D David Carle, Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS)

Seventh Round, Two-Hundred Third Overall
D David Carle, 5'11" 180 lbs, Shattuck-St. Mary's (USHS-MN)
Rankings: #60 North American CSS, #68 Overall Red Line Report, #70 Overall THN

55 GP, 10-34-44, 59 PIM

According to the Anchorage Daily News today (June 21), Carle, a University of Denver commitment and the younger brother of San Jose Sharks' defenseman Matt Carle, will have his hockey career put on hold – or most likely ended – by a heart condition. Carle told the newspaper on Friday he will no longer play the game after doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., diagnosed a heart condition that puts him at risk for sudden cardiac death if he exerts himself too strenuously. The newspaper states Carle said Mayo Clinic doctors on Thursday diagnosed him with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart that has been cited in the sudden death of young athletes.

The Daily News reports the abnormality was first detected in Carle's heart by doctors at the NHL's scouting combine in Toronto last month, prompting this week's visit to the Mayo Clinic.

On the Ice: Carle is an undersized puck-moving defenseman comparable to Colorado's Brett Clark. According to Red Line Report, Carle is a great skater with strong acceleration, good mobility, and good hockey sense. His shooting and passing skills are above average and he endears himself to coaches with his consistent play and willingness to do the little things. Denver is expected to honor his scholarship and make him a part of the Pioneer’s hockey program. Should Carle pull through his condition and resume his hockey career, the Lightning will hold his signing rights. However, this appears to be more of a reward pick of sorts to Carle by the Bolts.

Update:
Damian Crisdotero of the Times has the scoop on his blog.

"But general manager Jay Feaster said prospective new owner Oren Koules knows the family and the diagnosis might not be as severe as first believed. Besides Koules said, "The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL, and I don't see a reason he shouldn't be."