Lyle Carter

Lyle Carter was a well travelled goaltender, playing for teams nicknamed Mohawks, Ceebees, 7-ups and Pepsi-Colas!

So it only makes sense his only NHL action would come with a team named the Golden Seals.

Originally a Montreal prospect, Lyle Carter was playing senior hockey in Atlantic Canada when he was acquired by the expansion California Golden Seals.

After many minor league stops Carter finally got his chance with 15 NHL games in the 1971-72 season. He started out well, winning four of his first six starts. But then he went cold, finishing with a 4-7 record.

In what proved to be his second final career game he took a slap shot from Buffalo sharpshooter Rick Martin that caught him in the rib, tearing some cartilage. After spending some time in rehab, he re-tore the injury in his first game back.

“Martin fired a slapshot that hit me under the belly pad and I tore some rib cartilage,” Carter told The Hockey News. “I was out for three weeks and in my first game back I tore it open again. The Seals sent me to the minors to get back in shape and I never got back (to the NHL).”

He did get a chance to dress as a back up in a game for the Minnesota North Stars in 1973, backing up Gump Worsley. Otherwise he bounced around the minor leagues until retiring in 1975.

After leaving the ice Carter returned to Nova Scotia where he owned two radiator repair shops and contributed to the local paper as a columnist. He was also a notable softball player.