Colony grads signed by East Coast junior team

PALMER — Chris Sawyer and Braden Carter have been skating together just about as long as they’ve been on skates.

Through youth and high school hockey, comp hockey and a year of juniors in the NORPAC, their lives in the sport have followed the same path.

Now, the lifelong friends and longtime teammates are going to once again take the next step in their careers together. The 2010 graduates of Colony High have been signed by the Philadelphia Jackals of the Junior A Tier III International Junior Hockey League.

“I always love playing with that kid,” Carter said recently. “We try to stick together, try to help each other.”

With the help of each other, each has made steady progress in their hockey careers. After four years in the Knights program, both were signed by the NORPAC’s River City team and played the 2010-11 season with the Jaguars. Now they’re headed East to play in the IJHL.

Sawyer first caught the eye of a Philadelphia coach two years ago during a hockey showcase. Thanks to sponsorships from the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15 and 35 and American Legion Post 35, Sawyer was able to skate in the showcase.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound forward made enough of an impression to garner an offer from the Jackals. Not only did Sawyer sign, but he also put in a good word for his buddy, which led to Carter’s opportunity to join the Jackals.

“We’ve been playing together on the same team since we’ve been playing hockey, since we were 6,” Sawyer said. “We’re best friends.”

Besides, it was Sawyer’s turn in the rotation. Carter helped Sawyer land a spot on the River City roster last year.

Sawyer became an immediate presence for River City as a rookie. In 38 games, he tallied three goals and five assists. But he also amassed 260 penalty minutes.

Sawyer had the reputation as a physical player in high school, and said it was nice to graduate to the next level.

“It was nice to hit the reset button,” Sawyer said.

Sawyer certainly dropped the gloves during his first season of juniors, but said the coaches worked with him to help establish his physical game at that level.

“The coaches worked with me a lot, (said) I had the potential to be a real strong grinder,” Sawyer said.

Carter’s first season of junior hockey was cut short due to injury, but the 5-foot-10, 175-pound defenseman still had the chance to skate in 33 games. Like Sawyer, he finished with 3-5-8 totals. He also had 98 penalty minutes.

“I skated in every game I was healthy for,” Carter said.

Both players said they’re excited to live and play in a new area. The Jackals play their home games at the Bucks County Ice Sports Center in Warminster, Pa., and play in the IJHL Mid-Atlantic Division against teams from New York and New Jersey.

According to a press release on the team’s website, Sawyer and Carter are expected to add toughness to the team.

“I am looking forward to seeing some grinding toughness added to our team,” Jackals head coach and general manager Jimi Simmons said in the release. “But these players can play as well. We are looking for them to produce.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.