Updated: Carlson talks baseball, training camp and recent hockey tragedies

after throwing out first pitch - See story here.

John Carlson to throw Ceremonial First Pitch at

Washington Nationals game on Thursday, Sept. 8

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch at the Washington Nationals game on Thursday, Sept. 8. Carlson will throw the first pitch prior to the Nationals game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is slated to begin at 1:05 p.m.

John Carlson was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team following his first full campaign in the league, matching a single-season Capitals franchise record for the most points by a rookie defenseman with 37. He finished 2010-11 leading all NHL rookie defensemen in ice time (22:38), was ranked third in plus/minus (+21), fourth in points (37), third in assists (30) and tied for fourth in goals (7). He led the team and all NHL rookies in blocked shots (160) during the regular season and finished second among rookies in playoff ice time (24:23).

Carlson was born in Natick, Mass. but spent most of his childhood in New Jersey. He was the Capitals’ first-round choice, 27th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.

NHL ANNOUNCES 2010-11 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

LAS VEGAS (June 22, 2011) -- The National Hockey League today announced the 2010-11 NHL All-Rookie Team, including the three players named as finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the League's top rookie: forwards Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks, Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders and Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Also named to the All-Rookie Team are goaltender Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks and defensemen John Carlson of the Washington Capitals and P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens.

Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season. Following is a summary of each NHL All-Rookie Team member's outstanding season:

GOALTENDER

Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Crawford's season got rolling with a streak of eight consecutive decisions without a loss (7-0-1) from Nov. 14 through Dec. 11. He compiled a 176:09 shutout streak from Jan. 7-15, the longest by a Blackhawks netminder since Tony Esposito from Jan. 16-30, 1972. He tied Blackhawks rookie record with eight straight wins from Feb. 20 - Mar. 5 and earned his 30th win of the season on March 28 at Detroit, becoming the second Blackhawks goaltender to reach the milestone since 1994.

DEFENSEMEN (in alphabetical order)

John Carlson, Washington Capitals

Carlson stepped up to a top shutdown role on the Capitals blueline in 2010-11. He logged the most ice time of any Capitals defenseman, appearing in all 82 games with an average 22:38 per contest. His +21 rating ranked first among all rookie defensemen. With a pair of assists on Apr. 2 vs. Buffalo, Carlson matched a single-season franchise record for most points by a rookie defenseman (37), a mark shared by Robert Picard (1977-78) and Greg Theberge (1981-82).

P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

With the Montreal blueline decimated by injuries, Subban's all-rookie performance was crucial to the Canadiens' success in 2010-11. He led all Canadiens defensemen in scoring with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists), including a team-leading nine power-play goals. Subban led the Canadiens in ice time in January (23:50), was tops in scoring in February (T-nine) and first in goals in March (T-five), including a hat trick at Minnesota Mar. 20 -- the first three-goal game by a rookie defenseman in franchise history.


FORWARDS (in alphabetical order)

Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

Couture was a key contributor in all areas on a Sharks team that captured its fourth consecutive Pacific Division title. The 22-year-old center ranked second on San Jose in goals (32), game-winning goals (eight) and plus-minus (+18); placed third in shots (253) and face-offs (888); fourth in power-play goals (10) and sixth in points (56). He led all rookies in game-winning goals, power-play goals, shots and face-offs, finished second in goals and points and was fifth in plus-minus. The Sharks' first-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft tallied seven of his game-winning goals on the road, the most ever by an NHL rookie.

Michael Grabner, New York Islanders

Grabner didn't start the season with the Islanders, but ended it as the club's goals leader with 34, a total that also led NHL rookies. Claimed on waivers from Florida on Oct. 5, Grabner surged near the top of the rookie scoring race with a run of 16 goals in 15 games from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, a period also highlighted by a first-place finish in the Fastest Skater event at the 2011 NHL SuperSkills. His six-game goal streak from Feb. 1-15 matched the longest by any player this season. The 23-year-old Villach, Austria native led all rookies in shorthanded goals (six), ranked second in shots (228) and seventh in plus-minus (+13).

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes reaped immediate dividends from their top pick in the 2010 Entry Draft as the 18-year-old Skinner, selected seventh overall last June, led all rookies in scoring as the League's youngest player. His performance over the first half of the season earned him a berth in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, played in front of a hometown crowd in Raleigh. He went on to lead all rookies in points (63), rank second in assists (32) and third in goals (31). Skinner netted his 30th goal of the season Apr. 6 against Detroit, becoming the seventh-youngest player in NHL history to reach the milestone (18 years, 325 days).


2010-2011 NHL All-Rookie Team
                                                                     GP  W    L   OT   GA    SV% SO
G   Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks          57  33   18  6     2.30   .917   4

                                                                     GP   Mins.    G    A   Pts
D   John Carlson, Washington Capitals              82   22:38     7    30   37
D   P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens                77   22:16    14   24   38
F   Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks                 79   17:49    32   24   56
F   Michael Grabner, New York Islanders           76   15:04    34   18   52
F   Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes                 82   16:43    31   32   63

NBC Washington's Lindsey Czarniack caught up with Caps Defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson for a recent "Lunch with Lindsey."

AUTOGRAPH OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPS FANS!

Ovi, Carlson, Brooksie and Neuvy will be heading out to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia on Sunday, March 20 for the Collectors' Showcase of America.  Autograph tickets are available for purchase. See information below for amount per autograph.  Sunday's show admission is $5 and hours are 10am-4pm.  Now is your chance to get that something special signed by your favorite Caps.

John Carlson - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Brooks Laich - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Michal Neuvirth - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Alexander Ovechkin - 1:30-2:30pm ($120 Flat item/Puck or $150 Premium - Jersey/Stick/Equipment). No inscriptions

There will also be other DC current and former sports celebrities.  See link for schedule.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY
CAPTAIN AMERICA JOHN CARLSON!!

(Born in Natick, MA, USA)

Defenseman John Carlson was the Washington Capitals 1st Round Draft Pick
in 2008 (27th Overall).

Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/
Caps News Network. All Rights Reserved.

Braden Holtby and Mike Green have joined the other Washington Capitals to raise money for men's health since I first wrote about Movember.  The Caps have raised $36,022 already! 

Donations can be made to the team or to individual Caps players and staff (click on their name below).  Several of the players are also on Twitter.  Follow them to read tweet about their progress, share photos, etc.

Washington Capitals Team
Karl Alzner - $1,764 - @karlalzner
John Carlson - $1,890 - @johncarlson74
Jason Chimera - $15,825
John Erskine - $2,399 - @johnerskine04
Mike Green - $1,124 - @greenlife52
Matt Hendricks - $1,490
Braden Holtby - $934
Jeff Schultz - $1,244
Ynon Labre (Alum) - $1,070
Mike Vogel - $1,230 - @VogsCaps
Brett Leonhardt ("Stretch") - $1,300 - @brettleonhardt

\

MUSTACHE PROGRESS PHOTOS (Taken 11/11/2010):

Karl Alzner (I think he looks a bit like Will Forte)

John Carlson - not much there

Jason Chimera - little more than peach fuzz

John Erskine has some serious handlebars going on

Mike Green

Matt Hendricks

Jeff Schultz

Mike Vogel

Brett Leonhardt

Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/

Capitals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

"The month formerly known as November is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health." -- http://us.movemberfoundation.com/

Fans expect to see NHL players put their razors away and the playoff beards appear, but not until April and May.  It is November so what better time to grow a moustache (spelled mustache in the U.S.) than in "Movember?"

Several of the Washington Capitals have teamed up to raise money for men's health.  Have you signed up yet?  It is not too late.  The NHL has a team as well which has raised $18,025 as of this morning.  The Caps have raised $13,269 already!  Keep it up! 

Donations can be made to the team or to individual Caps players and staff (click on their name below). Jason Chimera is leading the players by a longshot with $10,040.  Several of the players are also on Twitter.  Follow them to read tweet about their progress, share photos, etc.
Washington Capitals Team
Karl Alzner - @karlalzner
John Carlson - @johncarlson74
Jason Chimera
John Erskine - @johnerskine04
Matt Hendricks
Jeff Schultz
Ynon Labre (Alum)
Mike Vogel - @VogsCaps
Brett Leonhardt ("Stretch") - @brettleonhardt

**If you get any great shots of the Caps' mustache growing progress, please send them to us and we'll post each week.

______________________________________________________________________
For more information see the Capitals official press release below.
Capitals Participate in Movember
Thursday, 10.28.2010 / 1:42 PM / Community

The Mo (slang for moustache) and November come together each year for Movember – and this year Caps players Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Jason Chimera, John Erskine, Matt Hendricks and Jeff Schultz and alumnus Yvon Labre are all set to be a part of it.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple: start Movember 1 clean-shaven and grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

As part of Hockey Fights Cancer month, the NHL provided each team with a $10,000 charitable grant to be donated to a cancer organization of its choice. The Capitals donated this money to the Movember Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit orangization that runs the men’s health initiative, Movember. The money raised during the Movember campaign initially goes to the Movember Foundation and is then split evenly and donated to the foundation’s two beneficiary partners – the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Follow the progress of Alzner, Carlson, Chimera, Erskine, Hendricks, Schultz and Labre on WashingtonCaps.com all month, and tune in to Caps Report on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ET – co-host Brett Leonhardt will also be participating.

Last year alone, more than one million donors raised $42 million for Movember’s global beneficiary partners. To support Alzner, Carlson, Chimera, Erskine, Hendricks, Schultz and Labre – or to find other ways how you can help support Movember -- go to http://us.movember.com/mospace/702996/ today.

**Updated 11/02/2010: Hockey 'n Heels SOLD OUT in a record five minutes yesterday!

Capitals Fifth Annual Hockey 'n Heels registration opens November 2. Female fans can learn more about hockey, meet Capitals players and meet other female fans. Buy your tickets soon as they sold out quickly last year.

From Club Scarlet:

Hockey 'N Heels is back!  The event will take place at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Tues., Nov. 16, 2010 from 6-9 p.m so circle that date on your calendar!

At Hockey 'N Heels, you can join other hockey-minded women for on-ice demonstrations and informational sessions where you can learn all about hockey. This year we have Coach Bruce Boudreau, John Carlson, Semyon Varlamov, Karl Alzner, Marcus Johansson, and Chilli Amar from Mix 107.3 scheduled to participate in the event. Please note that coaches and players scheduled to appear are subject to change.

Event registration will take place on Tues, Nov. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. Space is limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. $60.

Photos from Hockey 'N Heels 2009:

Special Guest Slapshot

Mathieu Perreault enjoyed it as much as the ladies!

Perrault taught stick handling

Alan May

Chalk Talk with Alan May and Lisa Hillary

Trying on equipment was fun

We're ready Coach

Peter Bondra taught us how to shoot a slapshot

Face-offs with Coach Bob Woods

Slapshots with Eric Fehr

Coach Bruce Boudreau explained pre-game strategy

Coach signed his book

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/

Capitals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

SneakerBall is an annual black tie and sneakers gala that celebrates the best of sports in the Greater Washington D.C. region, Organized by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Foundation.

SneakerBall VII is an interactive awards program. The public voted in categories that define excellence in athletic performance, franchise leadership, community sponsorship and media coverage and winners were announced on September 14, 2010. 

RED ROCKERS won the Best Team Spirt Award: Presented to the most enthusiastic and motivating Spirit Team in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. Congrats Red Rockers!

London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins won the Solid Character Award: Presented to the professional athlete that best exemplifies community and charitable qualities.  Mike Green was nominated for this award.

Eric Fehr, John Carlson, Brooks Laich and Nicklas Backstrom represented the Capitals at the 2010 Sneaker Ball in Washington, DC.  Stretch spoke to each of them on the red carpet and got the scoop on their sneakers and favorite DC athlete (non-Caps).

• Fehr borrowed sneakers from John Carlson and favorite local athlete is Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez because he grew up watching him play.
• Carlson was rockin' the red in "red old school Reebok pumps." John also likes Pudge, but got to meet Chris Cooley recently and picked him as his favorite local athlete.
• Backstrom was excited to attend his first sneakerball and bought new shoes. Nicky likes Chris Cooley and Mike Sellers.
• Laich wore the same sneakers as last year and wants to get more flashy ones like Stretch's cool sneakers. "I like Nyjer Morgan for the Nats. He used to play in the Western League hockey up in Canada. And then, you know, two weeks ago the little rubarb he started. (laughter). I like his game. But he's also a good player. He can steal bases. He make catches at the wall. I think he's a fantastic player." Stretch added, "We'll have to get him out on the ice" and Brooks agreed, "Yeah, you bet. Get him out."

Check out the video from the red carpet....

**UPDATE 7/20/2010: Appointments are full, however, INOVA suggested to call Fri or Sat AM to see if anyone has cancelled their appt.

Donating Blood = Saves Lives  

During the Spring Caps Inova Blood Drive in March 2010, 609 total units of blood were collected from 662 Caps fans whch marks the most successful blood donation campaign hosted by the Capitals and by any sports team in the Washington, DC area.

“Donating blood makes a significant difference and helps save lives,” said Capitals defenseman Mike Green, who was involved in the fall blood drive. “This is an important issue where everyone can help. I encourage all Caps fans to come out, participate and help others.”

WHO:  CAPS FANS! 

WHAT: INOVA and Washington Captials Annual Summer Blood Drive

WHERE: Dulles Donor Center - 45745 Nokes Boulevard, #160, Sterling, VA 20166

WHEN: Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

HOW: Donors can make an appointment now by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or sign up online at www.inova.org/donateblood. Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button (on the right side), and use sponsor code 7441 or zip code 22203 to find the Capitals drive. Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be permitted to donate. There is limited space available – only the first 500 fans to sign up will be able to participate. The entire donation process takes approximately one hour.

WHY:  The gift of life.  And as a bonus: All fans who attempt to give blood that day will receive a limited edition John Carlson bobblehead and a Carlson jersey T-shirt.  Caps defenseman John Carlson will also be at the blood drive to sign autographs for the donors.  

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO FOR DONORS:

To give blood, you must be feeling generally well on the day of your donation, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days). There is a one week wait to donate after any tattoos or body piercings. There are other factors that may affect your eligibility to give blood; any questions can be answered by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES or by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood. Aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron level) are measured.

One blood donation can save up to three lives and there is an immediate need for all blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, for patients in area hospitals. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients. Inova Blood Donor Services is the major supplier of blood products in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

Donating Blood = Saves Lives  

During the Spring Caps Inova Blood Drive in March 2010, 609 total units of blood were collected from 662 Caps fans whch marks the most successful blood donation campaign hosted by the Capitals and by any sports team in the Washington, DC area.

“Donating blood makes a significant difference and helps save lives,” said Capitals defenseman Mike Green, who was involved in the fall blood drive. “This is an important issue where everyone can help. I encourage all Caps fans to come out, participate and help others.”

WHO:  CAPS FANS NEEDED! 

WHAT: INOVA and Washington Captials Annual Summer Blood Drive

WHERE: Dulles Donor Center - 45745 Nokes Boulevard, #160, Sterling, VA 20166

WHEN: Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

HOW: Donors can make an appointment now by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or sign up online at www.inova.org/donateblood. Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button (on the right side), and use sponsor code 7441 or zip code 22203 to find the Capitals drive. Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be permitted to donate. There is limited space available – only the first 500 fans to sign up will be able to participate. The entire donation process takes approximately one hour.

WHY:  The gift of life.  And as a bonus: All fans who attempt to give blood that day will receive a limited edition John Carlson bobblehead and a Carlson jersey T-shirt.  Caps defenseman John Carlson will also be at the blood drive to sign autographs for the donors.  

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO FOR DONORS:

To give blood, you must be feeling generally well on the day of your donation, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days). There is a one week wait to donate after any tattoos or body piercings. There are other factors that may affect your eligibility to give blood; any questions can be answered by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES or by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood. Aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron level) are measured.

One blood donation can save up to three lives and there is an immediate need for all blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, for patients in area hospitals. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients. Inova Blood Donor Services is the major supplier of blood products in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.