The '03 native of Lynnfield, MA is in his second season with the Railers, and over the course of 90 career games in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL), Carney has tallied 40 total points to his credit on 14 goals and 26 assists.

“To find a natural center that’s 6'4, along with his work ethic made him an EHL player right out of high school,” said Railers head coach and general manager Sean Bertoni. “He brings a 200-foot game, he’s very good in the circle, he finishes every check, he goes to the blue paint, and he’s really a complete hockey player."

Keene State College will be launching their NCAA Division III program this fall, and Carney joins a class of incoming freshmen that includes two other players from the EHL so far. When the big forward arrives on campus, he will team up with Ryan Koshiol from the East Coast Wizards, and Shane Mazur from the Connecticut Chiefs. Carney knows a key reason why he accomplished this goal was because of his decision to play for the Railers.

“The Railers are one of the best spots in the EHL,” said Carney. “Coming out of high school, I think they’ve really refined my game. I’m a different player now. The way I skate and my level of compete is not the same as it was. That’s all due to the standard of excellence that we are held to here.”

Carney was announced as captain early on in the current 2023-24 season.

“Without the 'C', I had some of the younger guys coming up and telling me how he was a mentor to them on and off the ice,” Bertoni explained. “He’s vocal, he’s personable, he has a high competitive spirit and holds his teammates accountable, which is what we want as a leader.”

Carney, who generated NCAA interest throughout the season, describes the process with Keene as being a shorter one.

“I only started talking to Keene a few weeks ago,” Carney recalled. “After their coach reached out to Coach Bertoni, a few of us went on a tour, and I liked the school. They’re a new team which is exciting. We stayed in touch and I decided it’s where I want to be next year.”

Bertoni went on to talk about his feelings on Carney's commitment. 

“He’s a smart kid," added Bertoni. "He wants the small community college experience, and the coach wanted him to be one of the first commitments for the new program. I tell our guys to go where you love and where you’re wanted. Chase is doing that.”

Carney will focus on his skating, finishing, and poise with the puck as he prepares for the college game, down the final stretch of the season.

“I think a lot of teams and coaches are going to be upset that they passed on Chase Carney,” Bertoni concluded.

With his commitment behind him, Carney believes his team is geared for a deep run, “We have a great team. We want to go as far as we can.”

Learn more about the Railers on the team's official website, and check out the full 2023-24 NCAA commitment list.