Four months later, Matt's life was shaken with another phone call.
This time, it was Lightning general manager Brian Lawton informing him of the trade to the Flyers. He had just gotten settled in Tampa Bay.
"When you go to a team, you don't just expect to be traded right off the jump," he said. "I figured I would at least be there for some time.
"I was traded after just 12 games and that was a shock. But looking back on it, it was a blessing in disguise."
Carle, 24, has settled in with the Flyers and has shown the promise he displayed in his rookie year in San Jose (42 points, plus-9 in 2006-07). He was a plus-2 with 24 points in 64 games with the Flyers in the regular season, and has played nearly 70 minutes of the first three games of the playoffs against Pittsburgh.
But he wasn't the only Carle to settle into a new role in November. This past year, his brother was an assistant coach with the University of Denver. He has gotten accustomed to listening and watching instead of playing - and he isn't afraid to speak up in coaches meetings.
"I'm still a student-athlete," he said. "I have the same time commitments and I am still at all of the practices. I wanted to make the most of it. It is a learning process, but it's very gratifying."
"He has handled it so well," Matt Carle said. "He has been mature way beyond his years. It doesn't surprise me though, that's just the way he is."
Skipping his high school graduation to go to the combine probably saved David Carle's life. If not, his condition would have gone undiagnosed.
"I could have been dead," he said. "But I'm incredibly thankful. I'm still supposed to live a long and healthy life. I am very lucky.
"It was a big change, but my family is thankful. They're much happier with David the person than David the hockey player."
Still 2,000 miles apart, the brothers have become closer. Like most brothers, the Carles are bonded by more than blood. They are bound by a passion.
"My story has resonated," David said. "Matt is a smart guy. He realizes that the game is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. You never know when it is going to be gone."
"I've definitely learned a lot in the past year," Matt said. "I've learned about the business side of hockey. You realize that some things are out of your control. I've learned to appreciate the game more and make the best of my situation. I'm just thankful to be here." *
