Carroll Announces Retirement
Published on May 27, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs News Release
BOSSIER CITY, LA - The Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League today announced the retirement of the most tenured player in franchise history: longtime goaltender Ken Carroll. In nine seasons with the Mudbugs, Carroll compiled perhaps the most celebrated goaltending resume in CHL/WPHL history, breaking a host of team and league records along the way.
Carroll, the last remaining player from Bossier-Shreveport's 2001 President's Cup Championship team, became the first player to spend nine seasons in purple and teal during the recently completed 2009-10 campaign. Now, after a total of ten years pro, Carroll has decided to hang up his skates.
"Getting married and starting a new chapter of my life; it just feels like now is the right time," Carroll said. "I've played for ten years, and with Janae and I wanting to start a family together, I'm at peace with saying that I'm done."
"I want to thank the Mudbugs organization and all the fans for always supporting me throughout my time here. Thanks to John Madden and Tommy & Leslie Scott for ensuring that Mudbugs hockey is a focal point in this community. And, of course, thanks to âMusky' for bringing me here in 2001 and having the confidence in me to let me play the sport I love."
Carroll, who will turn 34 in July, ends his hockey career as the CHL's all-time shutout king, racking up a league record 31 shutouts in his time with the âBugs. He is also tied for second in league history in victories with 187 and is the only CHL goaltender to be selected to six All-Star Games. When the league released its All-Decade teams for 2000-2009 on New Year's Eve, Carroll was announced as the First Team goaltender.
"For the past decade, Kenny Carroll has been an integral part of this organization and this community," said Head Coach Scott Muscutt. "He has always held the bar exceptionally high for himself and his teammates. You can't help but notice his dedication and passion for excellence. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that he is marrying a local girl, because there's nothing in this town that Kenny hasn't given his heart to. His career is certainly worthy of celebration."
Right from the onset of his career during the 2000-2001 season, #34 was an impact player for Bossier-Shreveport. The rookie netminder recorded an 11-2 playoff record to help the âBugs earn their third consecutive President's Cup Championship on his way to WPHL Rookie of the Year honors. He also captured his first Goaltender of the Year award that season.
After spending one year away in the ECHL, the Oil City, Ontario native returned to Bossier-Shreveport to become a Mudbugs fixture both on and off the ice. He helped lead the Mudbugs back to the President's Cup Finals in 2004, where they lost the now-infamous Game 7 to Laredo in overtime.
"Of course winning a championship in 2001 will always be a great memory, but I think what I'll remember most is the Laredo series in â04. The guys we had on that team, the ups and downs and the adversity we faced together is something I'll remember forever. I know we didn't win, but at the same time, we felt like we won. We just don't have the rings to prove it."
Carroll and the Mudbugs went back to the Finals again in 2006 after he took home his second Most Outstanding Goaltender honor and earned a spot on the All-CHL team. Carroll and John DeCaro then teamed up to break nearly all of the league's single-season defensive records in 2007-08, setting new marks in team goals-against average, shutout wins and shutout streak, among others. On December 14, 2007, Carroll became the league's career shutout leader with 34 saves in a 3-0 win over Colorado.
The 5-10, 175-pound netminder appeared in 303 games as a Mudbug, posting a 187-81-25 career record and finishing with a 2.15 GAA and a .928 saves percentage. He also won 31 career playoff games in 54 appearances and had six more shutouts in the postseason.
"The thing I'll miss the most is the competitiveness," said Carroll. "Being on the ice every day, trying to make yourself and your teammates better, and being around guys who all have the same goal as you is really fun. I'm pretty proud of spending nine years in this city and representing the Mudbugs for pretty much my whole career."
Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs 2010-2011 season tickets are on sale now, so call 752-BUGS for ticketing information and log on to www.mudbugshockey.com for all the latest Mudbugs offseason news.
Central Hockey League Stories from May 27, 2010
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