Playing in the Stanley Cup final 14 years after being chosen by the Maple Leafs, Sam Carrick said he “never really expected to be here.”

Then-GM Brian Burke selected Carrick in the fifth round of the 2010 draft, 144th overall. After Florida drafted Zach Hyman, with whom he was seated next to, he moved up 21 spots.

When Sam Carrick thinks back on the detours and turns that have led him to this point, his smile grows.

From the frozen ponds of Stouffville, to getting selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs, his childhood fantasy team, to playing as a journeyman hockey player, and finally to the Stanley Cup final.

A few days ago in Sunrise, Florida, Carrick stated, “I never really expected to be here.” “Always wished for and dreamed about it. To get where I am, I put in a lot of work. And now that this chance has presented itself, I’m attempting to seize it.

A few days ago in Sunrise, Florida, Carrick stated, “I never really expected to be here.” “Always wished for and dreamed about it. To get where I am, I put in a lot of work. And now that this chance has presented itself, I’m attempting to seize it.

He has played in ten playoff games and made an impression in the Stanley Cup final, receiving a $2,213.54 fine for slashing Dmitry Kulikov, a defenseman for the Florida Panthers, late in Game 2’s third period.

Even though he has been in and out of the lineup because of coach Kris Knoblauch’s propensity to make constant adjustments, Knoblauch loves the toughness of his game.

“He is a guy who has been doing some penalty killing and is good on faceoffs, so we wanted some depth for our lineup,” Knoblauch remarked. “He has contributed some offensive play, but his play on defense has been our strongest point. And he gives our game a tangible component.”

The Oilers have a large roster of former Leafs and Marlies. From 2014 to 2016, Carrick collaborated with Zach Hyman and Connor Brown. In addition, he happened to run upon Carter Verhaeghe of Florida, who played for the Marlies in two games in 2014.