SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – “We all watched pretty closely when we knew that Pittsburgh was coming up because that was the team that we all expected that I was probably going to go to. I had I talked to them the most. So definitely a cool feeling.” Carter Sanderson says.
It’s a feeling people in Pierre are getting used to this year with Grey Zabel getting picked in the first round of the NFL Draft and Lincoln Kienholz competing for the starting quarterback job at Ohio State.
“Pierre has just been kind of gifted with athletes. You see every year there is kids going to play Division One for football or some for baseball.” Carter says.
Sanderson’s road looked a lot different than most Pierre athletes.
Though he began playing high school hockey with the Oahe Capitals in the eighth grade four years ago, Carter knew he’d have to leave home to make his hockey dreams come true.
“Hockey is kind of set apart from all the other sports.” Sanderson says. “Having to make that hard decision, for the betterment of myself and for my hockey career, to go play in Alexandria Minnesota for a year, was definitely hard but obviously a hundred percent worth it in the end here. So I played in Minnesota here two years ago and then played for the Sioux Falls Power and then, this last year, I played my first year of juniors in the USHL for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.”
Helping the Lumberjacks win a Clark Cup would be a memorable and eye opening experience.
“In Sioux Falls I was the top point leader on my team but then, coming into Muskegon, there was guys who are older, quite a bit more skilled. That was kind of cool to look up to the leadership and the guys who have played in the USHL for a year or two now.” Sanderson says.
Which, though he attended the Penguins prospect camp last week, is why you won’t see the University of North Dakota commit turning pro yet.
Carter plans to return to Muskegon eager to take the next step in his game.
“My production was a little low last year so I’m hoping to build that up and still play physical like I did last year.” Carter says.
Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.