After the Toronto Maple Leafs' shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Winter Classic on New Year's Day, the U.S. Olympic hockey team roaster was announced, and Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson will be going to the Sochi Games.
Carlson, 23, has been playing his entire four-year professional career for the Washington Capitals. He has scored 30 goals and has 112 points in 274 games. Carlson is currently ranked fifth in goals (7) by NHL defensemen. Furthermore, he's leading the team in blocked shots (83).
He's also leading Washington in average ice time - this season he's averaging 24 minutes and 41 seconds of ice time per night, which is a career high. His ice time ranks 20th in the league.
Washington Capitals' coach, Adam Oates, certainly agrees with the choice. He said, “[Carlson's] one of the best defensemen in the league. He plays a lot of minutes, plays physical, he’s got an unlimited tank. He plays every situation, can do anything you ask of him.”
This will be Carlson's first appearance in the Olympics, but he represented the United States in the 2010 World Junior Championships where he scored the overtime goal in the gold medal game.
There will be 24 other men going to Sochi as well. Here's the full roaster:
