Forward Alex Carpenter is a player coming into the 2026 Olympics not only motivated but with a focus like never before. Carpenter was left off the 2018 Olympics roster and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. However, she vows to show why she belongs on the 2026 roster.
Carpenter has always been a pivotal player
Carpenter, a forward for the PWHL's Seattle Toren, was a dominant player in college for the Boston COllege Eagles of the Hockey East Association. She set a conference record with a 24-game point streak that went from October 21, 2012 through February 2, 2013.
Carpenter would then leave Boston College for the 2013-14 season to prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics and play for the American National Team. She had won a gold medal the previous season, then would go on to win gold medals in 2015, 2016, and 2017 before 2018.
She was considered one of the best female hockey player at that time and was slated to win another gold at the 2018 Olympics. However, in a surprising move, she was left off the roster. Carpenter was an Olympian at 19 years old and even played in China to showcase her talents elsewhere. She was named the best forward at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, six years after she was passed by.
When asked her opinion about the omission she replied "I think you just kind of learn to put things behind you and know that's not the end of the world," she said. "I couldn't have even imagined this in a million years. Sometimes you still can't believe that you get to do this much traveling and playing in such a great league".
"I don;t think it's worth being bitter about. It was outside my control," said Carpenter, who helped the United States win four previous world championships and a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Games. :It was decisions they made and I can't do anything about it now."
Carpenter would then return to Team USA for the 2019 world championships and help the United States win its fifth consecutive title. Since then she has won three gold medals and three silver medals. In international junior play, she has totaled 18 goals and 10 assists for 28 points in 15 games. In international senior play, she has 32 goals and 38 assists for 70 poins in 74 games.
Carpenter signed a three-year deal with New York of the PWHL, along with American teammate Abby Roque, as part of the leadues pre-draft free agency period. She now plays for the Torent and has notched five goals and four assists for nine points in 14 games.
Not making the 2018 Olympic roster may have been good for Carpenter. Although she has a different view, she has made the most of her opportunities and has a good PWHL career along with an impressive Olympic resume. Her work ethic comes from her father Bobby Carpenter, who played 18 seasons in the NHL. She is still young enough to win more gold and her team has a legit chance to medal this olympics.