John Carlson Named to AHL's All-Rookie Team

Before Hockey Mom heads off to the shopping/food mecca of New York City, I wanted make a special Hockey Mom toast to the Capital's tremendously talented young defenseman John Carlson for being named to the AHL's 2010 All-Rookie Team! Here's the official good word from the team press release:

Capitals Defenseman John Carlson Named to AHL All-Rookie Team


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson, the team’s first-round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft (27th overall), was named to the American Hockey League (AHL) All-Rookie Team, as voted by AHL coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 29 member cities, the AHL announced today.

Carlson ranks fourth among AHL rookie defensemen with 39 points (four goals, 35 assists) in 48 games with the Hershey Bears this season. His +37 rating is good for a share of third place in the entire league. The 20-year-old native of Natick, Mass., has appeared in 20 games for the Capitals this season, with five points (one goal, four assists), six penalty minutes, and a +11 rating. Carlson scored his first NHL goal on March 25 in a 3-2 shootout loss at Carolina.


Carlson is the first Capitals prospect to be named to the AHL All-Rookie Team since Mike Green, who earned the same honor in April 2006. Carlson made his pro debut with Hershey during the 2009 postseason, recording two goals and one assist with a +3 rating as the Bears won the Calder Cup.

In addition to his time in Washington and Hershey, Carlson skated in the 2010 AHL All-Star Classic and scored the overtime gold-medal-winning goal for Team USA at the 2010 World Junior Championship.

And based on what we've seen so far, this is just the first of many honors that will most likely be bestowed upon Carlson in what promises to be an illustrious career. Way to go kid!