Despite being known as an underacheiver in his playing days, Greg Carroll had numerous go-rounds with the Whalers, who were tantalized by his potential, but ultimately disappointed in his play.
The Whalers optimism in Carroll was understandable after his productive junior career.
The line of Don Murdoch, Greg Carroll, and Morris Lukowich was unstoppable in Medicine Hat (WCHL). Carroll tallied 171 points (60 goals and 111 assists), good enough to be drafted by the Washington Capitals 15th overall in the 1976 NHL draft.
Although he was drafted by Washington in 1976, he chose to start his pro hockey life in the WHA with the Cincinnati Stingers and scored 15 goals as a rookie in 1976-77. He was then traded to the Whalers in 1978 along with Bryan Maxwell for the rights to Mike Liut. He was traded back to Cincinnati at mid-season in exchange for Ron Plumb.
After brief NHL stints with Washington and Detroit, Carroll rejoined the Whalers in 1979 in their maiden voyage in the NHL.
Carroll retired in 1980 after playing a few games in the AHL.
In the summer of 1980 Greg was arrested together with 20 other persons in a series of raids by drug squad detectives who had been attempting to break up cocaine rings in Edmonton. The police netted more than $500,000 worth of cocaine. Greg was released on bail but had to do time in jail on a charge of possessing narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Greg Carroll Transactions: Selected by Cincinnati (WHA) in 1976 WHA Amateur Draft, June, 1976. Traded to New England (WHA) by Cincinnati (WHA) with Bryan Maxwell for the rights to Mike Liut, May, 1977. Traded to Cincinnati (WHA) by New England (WHA) for Ron Plumb, February, 1978. Signed as a free agent by Washington after being released by Cincinnati (WHA), September 21, 1978. Claimed on waivers by Detroit from Washington, January 6, 1979. Signed by Hartford as a free agent, October 30, 1979.
