John Carlson (born January 10, 1990) is an American professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice h ...

defenseman Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the latter a reference to ...

and alternate captain for the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, a ...

of the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

(NHL). He was drafted by the Capitals in the first round, 27th overall, in the

2008 NHL Entry Draft The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 20–21, 2008. The Senators were originally awarded the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, but because of ...

after playing a year in the

United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the midwestern United States, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. The USHL is strictl ...

(USHL) with the

Indiana Ice The Indiana Ice was a Tier I junior ice hockey team and member club of the United States Hockey League (USHL) that was formed in 2004 when the Danville Wings were purchased and moved from their location in Danville, Illinois, to Indianapolis, I ...

. Before reaching the NHL, Carlson played junior hockey in the

Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; french: Ligue de hockey de l'Ontario (LHO)) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 16–19. There are exceptions for overa ...

(OHL) with the

London Knights The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League. The Knights started out in 1965 as the London Nationals but changed to their cu ...

and played professionally with the Capitals'

American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental league for the National Hockey League (NHL). Since the 2010–11 season, every team in the le ...

(AHL) affiliate, the

Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears are a professional ice hockey team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a town located 14 miles east of the state capital of Harrisburg. The current Bears club has played in the American Hockey League since the 1938–39 season maki ...

. He also participated internationally for the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

in the 2010 World Juniors and 2014 Winter Olympics. Carlson won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Capitals in

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the Unit ...

, as the highest scoring defenseman during the playoffs.

Playing career

Minor and Junior

Carlson began his ice hockey career with the New Jersey Rockets Youth Hockey Organization of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. He lived near the New Jersey Rockets Organization based in

Newark, New Jersey Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.Somerset, New Jersey Somerset is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. According to Eliteprospects.com, Carlson scored 50 points in 44 games in his final year with the Rockets, earning him the 2006-07 Atlantic Junior Hockey League (AtJHL) Offensive Defenseman of the Year Award. He attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, for three years, but he only played for the high school team during his freshman year, the 2004–05 season.Hageny, John Christian. “Hockey: Where Are They Now? St. Joseph's John Carlson a Capital Investment.” Nj.com: Blogs (Newark, NJ), 2013. Access World News. Accessed 27 July 2020. In 21 games with St. Joseph, Carlson registered 12 goals and 19 points. Carlson attended Cathedral High School in Indianapolis for his senior year while he played juniors for the Indiana Ice of the USHL.Kravitz, Bob. “Kravitz: Former Ice Player Making Impact in Olympics.” The Indianapolis Star, INI, 15 Feb. 2014, www.indystar.com/story/sports/2014/02/15/kravitz-former-ice-player-making-impact-in-olympics/5511425/. Carlson played a full season in the USHL with the Ice in 2007–08, scoring 12 goals and 43 points in 59 games, earning him the USHL's second All-Star team and All-Rookie team honors. After a productive rookie season in the USHL, Carlson was drafted in the first round, 27th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2008 NHL entry draft.Burnside, Scott. “How the Capitals' John Carlson Became the Best Defenseman in...” The Athletic, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2020, www.theathletic.com/1516862/2020/01/09/how-the-capitals-john-carlson-became-the-best-defenseman-in-the-nhl/.“John Carlson Captures Calder Cup Title.” Ontario Hockey League, 15 June 2009, www.ontariohockeyleague.com/john-carlson-captures-calder-cup-title/. Carlson was originally committed to play college hockey for the

University of Massachusetts The University of Massachusetts is the five-campus public university system and the only public research system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The university system includes five campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and a medical ...

, but signed to play for the London Knights of the OHL after being drafted by them in the 2nd round of the 2008 OHL draft. During the

2008–09 OHL season The 2008–09 OHL season was the 29th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2008 and concluded on March 15, 2009. The OHL inaugurated the Mickey R ...

, Carlson notched 76 points, including 16 goals, helping the Knights secure the Midwest Division Title. During the playoffs, Carlson scored another 22 points in 14 games, advancing to the Western Conference Finals. His efforts during the OHL season helped him make the OHL second All-Star team, the OHL first All-Rookie team, and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) All-Rookie team.

Professional

Washington Capitals

Carlson made his professional debut for the Capitals' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, on May 2, 2009, in a

Calder Cup The Calder Cup is the trophy awarded annually to the playoff champions of the American Hockey League. It was first presented in 1937 to the Syracuse Stars. The cup is made of sterling silver mounted on a base of Brazilian mahogany. In its cur ...

playoff game against the

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the AHL affiliates of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barr ...

. The following night, he scored his first professional goal in Game 2 of the series. Carlson played a total of 16 games for the Bears that postseason, helping them become the 2009 Calder Cup Champions. John Carlson and Cedrick Desjardins (4295054014)

John Carlson and Cedrick Desjardins (4295054014)

Carlson made his NHL debut for the Capitals on November 21, 2009, against the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

. On January 21, 2010, Carlson was recalled by the Capitals. On March 25, 2010, Carlson scored his first NHL goal, against

Manny Legace Emmanuel Legace (born February 4, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender, who played most notably in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, and later the St. Louis Blues. Legace also enjoyed spells with the Lo ...

of the

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ...

. In Game 2 of the Capitals' 2010 Stanley Cup playoff first-round series against the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

, Carlson scored his first NHL playoff goal, tying the game with just over one minute to play in regulation. After the Capitals' elimination in the playoffs, Carlson rejoined the Hershey Bears in their playoff campaign and scored the game- and

-winning goal in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Final against the

Texas Stars The Texas Stars are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin, with home games at the H-E-B Center. They are owned by the National Hockey League's (NHL) Dallas Stars and are the ...

. On September 14, 2012, Carlson signed a six-year, $23.8 million contract extension with the Capitals. John Carlson 2016-04-07 1

Carlson's 2015–16 season was interrupted by an injury that limited to him playing just 56 regular season games, ending his streak of playing in all 82 regular season games every season for the Capitals from the 2010–11 season to the 2014–15 season. Carlson was injured in late December 2015, and his injury emerged again throughout the second half of the 2015–16 season. Despite the injury, Carlson scored 39 points by the end of the regular season. During the 2017–18 season, the last year of his contract, Carlson had a career year, putting up career numbers in goals and assists. He played in all 82 games during regular season, and his success helped push the Capitals to the 2018 playoffs. At the conclusion of the regular season, Carlson led NHL defensemen in points with 68 and became the first Capitals defenseman since Mike Green in the 2009–10 season to score 60 points in a season. Carlson's 2017-18 campaign ended with a Stanley Cup victory and a fifth-place finish in

Norris Trophy The James Norris Memorial Trophy, or simply the Norris Trophy, is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". It is named after Ja ...

voting.Pell, Samantha. "Capitals Defenseman John Carlson Named Norris Trophy Finalist."ProQuest, Jul 20, 2020.Pell, Samantha. "Capitals Name Defenseman John Carlson an Alternate Captain."ProQuest, Oct 01, 2019. On June 24, 2018, having just won the Stanley Cup with Washington, Carlson signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with the Capitals. Returning to the Washington lineup after an injury for a November 11, 2018, for a game against the

Arizona Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mul ...

, Carlson skated in his 623rd career game as a defenseman, passing Sylvain Côté for sixth place in games played for the Capitals. He had missed one game with a lower-body injury announced on November 9, 2018. Carlson ended his 2018–19 season with 13 goals and 70 points in 80 games. He finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting, behind

Victor Hedman Victor Erik Olof Hedman (; born 18 December 1990) is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hedman was selected second overall by the Lightning in the ...

Brent Burns Brent Burns (born March 9, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted as a right wing (20th overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, he wa ...

, and

Mark Giordano Mark Giordano (; born October 3, 1983) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He also previously played with the Calgary Flames for fifteen seasons, where he was the tea ...

. Carlson also made his first all star appearance this season. Prior to the start of the 2019–20 season, the Capitals named Carlson as an alternate captain, filling the void created by defenseman

Brooks Orpik Richard Brooks Orpik (born September 26, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). A stay-at-home defenseman and locker ...

's retirement. On December 4, 2019, he netted his 100th career NHL goal against the

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

, his 10th of the season. During the 2019–20 season, Carlson surpassed the 70 point mark for the second year in a row, leading all defensemen in the league in points for the second season in a row with 75 in 69 games. His play led to his second all star selection, as well as being named a finalist in Norris Trophy voting along with Victor Hedman and

Roman Josi Roman Josi (born 1 June 1990) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Josi was drafted 38th overall by the Predators in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. In 2019–20, J ...

International play

Junior

Carlson was an alternate captain for the

in the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. On January 5, 2010, he scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the gold medal game as part of a two-goal effort to defeat

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

6–5. Carlson finished the tournament with 7 points in 7 games. Additionally, he was named to the tournament's all-star team. In December 2010, Carlson was named to NHL.com's All-Time World Junior Championship team.

Olympics

On January 1, 2014, Carlson was named to the U.S. roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. On February 13, 2014, he scored the Americans' first goal of the tournament, at 15:27 of the first period of the nation's opening match against

Slovakia Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...

. His goal was scored on his first shot in the tournament, giving him consecutive goals on shots in international play for the U.S. In a total of 6 games with Team USA, Carlson put up a goal and an assist.

Personal life

Carlson was born in Natick, Massachusetts, and lived in Marlborough, Massachusetts. His family moved to the Colonia section of

Woodbridge Township, New Jersey Woodbridge Township is a township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is both a regional hub for Central New Jersey and a major bedroom suburb of New York City in the New York metropolitan area located within the ...

, when he was five years old. Carlson has an older brother, Andrew, whom he played high school hockey with for one season. Carlson is of Swedish descent on his father's side and Italian on his mother's. On September 6, 2014, Carlson married his long-time girlfriend Gina Nucci, and in June 2015, they had their firstborn child, a son named Lucca. They had their second child, a boy named Rudy, in May 2018. The couple welcomed their third child, a boy named Sawyer, in November of 2020.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Carlson, John 1990 births American men's ice hockey defensemen American people of Swedish descent Hershey Bears players Ice hockey players from Massachusetts Ice hockey players from New Jersey Indiana Ice players Living people National Hockey League first-round draft picks Olympic ice hockey players of the United States Ice hockey players at the 2014 Winter Olympics People from Natick, Massachusetts People from Woodbridge Township, New Jersey Sportspeople from Middlesex County, Massachusetts Sportspeople from Middlesex County, New Jersey St. Joseph High School (Metuchen, New Jersey) alumni Washington Capitals draft picks Washington Capitals players Stanley Cup champions