The Washington Capitals’ banged up defensive group have been relying heavily on 21-year-old John Carlson in recent weeks. The young native of Natick, MA has logged at least 22 minutes per game since January 24, earning 3 assists and sporting a +3 through those ten games.
Carlson is very familiar with being a go-to player as his hockey resume is littered with examples of him being an impact performer for every team he’s skated with. Following two solid seasons with the Indiana Ice of the USHL, Carlson was drafted in the 1st round of the 2008 draft (27th overall) by the Capitals. Instead of returning to the USHL and pursuing possible college opportunities, Carlson crossed the border into Canada for a year with the London Knights of the OHL.
In his one campaign of 59 games with the Knights, Carlson posted 16 goals and 76 points… as a defenseman. It was all the OHL play Carlson needed as the Capitals quickly assigned him to the Hershey Bears for their post season run.
The 2009-10 season began with more AHL play but was eventually highlighted with his international exploits. Named an alternate captain for the US in the 2010 World Junior Championship, Carlson emerged the hero as he put home the game winning overtime goal against Canada. Truly, he was a star in what became an instant classic.
Though Carlson had a brief NHL stint before the 2010 WJC, the Capitals soon called him up after his gold medal heroics, and has become a mainstay on Washington’s blueline. Despite not in Calder Memorial contention, Carlson’s +17 is third best among rookies and his 24 points is fourth among rookie d-men. Only Cam Fowler averages more time on ice, but Fowler’s -20 is a far cry from what Carlson is doing.
Carlson is obviously coming along at great developmental pace, he plays with wisdom most players his age don’t seem to have and is certainly going to be an elite NHL defensemen in future years.
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For your viewing pleasure are John Carlson’s two goals in the 2010 WJC gold-medal game against Canada. Video is on the upper left-hand side of the page below the photo.
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