The Des Moines Buccaneers selected Carter Ekberg, defenseman, Esmark Stars U18 AAA, during the third round (38rd overall) of the annual USHL Draft, held on Tuesday, May 5, 2015.

Ekberg appeared in 24 regular season and playoff North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) games for the Stars during the 2014-15 season, recording 26 points (6 goals and 20 assists), including 2 power play goals, 10 power play assists, 1 shorthanded assist and 2 game winning goals in those contests.

Overall for the 2014-15 season, Ekberg tallied 48 points (8 goals and 40 assists) in 65 games, including 2 power play goals, and finished the season with a +/- rating of +26 for Esmark, helping lead the Stars to an overall record of 40-19-3-5.

During the 2013-14 season, Ekberg, appeared in 24 regular and post season North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) games for the Stars U16 team and recorded 17 points (7 goals and 10 assists), including 2 power play goals, 4 power play assists, 1 shorthanded goal and 2 game winning goals in those contests.

A senior at Peters Township High School, Ekberg was recognized by and received several honors from the NAPHL this past season.  These included: being named to the 2014-15 All-NAPHL midget major second team; named to the 2014-15 NAPHL All-Academic team (requiring student-athletes who must have achieved a minimum 3.75 GPA and certain academic standards for the 2014-15 school year); selected, along with Esmark teammates Adam Alavi and Scott Trellis, to participate in the league's Inaugural NAPHL 18U All-Star Game, held during the league's 18U Showcase in Troy, MI in January, where he recorded an assist for Team Blue; honored by the NAPHL as the first star, 18U Apex Learning Virtual School Peak Performer (Defense), for his performance in the NAPHL's league showcases in Blaine, MN, Sept. 2014 and Romeoville, IL, in Oct, 2014; and selected to participate in the 2015 NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament, where he had three assists in helping lead Team East to the Tournament Championship.

During the 2013-14 season, Ekberg was named to the All-NAPHL midget minor third team; was named to the 2013-14 NAPHL All-Academic team (requiring student-athletes who must have achieved a minimum 3.75 GPA and certain academic standards for the 2013-14 school year); was honored by the NAPHL as the second star, 16U Franklin Peak Performer (Defense), for his performance in the NAPHL's opening league showcase in Blaine, MN, in September; selected, along with Esmark teammate Kenny Dee, to participate in the league's Inaugural NAPHL All-Star Game, held during the league's third 16U Showcase at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, MN in December, where he recorded an assist in helping his Team Easton to a 6-3 win.

During the 2014 NAHL draft, Ekberg was selected by the Johnstown Tomahawks in the fourth round,  This past season, he was tendered by the Janesville Jets (NAHL).

Ekberg was of four Pittsburgh area players selected in the 2015 USHL draft.  Other Pittsburgh area players taken, included: Austin Lemieux, 9th round, 138th pick, Omaha Lancers; Luke Lynch, 15th round, 243 pick, Youngstown Phantoms; and Joe Dragonjack, 19th round, 307th pick, Youngstown Phantoms.