DENVER - For the first time in almost a year-and-a-half, both Matt Carle and his brother David have had a chance to settle down.

At the end of last season, we wrote about the Carle brothers' relationship. David, a rising star in his own right, was about to follow his brother as an NHL draft pick when doctors noticed an irregularity in his tests at the NHL combine in Toronto.

David was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart wall that can lead to sudden death during exercise; he was forced to quit hockey immediately. You can read more about his story at http://go.philly.com/carle.

Yesterday, the Daily News caught up with both Carles to find out how things are going. David, a sophomore at the University of Denver - the same school where Matt won hockey's Heisman, the Hobey Baker award - is a student assistant coach.

"Nothing has really changed for me, except for the fact that I'm more comfortable in my role," David Carle said. "I have been restricted from heavy exercise since Day 1, so it is frustrating, but I still get a chance to mess around on the ice every day with the team."

His brother, Matt, also has settled down. After two trades in 6 months last season, he leads the NHL in plus/minus for the Flyers. Entering last night, Carle had 14 points in 20 games.

Hailing all the way from Anchorage, Alaska, the Carles were able to spend the summer together in Minnesota. Matt and his fiancee bought a house in Minnetonka and David spent the summer with a buddy in nearby Maple Grove.

"We golfed every week," Matt Carle said. "It was great. We spent a lot of time together."

The two ate lunch together in Denver on Sunday and David attended last night's game.

Matt has been able to act as both role model and older brother for David.

"It was a different thing for him to do [to stay at Denver and coach]," Matt said. "He's learned a lot about the game from a different perspective.

"When I talk to him, it's more about being a student and enjoying college. He seems like he's having a good time. I had a blast in college; it's a great time to grow up. He needs to be able to do that, too."

David has enjoyed following in Matt's footsteps, even if it doesn't include playing for Denver's hockey program.

"He's been able to pass down some of his experiences," David said. "It's pretty cool walking where he used to walk. He is one of the huge reasons why I got to where I did."

In turn, David hasn't been surprised by Matt's climb to the top.

"He has always been an elite player," David said. "He learned some tough lessons. All summer he was excited to get back to playing and proving he belonged. The big part is that he is finally in a place where he is comfortable playing."

And now David has found that same spot.

Auditioning for a spot

 

Jared Ross and Andreas Nodl were inserted into last night's lineup, fresh off their Sunday callups from Adirondack. Filling the void left by Blair Betts and Darroll Powe, both players view these next few games as an audition to stay in the lineup until Powe and Betts are ready to return in 4 to 6 weeks.

"We're looking to take advantage of the opportunity," Ross said. "Whenever we're out there, I'm sure it will be important. Every shift we're going to go out and play as hard as we can. Hopefully we can stick as long as we can."

Last night, Ross centered Nodl and David Laliberte - a line of players who started the season in the AHL.

"I think last year was an eye opener for me," Nodl said. "[With] what I needed to work on over the summer: Get in better shape and be stronger along the walls and shoot the puck more."

Nodl notched just one goal and three assists in 38 games with the Flyers last year. What was really eye-opening, though, was his plus/minus rating of minus-15.

Flyers coach John Stevens said he would evaluate each player's game, adding that he wouldn't hesitate to make a change if these players don't fit in.

Kick saves

 

Both Chris Pronger and Claude Giroux said after yesterday's morning skate that they could notice a difference in the air at the Pepsi Center. Denver sits approximately 5,281 feet above sea level at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, sometimes making it tougher to breathe . . . Ian Laperriere is no stranger to Denver. He spent the last four seasons with the Avalanche. Yesterday he met with terminally ill children from the Denver area with whom he made a connection during his time there. He was also a part of last night's ceremonial puck drop honoring former Avs player Uwe Krupp . . . John Stevens said he has not made a decision who will start in goal tomorrow night on Long Island, as the Flyers wrap up this five-game road swing.