Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Carter akaita nyanzvi yake yekutanga muna 1996-1997, achigovana nguva yake neCapitals uye yavo American Hockey League (AHL) yakabatana, iyo Portland Pirates, vasati vatengeswa kuBoston Bruins musi waKurume 1, 1997. Sechikamu chechibvumirano chakakura, Carter akatumirwa naJason Allison, Jim Carey, chisarudzo chakatarwa mu1998 draft
uye wechitatu-kutenderera kusarudzwa muna 1997 kunyorwa kuBruins mukutsinhana naAdam Oates, Bill Ranford naRick Tocchet.