Matt Carlson (Grand Forks, N.D.), a former defenseman for the Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team, has signed a professional contract with the Quad City Mallards, the Central Hockey League (CHL).
“Matt is a young defenseman who provides size and strength and comes to us from a very good college program,” said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski. “He can bring us a lot of energy and additional presence on the blue line.”
Carlson may make his professional debut as early as tomorrow night when the Mallards host the Bloomington Blaze at iwireless Center for a 7:07 p.m. opening face off.
Carlson will play out the remainder of the season with Quad City, which includes three regular-season games and the CHL playoffs, with the hope of catching on with the organization for the 2013-14 campaign.
Carlson will wear No. 5, the same number he wore as a player for the Beavers.
Carlson played in 79 games at Bemidji State, with 11 coming during his senior season. He accumulated two goals and four assists for six points. The six-foot, three-inch blueliner had his best season in the green and white as a sophomore, netting two goals to go with two assists in 32 games played. He finished the 2010-11 season with a +4 plus/minus rating.
While at BSU, Carlson and his fellow seniors helped lead the Beavers to an overall record of 91-78-20, a CHA championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance and a trip to the WCHA/Red Baron Final Five. He was also a member of the last BSU team to skate in the storied John S. Glas Fieldhouse the first to make its home in Bemidji’s new Sanford Center.
Equally as talented in the classroom, Carlson is a three-time Academic All-WCHA selection, a two-time WCHA Scholar Athlete honoree.
Quad City, which is located in Moline, Ill. currently holds down sixth place in the CHL’s Berry Division with an overall record of 31-26-6 and has already clinched a playoff berth.
Bemidji State, which finished 6-22-8 overall and posted an 5-16-7 mark in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play to finish 11th in the league, wrapped up the 2012-13 campaign with a trip to No. 2 University of North Dakota for the opening round of the WCHA playoffs.