Gulls re-sign captain Ryan Carpenter for third season in San Diego

San Diego kept more than a veteran center when it brought back Ryan Carpenter. By signing the captain to a one-year standard player contract for the 2026-27 season, the Gulls chose continuity, structure and a daily standard for a room that will again lean on young forwards trying to find their footing in the American Hockey League.

Carpenter said re-signing was an easy decision, adding that he and his family are “blessed to call San Diego home for another year.” For a player who has worn the captain’s letter for the past two seasons, the return extends a third year in San Diego and preserves one of the franchise’s most established voices. He has become a cornerstone piece for the Gulls, and the club said he remains among its all-time leaders in points and assists.

The production has backed up the leadership. In 143 games with San Diego from 2024 to 2026, Carpenter posted 36 goals and 61 assists. He finished this season with 17 goals and 31 assists for 48 points, following a 2024-25 campaign in which he totaled 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points, his highest AHL point total since 2015-16. Those numbers matter because they show Carpenter is not simply holding a spot for younger players. He has still been driving offense while carrying the tougher responsibilities that come with being the captain.

His value spiked in the biggest moments. Carpenter was named the AHL Player of the Month for February 2025 after producing six goals, 10 assists and a plus-12 rating in 11 games. He collected points in nine straight games to start the month, scored against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on Feb. 7, 2025, buried a goal in a 5-4 overtime win at Ontario on Feb. 8, and added a three-assist night against San Jose on Feb. 16. San Diego also said he tied the AHL’s single-season record with four overtime goals last season, the kind of late-game edge that can swing standings points and playoff positioning.

General manager Rick Paterson called Carpenter an integral part of the organization’s success since arriving, pointing to his leadership on and off the ice and his role in helping the club return to the Calder Cup Playoffs this season. Carpenter brings 405 career AHL games, 34 Calder Cup Playoff games and 392 NHL games, including 17 playoff appearances and five assists for the Vegas Golden Knights during their run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. For San Diego, that mix of experience, credibility and timely scoring is the kind of retention move that can shape whether the Gulls become harder to play against next season.