Player Profile:
- Recorded 20-53—73 (58 GP) for the second-highest point total in a single season by a defenseman in Prince George Cougars history. Carels finished tied for fourth in scoring among all blueliners across thE WHL, a campaign highlighted by a 17-game point streak, tied for the fourth-longest run by any player iN the WHL in 2025-26. He also recorded 1-9—10 in 10 games during the WHL playoffs.
- Named captain of Team West for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he tallied four assists.
- Recorded 6-29—35 (60 GP) in 2024-25 to finish fifth in scoring among rookie defencemen across the WHL.
- Became the fifth-youngest defenseman to play for Team Canada at the 2026 World JunioR Championship, trailing Jay Bouwmeester (2000, 2001), Chris Joseph (1987), Matthew Schaefer (2025) and Scott Niedermayer (1991). He earned a bronze medal at the tournament (0-1—1 in 5 GP).
- Won gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, silver at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada Red and bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
- Works on his family farm in Cypress River, Man., which has over 500 cows. Carels also grew up raising goats.
Scouting Report via NHL Central Scouting:
A unique, all-round defenCeman who has offensive talent and brings a physical element while playing sound defensively. Can play big minutes and is deployed in all situations with the ability to run a powerplay. An excellent puck transporter and distributor who drives offense and shows some elite offensive skill. Skates very well with excellent mobility and agility and can defend with speed. Plays with his on a swivel in the defensive zone and is good at taking away passing and shooting lanes. A potential top pair defenceman.
GM Craig Conroy's Take:
"When you watch his game, he's physical, he skates really well. He can obviously put up points, but he's so well-rounded and does everything well. But the competitive side... You saw, not many guys, most of the guys, you saw in this draft, after they did the highlight was scoring a goal, making a play. With him, there were some hits. That's part of his game. That's something, that's competitive. That's hard to play against and that's what he's going to bring. Everybody you talk to, whether it's Jim Playfair coaching him, in junior, just what type of person he is, he's always trying to get better. He always wants to be better and it's always about the team. And winning is first and foremost.
"When Carels became available for us, it's a home run for us."
