Daniel Brière traded the 36th and 68th overall picks to the Seattle Kraken, moving backward from 36th to 38th but forward from 68th to 57th. In the process of doing so, the Kraken selected Blake Fiddler.
That left Philadelphia with Amico. He’s 6’5″ and 220lbs. Amico is a physical, defensive defenseman who doesn’t get enough credit for his skating, especially for his size.
“Being 6’5″ and having my frame, I try to use that toward my advantage the most.” – Carter Amico; 6/28/2025
Last season, in 13GP with the US National U18 Team, Amico tallied 3A. Amico missed most of 2024-2025, out with a knee injury. Had he competed the complete season, he might’ve gone sooner or would’ve received a better projection amongst draft scouts. Overall, Amico was a late second-round projection. Brière took Amico early in the second round, betting he could return to form before he suffered the knee injury.
“[A] super frustrating year, only thirteen games played, but [I] had to control what I can control off the ice and get better in every way I could. Rehab’s been great. [I’ve] been doing PT four days a week and I get back on the ice next week for the first time.” – Carter Amico; 6/28/2025
A commit to Boston University, Amico will join Jack Murtagh and Owen McLaughlin. Defensively speaking, Amico will join Haoxi Wang (San Jose Sharks), Charlie Trethewey (Pittsburgh Penguins), Aiden Celebrini (Vancouver Canucks), and Gavin McCarthy (Buffalo Sabres). Amico feels he’s in a ‘good spot,’ and ‘ready to play’ after recovering from his knee injury. It’s been seven months since he’s been on the ice.
This shift from Carter Amico (6'5" RD, #57 in white) is very fun.
The 2025 draft-eligible flashes his handling ability, mobility, physicality, and willingness to jump up to not only support but lead the rush.
Amico models his game from Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic. Amico cites Jones due to his two-way defense. Amico worked hard on his overall defense, including the penalty kill. Vlasic is another defensive defenseman model, citing his edges while skating.
“My tools, I got a lot of them. They need to be sharpened more. My puck play is one of my strengths but also one of my weaknesses. It could be more consistent throughout my year. That being said, I only played thirteen games, but even in those thirteen games, I could’ve seen better consistency.” – Carter Amico; 6/28/2025
There’s a lot to like about Amico, particularly the way he uses his range and size to eliminate the middle of the ice. In the defensive zone, he’ll clear the porch for the goaltending, which will go a long way due to Brière not opting to select a goaltender in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
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