Carson Dimoff, one of the best Western US prospects in the 99’ birth year, has had unique journey to college hockey.
“I was born and raised in the Scottsdale area, so, obviously, hockey wasn’t the most popular sport,” admitted Dimoff. “However, both my parents are Canadian born and have a passion for the game, so I started skating at 3 years old and was playing organized hockey at 5 years old.”
He played for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes for 10 seasons, but it wasn’t until his Bantam Major year when he started getting attention from WHL and NCAA scouts. He was one of the top players on a very talented team including Mark Kastelic (Calgary/WHL), Ryan Savage (Miami-Ohio), Joey Strada (Arizona St) and Adam Samuelsson (BC). His youth hockey success got him drafted by Everett in the seventh round of the WHL Bantam Draft.
He returned to the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes the next season and led the U16 team in points as a first year midget player. After that season he would have a decision to make; to return to Phoenix, tryout for Everett in the WHL or join his friend Ryan Savage in Austria to play for the EC Red Bull Salzburg U18 team. He decided to travel across the country and across the Atlantic Ocean in order to make his dreams come to fruition.
“Playing in Salzburg was a once in a lifetime experience and it was impossible for me to turn down. The facility is second to none and the coaches are there for you. Their doors are open 24/7 wanting to help you develop, not only into a better hockey player, but a gentlemen off the ice as well. Living in Salzburg and being able to travel the world with Red Bull was the best decision I’ve ever made, it truly changed my life.”
Being overseas made it harder to get noticed by college teams, but for Carson, development outweighed exposure.
“The competition in practice and in the gym pushed me to a new level. Knowing that you’re not guaranteed a spot in the lineup made everyone fight to earn their position. Playing on the U20 team helped show me what speed I need to play at and how quick I needed to make decisions in order to be successful at the next level.”
By December he started getting offers from colleges, Miami-Ohio being the first, and also visited his home state school at Arizona St. In the end, he decided to follow his EC Salzburg coach Matt Deschamps to St. Lawrence University.
“When St. Lawrence contacted me I was extremely excited, I learnt very quickly what their future plans were and how they planned on getting there. The visit was professional and Coach Morris made me feel very welcome. I’m honored to be committed to such a historic University.”
Dimoff is a two-way forward who competes at both ends, is tough to play against, has a hard shot and is strong on the puck. We asked him to describe himself for the St. Lawrence fans.
“I play a hard physical game; I love to show my skill but even more my work ethic. I’m looking to improve the little things this season, also working in the gym and on the ice to be more explosive.”
He will return to the United States this season and play for the Aberdeen Wings (NAHL). We closed out the interview by asking him what advice he would give to the next group of youth players just starting the college recruiting process.
“Have a goal and never forget why you work so hard. Backing it up in the classroom is just as important. With team success brings individual success, so being a good teammate is crucial.”
Dimoff is the first recruit for the new staff at St. Lawrence and the first forward commit for the 2018 Recruiting Class.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images