Last season, Carter Hart was cool as a cucumber and confident as he started again and again for the Flyers, a season in which he killed it, while finishing with a record of 24-13-3, a 2.42 GAA, and a .914 Save Percentage. Moreover, Hart also got his first taste of NHL playoffs as he compiled a record of 9-5 with a 2.23 GAA, and a .926 Save Percentage.
You would think Hart would have been scattered-brained after his first full season in the NHL. Amidst the whirlwind end to 2018 and thunderous start to the new year in 2019, Hart was actually living in Hotel rooms, yet somehow, the rookie remained composed, claiming it’s “Part of the business.”
“I’m in a hotel, so I don’t have a pitch handy (Laughing and Giggling). I eat a to-go box (Laughing), and this season has gone by quick,” Hart stated to me in an interview in January of 2019. “It’s been a lot of fun so far. I love it here. They have a great staff, great facility. I’m having a lot of fun here.”
This kid has electrified the fan base, and Hart cemented himself as the main guy between the pipes for the orange and black for the foreseeable future. All this by wearing a unique number…#79.
It’s also unique for a young man named Connor Parkkila. Parkkila has HFA (High-Functioning-Autism), and boy does he love Hart. Connor is a great young man, and he has developed a special bond with Hart that stems from Hart’s days with the Everett Silvertips. Parkkila wore a #79 jersey at a Silvertips game in 2016, and it wasn’t soon after the Flyers gave Hart a #79 jersey at Developmental Camp that Summer of 2016. Parkkila was the first person to wear a #79 jersey with Hart’s name on it, but in this case, it was a Silvertips jersey. The two have developed a special bond ever since.
The two share text messages, and Carter texts the Parkkila’s, April (Connor’s mom), Will (Connor’s dad), and Connor all the time. This hasn’t been the easiest season for Hart, but with the support of Hart’s family and the Parkkila’s it puts things into perspective they will always have his back. They just want Carter to know that they have Carter’s back no matter what through the good times and the bad. There were some, not many, that became skeptical of Hart when the times were tough this season. However, as a matter of fact Hart is playing well now, and he looks like his old 2019-20 form again. Maybe it’s because of the support he has received from the Parkkila’s in particular (I received permission from April Parkkila to use these photos):
“They text me all the time (Choked up), so I’m texting them all the time. They texted me the picture (Connor drawing “We believe in you Carter” in the sand) it really meant a lot (Choked up). They are my biggest fans, asides from my family. They are great people, that was really cool to see.”– Carter Hart said to Jamey Baskow following the game on 4-15-21
Hart is a person unlike many athletes in Philadelphia. He will sign as many autographs as possible, give sticks to kids, meets and greets the hard-working fans of Philly, Hart just appears to be one of us. He will continue to have his ups and downs, Hart is only 22-years-old.
Some people said he wasn’t ready for the big show, while others thought he was. Hart was built for the NHL, and he really has showed fans throughout the sport why he was considered the savior of the franchise. In a tough season, Hart has plowed through little practice time, and has managed solid numbers for the month of April compiling a 1-2-2 record, 2.31 GAA, and a .910 Save Percentage.
Through all of this Hart is built as advertised. Hart’s a fine young man, that has just been flat-out good during his time in the NHL. He has been everything and then some for the Flyers organization thus far. According to Hart, the Flyers told him to become the best Goalie in the CHL. Well, he did just that as he was the CHL Goaltender of the year twice. He’s as classy as they come, and his good ole’ pal Connor Parkkila hopes to play hockey one day because of Hart.
Flyers fans Hart is the real deal, never give up on him. Special thanks to April, Will, Connor Parkkila, and Carter Hart for sharing their thoughts.
I am one of many who will always be there as a top fan and supporter. He’s a great goalie and wonderful person