Sam Carleton has had quite a memorable journey – with many, many miles traveled – to the starting goaltender spot for the co-op Naperville Hockey Club, a mix of students from Naperville Central, Naperville North and Saint Francis High Schools.

 

“The start to my hockey career was pretty unusual compared to other players in this league,” Carleton said. “I started playing in Singapore with kids of all ages and played a lot of roller hockey. We practiced and played on a rink in the middle of a shopping mall; it allowed me to play in tournaments all over Asia, which was a cool experience.”

 

Now 17 and living in Woodridge, Carleton is a senior at Naperville North, wearing jersey No. 31 for the team’s home games at All Seasons Ice Rink in Naperville.

 

His youth career also included time playing for the Sabres, including a 2022 state championship.

 

Carleton and Naperville won the Carillon Cup in 2024, marking the first team other than the Warriors to win it. Initiated in 2018 by former Naperville North head coach Bill Driscoll, this unique tournament is modeled after the Beanpot in Boston, an annual hockey event since 1952, highlighting four major college hockey schools. The Carillon Cup is named to honor the Naperville Millennium Carillon, (Moser Tower), thus, the trophy reflects the architecture of the notable tower located in downtown Naperville. The tournament promotes high school hockey in Naperville and Aurora.

 

“Winning the Carillon Cup with guys I’ve played with my whole high school career made the win mean a lot more,” said Carleton, who also won the Goalie MVP Award at last season’s all-star game.

 

Other noteworthy moments from his hockey trek:

 

• As a sophomore, he recorded his first shutout. “We beat Sandburg 2-0, and it was on my birthday. I was the youngest guy on the team that year, and everyone celebrating was sweet,” he said.
• The shootout against Sandburg last year was a fond memory. “The game was getting chippy and I made four stops during the shootout, which helped us get the win,” he said.
• Carter Wszolek scoring his first goal this season was “a great play and everyone was so happy when he buried it,” he said.

 

“Sam not only is an incredible goalie, but also an incredible young man,” said Naperville head coach Scott Matthews. “He is very well liked by his teammates and coaches. His compete level in practice and games is always at a very high level. His compete level has earned him an alternative captain position as a goalie. His teammates look up to him as a leader on and off the ice. I am extremely lucky to have such a good player to coach.”

 

Carleton brings an aggressive approach to goaltending which, he admits, is good and bad.

 

“I’ve really simplified my game this season. I’m not trying to do too much and forcing myself to have to make a crazy play,” he said.

 

“We lost a lot of seniors last year, so it’s been a slower start with a bunch of new faces in the locker room, but there’s a lot of talent on the team and I’m confident we can start to turn things around. Our team is made up of a lot of juniors and underclassmen, and a big part of making that change happen is making sure we, the seniors, can lead and help create opportunities that we were given in years past.

 

“I think we can make a deep run. At the end of the day, the goal is always winning a state championship. We have a lot of offensive talent and grit. Everyone plays with a chip on their shoulder and wants to win their shift.”

 

Naperville opened its IHSHL West slate with a 2-6 mark and Carleton had a 3.46 goals-against average during that start.

 

Landon Connolly and Connor Eilers are the lone Naperville forwards with 10 or more points in their first eight league games.

 

 

 

 

Stopping Slapshots With … Naperville Goalie Sam Carleton

Superstitions On The Ice: “Between whistles, I always skate to my glove side and come back to the net. I also always put my left skate and left pad on first.”

Influences: “My parents have been big supporters of my hockey career; they sacrificed their weekends driving me to tournaments and games. They’ve also been my biggest supporters on and off the ice. So have my coaches, especially Coach Matthews. He’s been with me most of my high school career, and he has really helped me become a better person on and off the ice. The entire coaching staff at Naperville Hockey Club has really impacted my life, giving me confidence and the opportunity to be a leader. I cannot thank them enough.”

Long-Term Goals: “I’d like to graduate from (a) university with a degree in civil engineering or teaching and hopefully be able to coach youth hockey.”

Hobbies: “I love music; I collect vinyl records. I also love the outdoors. I spend my summers in Canada as a counselor at a summer camp and camping with my friends.”

Favorite NHL Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Favorite NHL Player: Simon Benoit

Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Remember the Titans or Slapshot

Favorite TV Show: Tires

Motivational Song: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill

Favorite Pre-game Meal: A grilled cheese with chicken on the side

Favorite app: Clash Royale

Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Simon Benoit

Favorite High School Jersey (other than Naperville): Oswego, with the diagonal letters

The Quote: “I play lacrosse in the spring for Naperville North. I’m a captain for the varsity team and play close defense. I’m also involved in a lot of clubs within my high school, like the yearbook club and student government. But usually off the ice, I’m either at home or at the library doing homework and studying.”

It Helps: “Lacrosse helps me stay in shape all year long, but the conditioning and lifting that we do really allow me to be a stronger player for both lacrosse and hockey.”