Pierre’s Grey Zabel made history earlier this year by becoming one of the few South Dakotans to be drafted to the NFL. It was a very proud moment for South Dakota, and especially for those from Pierre who saw him grow up, go onto play at NDSU and then onto the biggest stage in the NFL. Carter Sanderson, a Pierre native, made similar history this weekend when he became the very first South Dakotan to be drafted to an equally large stage going to the NHL.
Sanderson, who also grew up in Pierre, SD, was taken in the sixth round with the 169th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming not only the first Pierre native, but also the first South Dakotan to ever hear his name called in the NHL draft. Sanderson played his hockey for the Oahe Capitals in 2021-22 where he scored 26 goals before leveling up to the Sioux Falls 16U AAA team in 2023-24. Sanderson made a huge leap as a sophomore, tallying 36 goals and 73 points in 65 games for Sioux Falls Power. He surged onto recruiting radars and was selected in the fourth round of the United States Hockey League Phase II Draft by Muskegon. Sanderson would play for the USHL team the Muskegon Lumberjacks before committing to UND after they offered him a spot on the first day teams were allowed to contact players going into their junior season of high school.
His upward trajectory has reached its peak (that is, for now) as he has made it to the highest level of hockey being drafted by the Penguins. At this time, it is unsure in what capacity the team will use the 6-1, 190 pound superstar, but he has made all of his hometown proud with this incredible accomplishment. When asked about Sanderson, one Lumberjacks affiliate said Sanderson, “Plays with an identity his hometown would be proud of” and he has certainly always made his hometown proud, but never more than this moment where he has elevated to a level no one else from his state has been before.
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