Bobo Carpenter has no shortage of family members to lean on when looking for hockey advice. His father Bobby is a 19-year NHL veteran, who played with five different teams. His sister Alex is a US Olympian who starred at Boston College.
The younger Carpenter is an intriguing prospect who really climbed the rankings in the latter half of the season due to a strong performance in his limited time in Sioux City following his high school season at Austin Prep.
Carpenter played in nine games with the Musketeers in the USHL, posting five goals and adding four assists. He will spend his entire senior season in Sioux City before heading to Boston University in the fall of 2015.
Carpenter's high school team, Austin Prep, had a good season, finishing as the runner-up to Massachusetts state champion Malden Catholic. Carpenter coasted at times, appearing to be disinterested in the level of competition in high school hockey.
Having seen Carpenter numerous times, including in the USPHL with the Islanders Hockey Club, he is goal scorer who can use his strength and powerful stride to get into the scoring areas. He isn't the type of player who will dazzle opposing teams with his hands, but he is as dangerous as they come in the slot. Carpenter possesses a strong hockey IQ, something that will continue to stay with him as other players catch up to his strength.
Carpenter is the type of player who might go higher than his Central Scouting Service ranking would indicate due to his pedigree and ability to play a power game. Carpenter could go anywhere from the late third round to the end of the sixth.
Quick Facts:
Robert Carpenter
Central Scouting Final Ranking: 119
Hometown: North Reading, Mass.
2013-14 Team: Austin Prep (Mass. High School)
2014-15 Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Height/Weight: 5-10/183
Strengths: Hard shot, quick release, goal scorer, puck finds him
Weakness: coasted some, especially in defensive zone in high school, lacked interest compared to junior games
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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSports.