Spitfire Spotlight with Carson Woodall
Now in his third full season, defenceman Carson Woodall has been one of the major reasons the Windsor Spitfires have been flying high in the 2025-2026 Ontario Hockey League season. The 19-year-old Belle River native, who was drafted in the 10th round, 202nd overall, in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, has excelled at both ends of the ice for the Spits, whether it be while taking a regular shift or playing on the top power-play and penalty-killing units.
The 5’11” 179-lb. Slick skating and pinpoint-passing Woodall, who attended the development camp of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers as a free agent last fall, is averaging just over a point game during the 2025-2026 campaign having scored 11 goals and notching 47 assists with the Spits. He made yet another headline recently by announcing that he would be continuing both his hockey career and educational studies at Boston College starting this fall.
In Play! Magazine: “Why is Boston College the best place for you not not only continue your playing career but your educational studies?”
Carson Woodall: “It’s a great hockey program that they have there and Boston College has a winning culture. They always have a good team and the coaches are great. Boston College has a beautiful campus and it’s a very good academic school as well.”
In Play! Magazine: “What are you going to study at Boston College?”
Carson Woodall: “Some sort of business degree. I’m not too sure yet and I will have to narrow it down soon.”
In Play! Magazine: “Did you consider any other schools before deciding on Boston College?
Carson Woodall: “Yes, I made a couple of visits to other schools, but my family and I all agreed that Boston College was the right place for me.”
In Play! Magazine: “Where did you go to high school?”
Carson Woodall: “I went to four different high schools! (laughs) I went to Belle River District High School in grade nine and Everest Academy in Vaughan (Toronto) in grade ten. Then I went to A21 Academy (now Biosteel Academy at the WFCU Centre in grade 11 before finishing up at Ste Anne’s Catholic Secondary School in grade 12. I went to Everest Academy in Vaughan when my family moved so I could play for the Toronto Marlboroughs U16 AAA team.”
In Play! Magazine: “What type of student are you? How good are your grades?
Carson Woodall: “I’ve always been a low to mid eighties student, so I think that I am a good student. I’m currently taking a couple of online courses at the University of Windsor too.”
In Play! Magazine: “One of your Spitfire teammates, Anthony Cristofaro, has changed positions this season and has moved up front after playing on defence with the team for seasons. Is moving up to play forward something you want to do or would consider doing?”
Carson Woodall: “I played forward when I was younger and while Cristo has done very well after moving up front for us, things are going well for me on the back end and that is where I’m going to stay.
“Besides, we have no shortage of talented forwards.”
In Play! Magazine: “Before committing to play in the OHL, did you consider taking the U.S. College route instead?
Carson Woodall: “I did, but having the opportunity to come home and fulfill my lifelong dream of playing for the Spitfires was too good to pass up.”
In Play! Magazine: “What’s the strength of your game and your role on the Spitfires this season?”
Carson Woodall: “I’m a smart player and I have a high hockey IQ. I think my ability to pass and set my teammates up is good and my breakout passes are good too.
I think that I have gotten better defensively this season and I’m a good powerplay guy too. I take a regular shift and I’m on the special teams too so I’m out there in all game situations.”
In Play! Magazine: “There are only a few weeks and months left in your junior hockey career, does that put any extra pressure on you to perform now?
Carson Woodall: “I used to hear from older players and teammates that their junior career just flew by. I never believed it before, but now I do. I’m just trying to take everything in stride as well as I can and help the Spitfires win as much as possible this season.”