Former Pilot Mound Hockey Academy and current Prince George Cougars defenseman Carson Carels has been named the November CSSHL WHL Alumni Player of the Month.

During November Carels tallied 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 15 games to give him 6 goals and 20 assists in 25 games on the season. Carels recently competed for Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in preparation for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft where he is expected to be a first round pick.

The Cypress River, MB defender joined the CSSHL for the 2021/22 U15 Prep season where he recorded 19 points in 26 games with Pilot Mound. The following U15 Prep season he would tally 32 points in 20 games as he was named a CSSHL Prairie Division Second Team All-Star. The Cougars would then select Carels in the first round, 15th overall at the 2023 WHL Draft.

Carels would play for the Pilot Mound U17 Prep team during the 2023/24 CSSHL season, leading all defensemen with 18 goals, 32 assists and 50 points in 27 games. Carels would be named the CSSHL U17 Prep Tier II MVP, Top Defenseman and a First Team All-Star.

Carels would make the jump to the WHL for the 2024/25 season finishing with 35 points in 60 games. He would add four points in four games with Team Canada Red at the U17 World Hockey Challenge, capturing a silver medal. He would also add a U18 World Juniors gold medal, recording one point in seven games with Team Canada.