Carroll steps Into the spotlight
By John Buccigross
May 13, 2003
John Carroll is not
used to the star treatment.
Usually, the 36-year-old defenseman is busy quietly peeling off his equipment and dealing with the various bumps and bruises arising from his duties as a defensive defensman, while others answer the questions and entertain the hordes of media after a game.
So, as the Guppies player of the week, last week, Carroll was a wee bit uncomfortable with being in the spotlight.
Carroll,
Crayton, and Kelly have served as the Guppies Captains since 1995. |
|
|
|
"The spotlight isn't where you will find John no matter how much he deserves it" stated Guppies Captain Brian Kelly. "I still remember the Overtime goal John scored in the OT of the Whalers Alumni tournament, It's one of the biggest goals in Guppies history"
As a kid growing up playing in the streets in Killingworth, you always dream of scoring the overtime winner. It's one of the best feelings I have had ever had in my life." stated Carroll remembering his heroics back in 1995. That same year Caroll was also named as the teams assistant captain a role he still continues today.
For so long, the thought of playing with the Guppies often seemed like a dream to Carroll.
But, a two-year apprenticeship playing on the tennis courts of Clinton, CT finally paid off with full-time Guppies employment in 1995. He joined the Killingworth Guppies in the summer of 1995 and played himself into the top defenseman position. He was also an original member of the Guppies famed TOG (Team Old Guy) formed by Carroll and former Guppies Joel Burzenski and Tim Gessner. Later in 1996 Dave Armenia would join the TOG gang.
"funny thing is that any of the guys on the team now would be on TOG back in 1995 but we are all so much older now" stated Guppies forward Marc Crayton
Since then, he has used his dedication, attention to the defensive side of the puck and his team-first attitude to remain a marketable player through the years with the Guppies. Teammate Rob Murphy "Johnny is always covering us defensively"
|
|
|
John
Carroll is an original member of "Team Old Guy" which has become a
fan favorite in Killingworth. |
Caroll has provided depth for a team loaded with stars. Still, he scored 5 goals and 13 assists in 16 regular-season games over the past two seasons.
His performance, especially coming from an assignment that often stifles offensive numbers, is just one of the reasons why the Killingworth Guppies finished with the best record in the past two seasons.
Guppies defenseman Tom Mierkiewicz, has been a fan of Carroll's all year. He sees Carroll doing his job, moving from line to line without complaint, and Mierkiewicz just smiles. He knows that his team would not be the two time defending Champion if it did not have the depth that Carroll epitomizes.
"I think it's really important to have depth because you are going to have players that are not at their best every night and there's always one line stepping up or two lines," Mierk said. "If you can see that one or two lines are going real good defensively the other two lines can make sure, OK, they are going, we got to make sure we play good defensively. Tighten up and let them carry the play. But I think we push each other as well. Everybody wants to be that line every night and I think that's good."
After four championships in his seven seasons John Carroll understands what it takes to win and he knows the pain when you don't. "I'm not a good golfer so, I like to go far into the playoffs."
"I realize I am not getting any younger, so I am enjoying this run immensely," said Carroll. "It is a great feeling. We have got an unbelievable bunch of guys in the room. You just can't wait to come to the rink and spend time with them. It is a great chemistry and I think it leads to team success."
The Killingworth Guppies
A division of Killingworth Guppies Sports Net
and K-Town Sports Entertainment- www.killingworth-guppies.com