VIDEO: Connor Carrick Talks Calder Cup Finals, Returning To Hershey & More

HERSHEY, Pa. - It's not quite 'The Rematch' for Coachella Valley Firebirds defenseman Connor Carrick, but a chance to play for a championship in Hershey against the organization where his pro career began is still one that will create life-long memories.

A veteran of 242 NHL games and 350 AHL games, not to mention Sunday's Game 2 will be Carrick's 50th Calder Cup Playoffs game in his pro career, Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma said Carrick is a calming presence alongside second year pro and rising star Ryker Evans.

"We like the energy of our team. We like the jam of our team. And a lot of it comes from Connor Carrick," Bylsma said of the veteran defender. "He's a character in the room, and he's a character on the ice."

Bylsma also said Carrick does a good job of keeping things going in the right direction off the ice and in the locker room, engaging with teammates and not afraid to joke around to keep things light.

"We got good people in a lot of different spots and that makes us a good team, and Connor is a big part of that."