Carter Mazur Bio
Carter Mazur (born March 28, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey player who currently skates 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). A forward with a strong scoring touch, Mazur played college ice hockey at the University of Denver before turning professional. He was selected 70th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is widely regarded as one of the more promising young forwards in the Red Wings organization.
Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing 78 kilograms, Mazur built his reputation as a reliable goal-scorer during his time with the Denver Pioneers and on the international junior stage. After completing his collegiate career, he signed an entry-level contract with Detroit and has continued his development within the franchise’s farm system.
Early Life and Background
Carter Mazur was born on March 28, 2002, in Jackson, Michigan, in the United States. Growing up in a region with a strong hockey tradition, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and developed through local youth programs in Michigan. His early exposure to competitive hockey helped shape the work ethic and offensive instincts that would later define his career.
As a young prospect, Mazur progressed through the United States Hockey Development Model, earning recognition as a skilled forward with a powerful shot and strong two-way awareness. His performances at the junior level attracted attention from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) programs, ultimately leading him to commit to the University of Denver, one of the most storied college hockey programs in the country.
Path to Hockey
Mazur’s journey toward professional hockey accelerated when he joined the Denver Pioneers ahead of the 2021–22 season. In his freshman year, he made an immediate impact, recording 14 goals and 21 assists in 41 games. He led all Denver freshmen in scoring and finished tied for fifth on the team overall with 38 points. His production placed him second among all NCAA freshmen that season, trailing only Luke Hughes, who finished with 39 points. Following the year, Mazur was named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team and was honored as the NCHC Rookie of the Year.
On the international stage, Mazur represented the United States at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he led the team in scoring with five goals and two assists in five games. His five goals ranked tied for second overall during the tournament, further establishing his reputation as an elite young American forward and strengthening his profile ahead of his draft year.
Carter Mazur Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
During his sophomore season with the Denver Pioneers in 2022–23, Mazur was named an alternate captain on September 22, 2022, reflecting the trust the coaching staff placed in his leadership. He responded with another strong campaign, recording 22 goals and 15 assists in 40 games. On October 28, 2022, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a game against Miami, a milestone that highlighted his finishing ability.
Mazur led the Pioneers in goals (22), power play goals (8), game-winning goals (6), and shots (131). His 22 goals tied for fifth in the NCAA, and he was recognized with selections to the All-NCHC Second Team and the AHCA West Second Team All-American. Across two collegiate seasons, he finished with 75 points in 81 games, cementing his status as one of the top forwards in college hockey.
Professional Breakthrough (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 Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, on an amateur tryout to begin his professional career. The transition to the AHL allowed him to refine his game against older and more experienced opponents while remaining within the Detroit organization.
Mazur began the 2024–25 season with the Griffins, recording eight goals and seven assists in 20 games. He was sidelined from October 19, 2024, to January 18, 2025, with an upper-body injury. On March 6, 2025, Mazur was recalled by the Red Wings and made his NHL debut later that day in a game against the Utah Hockey Club. He played on the fourth line alongside Tyler Motte and Jonatan Berggren before leaving the game due to an upper-body injury, marking his first taste of NHL action.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mazur is recognized for his scoring instincts, powerful shot, and willingness to play in all situations. His ability to produce game-winning goals and power play tallies at the college level demonstrated a mature offensive game for his age. As he continues to develop at the professional level, his combination of finishing skill and two-way responsibility makes him a valuable forward prospect within the Detroit Red Wings system.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Mazur’s first career hat-trick against Miami on October 28, 2022, stands out as a defining moment of his college career. His NHL debut on March 6, 2025, against the Utah Hockey Club marked another major milestone, representing the culmination of years of development from Jackson, Michigan, to the highest level of professional hockey.
Carter Mazur Career Wins
While individual win totals vary across leagues and formats, Carter Mazur has consistently been a productive goal-scorer throughout his career. He has notched key victories in college hockey, including game-winning goals that helped the Denver Pioneers secure important conference wins, and has contributed offensively for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL.
College and International Highlights
During his time at Denver, Mazur recorded 36 goals and 36 assists in 81 collegiate games, including a sophomore campaign in which he tallied 22 goals and six game-winners. At the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, he led the United States in scoring and ranked tied for second in the tournament with five goals, contributing to one of the strongest individual performances by an American player at that event.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Mazur has continued to produce offensively for the Grand Rapids Griffins, recording eight goals and seven assists in 20 games during the early portion of the 2024–25 season before his NHL recall. His selection as NCHC Rookie of the Year and his AHCA West Second Team All-American honor further highlight his consistent excellence across competitive levels.
Carter Mazur Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Carter Mazur was raised in Jackson, Michigan, where he developed his passion for hockey through local youth programs. Specific details about his parents and family background are not publicly documented in available sources, though his hometown roots in Michigan helped shape his path toward the sport.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Mazur has remained focused on his professional development since signing with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023. Public information regarding his spouse, children, or other personal relationships is not available at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Carter Mazur entered the 2024–25 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he quickly established himself as a reliable offensive contributor with eight goals and seven assists in 20 games. An upper-body injury sidelined him from October 19, 2024, to January 18, 2025, but he returned to form and continued producing for the Griffins upon his recovery.
On March 6, 2025, Mazur received his NHL recall and made his debut with the Detroit Red Wings against the Utah Hockey Club. Although his first NHL appearance was cut short by another upper-body injury, the recall itself represented a significant step in his professional trajectory and signaled the organization’s continued confidence in his development.
Looking ahead, Mazur remains under contract with the Detroit Red Wings through the 2025–26 season and is expected to continue splitting time between the NHL and AHL as he works toward establishing a full-time role with the Red Wings. His combination of scoring ability and professional approach positions him as a forward to watch within the Detroit system in 2025 and beyond.