By Seth Walters, griffinshockey.com

It has been a busy few years for Grand Rapids Griffins forward Carter Camper. Since turning pro in 2011, Carter has gotten married to his wife Erika in 2012, become a father to two sons, played for nine different teams, made his NHL debut with Boston and racked up more than 500 games in the AHL between the regular season and playoffs.

Juggling life between hockey and family can be difficult. Both on the ice and at home, Camper strives to be a good role model for those that look up to him.

The AHL veteran, husband and father offered his insight on hockey, family, and fatherhood earlier this week.

What does it mean to you to have a pair of young sons who are taking an interest in what you do for a living?
It’s something I always dreamed of. I’ve always dreamed of having kids and being able to bring them around the locker room, having them skate with me and just bringing them along for the ride. When I started playing, I saw some older guys do that and just kind of struck a state of my mind. I’m happy that I’m able to do it myself.

How do you balance family with hockey given your busy schedule, especially when it comes to getting back late from road trips?
Honestly, it’s become pretty easy. I love my family and I love my kids. When I’m home I try to focus all my time on them and it’s a good little escape. No matter how I play they’re always going to be there waiting for me. It’s just become a good little balance for me, I guess.

In what ways has your family supported you over your career?
They’re always sacrificing. It’s something that I think a lot of us take for granted. I’m going to say most of us are here because our parents sacrificed a lot for us whether it be money or time. For me to see how much they really do sacrifice now that I have kids, and the time it takes to raise good families is something that I will take with me and try to do that for my family as well.

What is the best memory you have with your sons?
There are too many memories. Honestly, every day brings something new. My wife and I always joke that we wish we could stop time. The kids are so much fun or so funny right now. Every day there’s something new that they learn or new that they’re able to do or new that they say and every day it gets more fun.

What are your favorite things to do while spending time with your sons?
Anything that makes them happy. There’s a lot of wrestling that goes on at our house. A lot of superheroes. A lot of fighting, battling and imagination. Now my older one (Brayden) has gotten a little bit into hockey. Bringing him to the rink, it’s fun to see how much better he can get so quickly.

After your playing days, would you want to stay involved with the game by coaching? Perhaps specifically your sons, Brayden and Wyatt?
I definitely want to get into coaching. I’ll help out with them if I can. My dad was my coach and it’s a hard thing to do. Coaching your children is tough so I give those dads credit who are able to do that. I’m not sure if I’ll coach my kids but I definitely want to get into coaching.

One skill you’ve learned over the last couple years is learning to pack U-Hauls. Since getting married in 2012, you’ve played for eight different teams and have had two kids. How have you dealt with the constant transitions?
Each place I go to I tell my wife we need to cut things in half because there’s more and more children, toys, boxes, clothes or whatever it is. It’s hardest on my wife just trying to move around and meet new friends, whether it be friends on the team or at school or around the neighborhood. Seeing how well my kids have adjusted and already in their second school from last year now this year. My older son jokes around saying when he gets old he wants to move around with his family too, but he doesn’t even know.

Being a veteran on the ice and in the locker room, do you ever put your fatherhood skills to use with this relatively young Griffins team?
You’d have to ask them. I think they understand and see where I am in my life and where they may be. I get a kick out of hearing their stories of what they’re doing, whether they get to go home and take a nap and play video games after a road trip, while I’m up at 8 o’clock playing with my kids. Just trying to be a good person, a good dad and a good husband. I try to be a good person around the rink and hopefully I can rub off on them.

Photo at top by Sam Iannamico/Griffins