Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing in at 210 pounds, rookie defenseman John Carlson is undoubtedly an intimidating force on the Hershey blueline.  A highly touted first-round draft pick, he has been noted for his strength, composure and, unlike most skaters of his size, his agility. 

The deft Natick, MA, native has already left a considerable impression on not only the Bears, but also the entire AHL.  In 26 games this season, Carlson has amassed a goal and 19 assists, pacing Hershey’s defensive corps in points.  He ranks second in scoring among AHL rookie defensemen and third in the league in plus/minus with his plus-15 rating.  As the youngest member of the Bears and one of the youngest players in the league, Carlson is handling the pressure well. 

“It’s good and bad.  It’s good to be playing with guys like this at such a young age, and it’s bad because you’re young and you’re going to make mistakes.  But overall I think it’s been a great year for me,” he said.    

At just 19, Carlson is skating with players twice his age. 

“Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin—guys like that—come into the league at 18, and there are 40 year olds playing in the NHL.  That’s where I want to be, so that’s why this league is the next step down,” he said.  “It’s great talent, and obviously there are some older guys here, too.  The continuity between the two leagues is good.”

Acquired when Washington traded Steve Eminger and a third-round draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers, Carlson was chosen 27th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  At the conclusion of his season with the OHL’s London Knights last spring, where he played under the tutelage of former Capital Dale Hunter, he was assigned to Hershey.  Carlson immediately made his presence known, making his AHL debut May 2 and netting his first goal the following night.  While most prospects would have watched from the sidelines, Carlson commandeered a spot on the blueline and played in 16 playoff tilts en route to the Bears’ record 10th Calder Cup. 

Thrust into the fervor of postseason action, Carlson had to quickly adapt.  “It was unbelievable.  In the OHL the playoffs are pretty serious, too.  We had three long series there, but everything’s just a little bit faster and bigger up here,” he said.  

“The guys were good to me last year.  I think that really helped coming into this year, knowing everything and not having to learn how we play here.  I felt a little bit at home this year to start, while some guys had to make the transition at the beginning of the year.  It felt good.  I owe a lot of the success I’m having this year to being here last year.”

Garnering attention for his solid, two-way play early in the season, Carlson totaled 11 points in just 17 games before the standout defenseman earned a call-up from Washington.  He made his NHL debut against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 20 before his parents, brother and better than 18,000 Caps faithful at Verizon Center. 

The first of Washington’s 2008 draft class to appear in an NHL contest, Carlson skated 17:24 in his inaugural game and recorded a team-high five hits.  In his debut, Carlson became the ninth defenseman to skate for the Capitals as a teenager and the first Caps player born in the 1990s.  He nearly scored that night as well, as he launched a point shot off the crossbar behind Montreal netminder Carey Price in the second period. 

“I can remember it pretty vividly,” he said.  “After I hit it [the crossbar], I was so flustered.  The puck came out, and I just dumped it right back in.  I didn’t know what to do.  I got off the ice and had to pinch myself a little bit.” 

Since being reassigned to Hershey, Carlson has received an invitation to represent the United States in the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships later this month.  He is expected to skate in the Americans’ top defensive pairing in the tournament, which begins Dec. 26 in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask. 

“It’s an honor to play for your country any time you can.  I wanted to play on the team last year, too.  But this year is my chance, and I’m ready to go,” he said. 

His career still in its infancy, Carlson is wasting no time making a name for himself in the Washington organization.  Exuding quiet confidence, the 19-year-old takes nothing for granted and shows poise both on and off the ice.  

“I think some guys are harder on you and want you to succeed more,” he said.  “If I was drafted anywhere else I’d be doing the same thing:  just working my hardest every day.”