went first overall in the draft, selected by New York.
Two of Carter's Northeastern teammates were also picked up. Gwyneth Philips was the first goalie taken -- going to Ottawa in the third round -- while Katy Knoll was the seventh-round pick for inaugural league champion Minnesota.