Carter Mazur Bio
Carter Mazur (born March 28, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Mazur played college ice hockey for the Denver Pioneers before signing his first professional contract. He was selected 70th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in March 2025.
Early Life and Background
Carter Mazur was born on March 28, 2002, in Jackson, Michigan, United States. Growing up in Michigan, Mazur developed his passion for hockey at a young age. He played youth hockey in his home state before advancing to higher levels of competition. His dedication to the sport and natural talent on the ice positioned him as a promising prospect heading into his collegiate career.
Mazur attended the University of Denver, where he played for the Denver Pioneers collegiate hockey team. His time at Denver helped him develop into a complete player and catch the attention of NHL scouts. The university has a strong hockey tradition and provided Mazur with excellent coaching and competition experience.
Path to Professional Hockey
Prior to his collegiate career, Mazur established himself as a skilled forward during his draft-eligible years. His performance at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships brought significant recognition, as he represented the United States and led the team in scoring with five goals and two assists in five games. His seven points ranked him tied for second overall in tournament goals, showcasing his ability to perform on the international stage.
Mazur’s draft year culminated in being selected 70th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Red Wings identified him as a promising young talent with potential to develop into a reliable professional player. Following his selection, Mazur continued his development at Denver before turning professional.
Carter Mazur Career
College Career with Denver Pioneers (2021–2023)
Mazur began his collegiate career for the Denver Pioneers during the 2021–22 season. In his freshman year, he recorded 14 goals and 21 assists in 41 games, finishing tied for fifth on the team in scoring with 38 points. He led all Denver freshmen in scoring and ranked second among all NCAA freshmen, trailing only Luke Hughes with 39 points. Following the season, he was named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team and received NCHC Rookie of the Year honors.
During his sophomore season in 2022–23, Mazur served as an alternate captain for the Pioneers. On October 28, 2022, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a game against Miami University. Mazur led the team in goals with 22, while also leading in power play goals with eight, game-winning goals with six, and shots on goal with 131. His 22 goals tied for fifth in the entire NCAA. For his performance, he was named to the All-NCHC Second Team and earned AHCA West Second Team All-American recognition. He completed his collegiate career with 75 points in 81 games over two seasons.
Professional Career with Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings (2023–Present)
On March 28, 2023, Mazur signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. He was subsequently assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, on an amateur tryout agreement to begin his professional development. The signing marked his transition from collegiate hockey to the professional ranks, joining an organization with deep Michigan roots.
Mazur began the 2024–25 season with the Griffins and recorded eight goals and seven assists in 20 games before suffering an upper-body injury. He was sidelined from October 19, 2024, through January 18, 2025. Upon his return, Mazur continued his strong AHL performance. On March 6, 2025, he was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings and made his NHL debut that same day in a game against the Utah Hockey Club. He played on the fourth line alongside Tyler Motte and Jonatan Berggren, seeing two shifts before leaving the game due to an upper-body injury. The debut represented a milestone moment in his professional career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Mazur plays the left wing position and shoots right. His offensive instincts and scoring ability stand out as primary strengths, evidenced by his prolific collegiate production and international success. He demonstrated versatility at Denver, excelling on the power play and in clutch situations with six game-winning goals in his sophomore season. His ability to create scoring opportunities and shoot effectively (131 shots in 2022–23) showcases his willingness to drive play toward the net.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Mazur achieved several significant milestones early in his career. His NCHC Rookie of the Year award in 2022 highlighted his immediate impact at the collegiate level. The hat-trick against Miami in October 2022 provided an early signature moment. His international performance at the 2022 World Juniors, where he led Team USA in scoring, established him as a player capable of excelling under pressure. His NHL debut on March 6, 2025, marked the culmination of his development pathway from draft pick to professional.
Carter Mazur Career Statistics
Mazur built impressive statistics during his two collegiate seasons with Denver, recording 75 total points across 81 games. He combined for 36 goals and 39 assists during his time with the Pioneers. His 22-goal sophomore season ranked among the top performances in all of college hockey.
College Statistics Highlights
Over his collegiate career, Mazur averaged nearly a point per game with 75 points in 81 appearances. In his rookie season, he posted 38 points in 41 games, ranking second among all NCAA freshmen. His follow-up campaign saw him improve to 37 points in 40 games while serving as alternate captain. His plus-minus rating and two-way play improved significantly from his first to second year, reflecting his development into a more complete player.
Professional Statistics
Prior to his NHL debut, Mazur appeared in 20 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2024–25 season, recording eight goals and seven assists. He made his NHL debut on March 6, 2025, with Detroit.
International Statistics
At the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Mazur represented the United States and recorded five goals and two assists in five games. His seven points led Team USA in scoring, and his five goals ranked tied for second overall among all tournament participants.
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA (Denver Pioneers) | 81 | 36 | 39 | 75 |
| AHL (Grand Rapids Griffins) | 20 | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| NHL (Detroit Red Wings) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| World Juniors (USA) | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
Carter Mazur Family
Family Background
Publicly available information regarding Carter Mazur’s family background and personal relationships remains limited. The available biographical sources do not provide verified details about his parents, siblings, or extended family lineage. As a young professional athlete still early in his career, Mazur has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the ice.
Personal Life
Mazur resides in Michigan during the hockey season while playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins and Detroit Red Wings organization. He continues to pursue his professional hockey career following his path from Jackson, Michigan, through the University of Denver, and into the NHL system. His focus remains on his development as a professional player within the Red Wings organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season represented a year of both challenges and significant milestones for Mazur. He began the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and posted eight goals and seven assists in his first 20 AHL games, demonstrating his offensive capabilities at the minor-league level. However, an upper-body injury sustained on October 19, 2024, sidelined him for nearly three months until his return on January 18, 2025.
Following his recovery, Mazur resumed his strong play with the Griffins, which earned him a recall by the Detroit Red Wings on March 6, 2025. That same day, he made his NHL debut against the Utah Hockey Club, suiting up on the fourth line with Tyler Motte and Jonatan Berggren. Though his debut was cut short after two shifts due to an upper-body injury, the experience marked a pivotal moment in his professional trajectory. The Red Wings organization continues to view Mazur as a prospect with long-term potential, and his development remains ongoing as he works toward establishing himself at the NHL level.