Captain Carpenter Signs with San Diego for 2026-27
May 15, 2026
By Ashley Rubin/San DiegoGulls.com
The captain is back.
The Gulls signed Ryan Carpenter to a one-year standard player contract today, extending him for a third season in San Diego.
"Re-signing with the Gulls was an easy decision," Carpenter said. "My family and I are blessed to call San Diego home for another year. Thank you to the fans for their support and loyalty over the past two seasons. I’m excited to be back on the ice at Pechanga come October and continue to improve and build with this group."
Carpenter has appeared in 143 regular-season and two playoff games with San Diego. He has posted a total of 36-61=97 points and 61 PIM in his two years with the team, ranking top 10 in both points and goals among all-time Gulls skaters. The forward has skated in a total of 405 AHL games, tallying 104-173=277 points, 173 PIM, and a +26 rating.
The 2025-26 season was pivotal for the Gulls, with Carpenter leading the way as the team made their first Calder Cup Playoffs appearance since the 2021-22 season. He ended the season with 17-31=48 points, ranking third amongst all Gulls skaters in his 71 games played. He co-led all Gulls skaters in power-play goals with seven, ranked third in goals, and fourth in assists. Carpenter hit some personal milestones as he appeared in his 400th career AHL game and found his 100th career AHL goal. Although San Diego did not go as far as they would have hoped in the playoffs, the team set a goal to make it there and accomplished that feat.
"We are excited to bring Ryan back for next season," Gulls general manager Rick Paterson said. "Ryan has been an integral part of our success since arriving in San Diego. He exemplifies incredible leadership both on and off the ice and was a key figure in helping us back into the Calder Cup Playoffs this season."
Throughout his hockey career, Carpenter has shown what it takes to lead a team. The 35-year-old took on his first leadership position back in 2010, serving as captain for the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. He has gone on to wear a letter in five more seasons between the NCAA and AHL. That leadership helped the Gulls develop one of the closest locker rooms they have ever had, which has been attributed to as part of the reason the team found so much success this year.
"It’s a close team," Carpenter said. "Guys have fun together. I definitely feel older than everybody here and so it keeps me young. In the case of a 72-game season, it’s a grind and there’s times when your body’s not feeling it. I think when you have guys that care for each other, that have fun together and laugh together, it can help you win games in this league."
The impact Carpenter has made on the Gulls does not go unnoticed. His abilities as both a player and leader have made the team more successful and could help them go further than ever this upcoming season.