Carson Lambos was the second-overall selection by the Kootenay ICE in the 2018 Western Hockey League's Bantam Draft. This after he was the Top Defenceman in the Canadian School Sport Hockey League playing with the Rink Hockey Academy Nationals in Winnipeg.
He also posted 51 points in just 35 games that season. 11 of the points came in just five playoff games. In the 2018-2019 season, Lambos got a taste of the WHL lifestyle as he played his first five junior games on the ICE who were then located in Cranbrook, British Columbia. In those five games, Lambos scored one goal.
That season ended up being the organization's final in B.C. as they relocated to Winnipeg as major junior hockey returned to Canada. A native of Winnipeg, the relocation meant Lambos would play his junior hockey days in his hometown which gave his family and friends a great chance to watch him live.
After a solid first five games the previous season, Lambos became a top-line guy this past season for the ICE, playing out of the Wayne Fleming Arena. He suited up in 57 games prior to the season being cut short because of the novel coronavirus. He scored eight times and added another 24 assists for a 32 point total.
Lambos was also expected to be a nominee for Rookie of the Year before everything was shut down. Carson finished second in rookie scoring on the team and he was ninth overall in scoring.
"I was really happy with how things worked out this past season. I was put in a spot where I could succeed," said Lambos. "I also got to play with some veteran guys that really helped me succeed in this league. I expect bigger and better things from myself moving forward."
"Playing in Winnipeg was tremendous, it was great coming back home," added Lambos. "Seeing my family and friends often made the jump to junior much easier on me. Winnipeg is a great place to play."
World Stage:
This past season started as a special one because the Winnipeg native played his first WHL campaign. But, that wasn't the only reason why. Every winter, Team Canada sends a Red, White, and Black team to the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
The tournament welcomes the United States, Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, and Finland. Lambos was on Team White and he certainly made an impression on the world stage in his debut playing for Team Canada. In six games, he posted five assists. Matthew Savoie was also on Carson's team and they're teammates on the ICE.
The tournament was played between Swift Current and Medicine Hat and Carson's five points were tied for the second-most on the team.
"That was such an incredible experience playing against players from across the world," said Lambos. "It was amazing to see the talent and it gave me a chance to see where I stack up against these great players. I am truly grateful that I was given the opportunity."
In other Team Canada news, every summer, Canada sends a team to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. That tournament features the top U18 players from across the world, all of which play in front of National Hockey League scouts and other professional leagues around the globe.
Canada has won gold 22 times at the event, 18 more than Russia who has won the second-most with four. Canada also has three silver and one bronze medal to their name, nine more than Russia who has 17 overall medals.
The first step to sending a team to the event which was to be played from August 3-8 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, was a selection camp. That camp has been cancelled as Hockey Canada announced the cancellation of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup due to the novel coronavirus.
However, Hockey Canada has still announced what its selection camp roster would have looked like, and once again, Lambos is front and centre. Carson is one of 12 Western Hockey Leaguers that were named to the selection camp roster. The list also includes fellow Winnipegger Conner Roulette and Tyler Brennan.
"To be recognized like that is a big honour for me, it's pretty surreal to be quite honest, continued Lambos. "Playing for Team Canada is a dream when you grow up, it's
everything. Obviously we're in some pretty unfortunate times so the camp and tournament won't take place, but it means a lot that I was recognized."
For now, Carson continues to train for the 2020-2021 Western Hockey League season. As a few rinks have opened in Winnipeg, Lambos has been able to add on-ice training to his training schedule, one that is quite heavy as he looks to continue where he left off this past season.
When the season ended, Winnipeg was 38-24-1, good for 77 points and second place in the East Division. Icing a relatively young roster this past season, the Winnipegger is expecting bigger and better things moving forward into next season.
"I think we only expect to get better than last year," concluded Lambos. "We certainly have high hopes, I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do."
