While in middle school, she played for a male hockey team in Bethlehem, New York. In the fall of 2007, she joined The Governor's Academy in South Byfield, Massachusetts, where she played for their varsity team as a 13-year-old. Over three years, she scored a total of 155 goals and 136 assists for 291 points.[2]
Alex recorded her 100th career point against UConn Feb 17 of her sophomore season with Boston College (BC).[4]
During her junior season (2014–15) at Boston College, Carpenter was the recipient of the 2015 Patty Kazmaier Award.[1] She was the first player in the history of the Boston College Eagles program, and the first player from the Hockey East conference to claim the award.
Professional
Carpenter was the first player drafted in the National Women's Hockey League's (NWHL) inaugural draft in 2015, selected by the New York Riveters.[5] She returned for her senior season with Boston College and her rights were traded to the Boston Pride in April 2016.[6] During the summer of 2016, Carpenter signed with the Boston Pride for a one-year, $19,500 contract, making her the highest paid player of the 2015 NWHL Draft class.[7] Playing for Team Steadman, Carpenter recorded a goal and an assist at the 2nd NWHL All-Star Game.[8] She finished the 2016–17 season as the second highest scorer in the league.[9]
After the 2018–19 CWHL season, the CWHL ceased operations, and the team joined the Women's Hockey League (ZhHL). Carpenter again chose to remain in China, citing the better facilities and player support provided by the team than what she had experienced in the NWHL, supporting the boycott of North American leagues that had led to the formation of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA).[11] She served as team captain for the 2020–21 season.
On September 8, 2023, PWHL New York announced that they had signed Carpenter to a 3 year deal, with an undisclosed salary.[12] On December 21, 2023, Carpenter and teammate Ella Shelton were named the first alternate captains in team history.[13]
International play
Carpenter playing for Team USA in 2017
Carpenter competed for Team USA under-18 in an Under-18 three-game exhibition series against Canada's best in Calgary, Alberta. She helped the US team win the 2009 Czech Challenge Cup in Prague.[14] She scored a goal for Team USA in the gold medal game of the 2010 IIHF World Women's Under 18 Championship but the team ultimately fell to Canada and had to settle for the silver medal.[15] She was the youngest girl for Team USA in the tournament at fifteen-years-old. She finished the tournament with eight goals and one assist in five games. She was tied for second in team scoring behind Kendall Coyne.[2]
Alex Carpenter was the first girl to play in the Morristown, New Jersey, Little League in 25 years (performing as a pitcher, catcher, and shortstop) and was the first girl to play as a 10-year-old.[18]
Carpenter is an out member of the LGBTQ community.[19][20] She became engaged to girlfriend Steph Klein, an assistant equipment manager with the Toronto Marlies, in January 2022.[21]
United States
