Some kids play with a chip on their shoulder to help them get motivated for a game. Carter Bourland plays with an angel on his hip. Carter draws his strength from the memory of his older brother Josh, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2000. Josh’s initials are on Carters jerseys, and go with him into each game. The memory and motivation from a loved one has made Carter one the best high school hockey players in the state, and a great person away from the ice.
Carter came to the Cats at the start of his sophomore season after a very successful youth travel career. He made an immediate impact for the 2006 state runner-up team. He scored 29 goals during that first season, including a goal in the state championship game. This season he leads the Cats with 37 goals and is tied for the team lead with 7 game winning goals. Carter’s biggest contribution to his team is the respect that he has earned from his teammates. Recently Carter missed a game in Meadville due to an ankle injury. While he only missed four periods of play, you could see the void the team felt without their go to guy. After tying that game and trailing 2-0 in the next game, Carter returned and scored 2 quick goals to tie the game. It was his way of telling his team that he had their backs. Northview went on to defeat rival Meadville 6-3. His physical presence in the locker room is matched only by his 6’-0’ 200 pound frame on the ice. Recently Carter’s game-winning overtime goal in Bowling Green gave the Cats their second league title in 3 years. It was the type of play Northview fans have become accustomed to seeing, the game on the line and the team on Carter’s shoulders.
Carter has an angel wing tattoo between his shoulder blades in memory of his brother Josh. Hopefully, those wings will help lift Carter and the Cats far into the playoffs. Good luck Cats and Congratulations Carter!
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