McCarthy to Anaheim

On the day of the Home of Champions Alumni Banquet it's nice to have some good news to report on a Smokies alumni.

Trail native and former Trail Smoke Eater Steve McCarthy is headed back to the NHL. After a year in Russia's KHL, McCarthy has signed a one year deal with the Anaheim Ducks. No word on the financial terms or whether this is a one or two way deal. Either way it's great to see him back in the NHL. McCarthy has shown tremendous potential in the NHL but has run into some injuries at the worst times. I expect under a great coach like Randy Carlyle with an organization like Anaheim that seems to breed defencemen he'll have a terrific opportunity to grow.

McCarthy set Trail Smoke Eaters records for goals, assists and points by a defenceman in the 1996-97 BCHL season. He put up 25 goals, 52 assists and 77 points. He did all that as a rookie playing against men. McCarthy was drafted by Chicago in the first round of the 1999 NHL entry draft. His best pro season was probably 06-07 when he had 16 points in 46 games. His best run as a pro was when he was first traded to Atlanta from Vancouver in 05-06 and scored 10 points in 16 games.

McCarthy has yet to play a playoff game in the NHL. If he can stick with Anaheim I suspect that will change next season.