Player Spotlight: Karsen Dorwart

From playing youth hockey in Portland to signing an NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, Karsen Dorwart has had an incredible journey. His love for the game started right here in Portland, where he spent countless hours watching the Winterhawks practice, dreaming of one day making it big. After playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) and Michigan State University (NCAA), his dedication and hard work have paid off with an opportunity at the professional level.

Reflecting on his time in Portland, Karsen shares:

"My time in Portland was great. It’s where I fell in love with the game and made so many friends. I remember looking up to the Winterhawks so much as a kid and my mom driving me to watch their practices after school. Wearing the same jersey as those guys when I was a kid was a treat. I have too many people to thank from my time in Portland, and especially my dad who coached me the entire time. Those are memories I will have for the rest of my life."

Read more of Karsen's interview below to learn more about his insights and journey as a player.

Q: Looking back at your time in youth hockey, what are some key lessons or skills you developed that helped you reach the NCAA and now the NHL?

A: "The biggest thing for me was having people around me who instilled a great work ethic. I was fortunate to have so many great coaches, not just in Portland but throughout my career, as well as parents who taught me the value of hard work. Ice time is obviously hard to come by in Portland, so I learned early on to make the most of my time at the rink and put in extra work at home."

Q: Your journey took you from the USHL to Michigan State before signing with the Flyers. What was that transition like at each level and how did you prepare for the next step?

A: "Every time you move up a level, you notice that guys are faster and stronger. That was the biggest adjustment for me. At each level, you also see that the best players have a different level of work ethic and daily habits that set them apart. Having a solid routine is huge if you want to maximize every day. As I transition to professional hockey, I know that I need to stick with the things that helped get me here and not try to be something I’m not."

Q: What was it like signing your first NHL contract? Can you describe that moment and what it meant to you?

A: "It was a dream come true. Playing in the NHL has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember, so having this opportunity is incredible. But now, the real work begins. I need to focus on staying here and continuing to improve. It was a special moment for me and I’m so grateful for all the people in my life who helped me get to this point. They deserve so much credit."

Q: For young players in the Jr. Winterhawks program dreaming of playing at the next level, what advice would you give them about training, mindset, and staying motivated?

A: "It sounds cliché, but my biggest piece of advice is to have fun with it. When hockey is fun, everything else becomes easier. I’ve always loved working out and shooting pucks in my free time, so extra training never felt like a chore. Nowadays with social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you’re falling behind, but that’s just unnecessary noise. I was never drafted in the WHL, USHL, NAHL, or NHL, but I focused on improving 1% every day, and it was that mindset that got me here."