Features > Player Spotlight- #18 Carl Lehtola
Player Spotlight- #18 Carl Lehtola
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer
Eugene, OR- Carl Lehtola is a 5-11, 175 lb, 19 year old forward from Irving, TX. He is one of two players from Texas on the Generals this year, and he has already made a splash. Lehtola talks about injuries, his hockey, his dad and his goals for the season.
Chris Bilder: You were injured during the off-season, and only got on the ice a few times before coming to the Generals Camp. Do you feel like you’ve fully recovered from your off-season injury?
Carl Lehtola: Right now I’m fully recovered, but when I got here I was still a little rusty and had a hard time shaking all the rust off.
CB: You appear to be getting better every time you step on the ice, and put up five points last weekend. Do you feel you’ve gotten back to your pre-injury level of play?
CL: I do. My goal every time I step onto the ice is to play better than I did the shift before. As long as I keep doing that I’ll be happy.
CB: Your dad is a pretty big figure in hockey in Texas. How was it growing up with somebody who was so influential in hockey in the state you lived in?
CL: It was great. We knew a lot of great hockey people, and the hockey community in Texas is small and very tight knit. They always helped us out a lot. Because my dad worked for the [Dallas] Stars we always got to go to the games and get help from them.
CB: Did he give you any advice before coming to play with the Generals?
CL: Be safe and play hard.
CB: You lead the Generals in assists (t-9th in NORPAC), and you are second in the team in points (t-13th in NORPAC). Are you happy with your performance thus far into the season?
CL: I’m satisfied, but I’m not happy. There is always room for improvement, and I want to be first in both of those categories. Then I’ll be happy.
CB: You came up with big points in big situations last weekend. Both of the goals you scored last weekend were game-tying goals at the time you scored them, and you had a game-winning assist and a game-tying assist on the weekend. What makes you so good when the team really needs a goal?
CL: I’ve always been a go-to guy. I always play well under pressure especially against good teams. When I play against weaker teams I tend to play down to their level, but when I play good teams I step it up to their level.
CB: Is that something you want to improve upon?
CL: To never let up no matter what team you play against.
CB: You play the first place Seattle Totems this weekend. What do you hope to accomplish during the two games in Seattle?
CL: To shut down their first line, and score more than they do.
CB: What does the team need to do to win two games this weekend?
CL: Keep our feet moving, move the puck quick, get shots on net and play smart in our defensive zone.
CB: Where do you hope to be playing next year and the year after next?
CL: Next year I want to play in the NAHL or the USHL. Hopefully I’ll be playing D I for Sacred Heart University.