Carlo Keeping the Faith During NHL's Pause

BostonBruins.com - With the world in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, Brandon Carlo doesn't have to look far for inspiration. A small twist of his wrist is all he needs.

Several years ago, the Bruins blue liner had the phrase "live by faith, not by sight" tattooed on the outside of his right forearm, an expression he picked up from his mother, Angie, during their lengthy trips to junior hockey practices and games back home in Colorado.

In these uncertain times, it has become a verse that Carlo follows more than ever.

"It's been interesting to have the time to take a step back and recognize things with faith. To a point, I think God may be telling us to slow down a little bit in life," Carlo said during a video conference call with the media on Monday afternoon to chat about the NHL's pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"My tattoo has come into real life at this time… I've got it tattooed on my body for a reason, it's something I truly believe, something that I've been trying to focus on living by each and every day."

Carlo has also had some help. Back home in Denver to be closer to the outdoors, the 23-year-old has joined his Bruins teammates - past and present - in continuing their weekly chapel sessions with pastor Dave Ripper. During the season, the Bruins hold periodic sessions with Ripper after practice at Warrior Ice Arena and the group felt it important to keep them going during what has been an extremely difficult period.

Among the participants, according to Carlo, are Chris Wagner, Charlie McAvoy, and former Bruins Danton Heinen, David Backes, and Adam McQuaid.

"We've had some great chapel discussions lately," said Carlo. "David Backes has done a great job at setting those up…there's been a lot of questions during this time. It's obviously been a troubling time in a lot of different ways, not just in the pandemic but through the Colby Cave situation, which has been quite difficult.

"I think it's been special since I've been in Boston to have the group that we do…certain guys love hopping on. You never know what people are going through in life, so we're very appreciative to have that with our chaplain Dave Ripper.

"He does a pretty good job with us focusing on certain events and translating those things into the current moment."

In the midst of talking about the Bruins' chapel group, Carlo paused to offer his thoughts to Cave's wife and family as they deal with his passing over the weekend following emergency brain surgery.

"I'd like to just say that I'm wishing his family the best in this tragic time. It's obviously very hard," said Carlo. "He was one of the guys that when I first started coming to Development Camps, I looked up to in a way. His leadership aspects and that contagious smile made me feel comfortable around the room from Day 1. He will be missed a lot. I just want to give my best to Emily and the Cave family."

Carlo had also been dealing with a concussion before the NHL's pause, the result of an elbow from Florida's Evgenii Dadonov during Boston's 2-1 win over the Panthers on March 5, which caused him to miss two games. Fortunately, the time off has helped Carlo - who was preparing to return in Buffalo on March 13 - fully recover.

"I definitely would say I would be cleared now," said Carlo. "[Before the shutdown], I was gonna be returning that next game if everything went well with my final concussion test with the doctors and what not. Started to feel very good on the ice and off the ice, took the time to recover from that.

"Wouldn't say it was that high grade of a concussion, just got a little dazed and confused there. Right now, I feel very good at 100 percent."

After remaining at his home in Boston for a couple of weeks, Carlo, his girlfriend, Mayson, and their dogs, Winnie and Emmy Lou, traveled to their home in Colorado where there is ample room for both Carlo and his pups to get in their exercise. Carlo has also been attempting to piece together a home gym to keep in shape.

"The place in Boston was a little smaller, so it was nice to have some fresh air here in Colorado," said Carlo. "[The home gym is] coming along. I think everybody had the same mindset with buying a bunch of fitness equipment during this time, so stuff's taking a while to get here. It's finally coming along to the point where I'm getting some good workouts now.

"Our training staff has done a great job sending us stuff for bodyweight workouts and adjusting as you go along with the more equipment we've been able to get. Feel good in that regard, being strong and as prepared as I can be during this time.

"It's definitely difficult with nothing on the ice, there's no conditioning that I've been able to simulate that's like being on the ice. Will be a whole other step when the season resumes."

Video: Carlo Keeps The Faith In Media Conference Call Monday

As one of two NHLPA reps for the Bruins - defense partner Torey Krug is the other - Carlo has remained engaged in discussions between the players and the NHL as both sides continue to work through potential options should the season resume. Carlo is remaining optimistic that such plans will be necessary.

"I think as time goes by, the picture is a little bit harder to see at times," said Carlo. "[But then] I'll read an article and realize that they're brainstorming every option and then my optimism pops right back in. I think they're definitely brainstorming every option.

"From the calls that we've had with the league it's been great to hear that we're gonna work as hard as we can to establish more games this season and make that ultimate goal of awarding a Stanley Cup happen.

"I would definitely say, for myself, with the training aspect and everything, I'm trying to do my best to stay in shape because I am optimistic about the season resuming."

Carlo is also remaining hopeful that he hasn't played his last game alongside Krug on the B's second pairing.

"Obviously my first year I played with [Zdeno Chara] and grew a lot in different aspects of the game, but ever since I've been with Torey I think my game just continued to flourish and a lot of that is credit to him," said Carlo. "He gives me the confidence to be my best that I can be. Playing with him has been a lot of fun. I tell him all the time how much I enjoy it. We'll joke back and forth about just being together on a D pair and how fun it truly is.

"I love playing with him, I don't want to lose him. I've made jokes throughout the entire year that he better not leave me."

Carlo would like nothing more than to be back with Krug and all of his Black & Gold teammates in short order. It is that missing brotherhood and camaraderie that has been among the most difficult parts of this month-long hiatus.

"It's been tough for everybody," said Carlo, who noted that he received a check-in call from Chara the other day. "I think there's a lot of people that feel a little bit more lonely during this time. It makes you appreciate the aspects of your life that you don't always enjoy or appreciate during the regular routine of play.

"I think it's a good reset for all of us to realize how blessed and lucky we are to be in those situations. For me, specifically, being a part of this team is the light of my life each and every day, going to the locker room and being able to laugh and smile with the guys is something so special.

"It's unlike anything I've ever felt. It's like having 30 brothers with you every single day. I definitely miss those moments."