Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson marked a significant milestone on Saturday, November 1, 2025, by playing his 1,100th NHL game. The Natick, Massachusetts native has spent his entire NHL career with the Capitals, solidifying his place as a cornerstone of the franchise. Carlson becomes the 15th defenseman in NHL history to play 1,100 or more games with a single team, and is only the third Capital to reach the plateau, joining Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. He is also the fourth active defenseman to reach that many games.
Carlson's journey to this achievement began when the Capitals drafted him in the first round, 27th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Before joining the NHL, Carlson played in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Indiana Ice and the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights. He signed an entry-level contract with the Capitals after a strong showing with the Knights. He then spent time with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' AHL affiliate, helping them win the Calder Cup in 2010. During the 2009-10 AHL season, Carlson was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and was honored as the Bears' Rookie of the Year and best defenseman.
Carlson made his NHL debut on November 20, 2009. At 19 years old, he was the youngest player to debut with the team since Alexander Semin. He scored his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 25, 2010. In the 2010 playoffs, Carlson played in all seven of the Capitals' conference quarterfinal games, scoring his first NHL playoff goal. After the Capitals were eliminated, he rejoined the Hershey Bears, contributing to their Calder Cup victory.
Over the years, Carlson has become known for his strong two-way play and his ability to contribute in all situations. He was a key component of the Capitals' Stanley Cup championship team in 2018, leading all defensemen in the playoffs with 20 points. On January 6, 2025, Carlson tallied his 700th career point, becoming the 31st defenseman in NHL history to reach the milestone. He is the Capitals' all-time leader in games played, goals, assists, and points among defensemen. On March 30, 2024, Carlson played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the first defenseman in franchise history to reach the milestone.
Carlson's contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has been selected for the NHL All-Star Game twice and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2019-20. He has also represented the United States in international competitions, including the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In the 2019-2020 season, Carlson broke numerous records, becoming the fourth defenseman in NHL history to record 20 or more points through October.
As he approaches his 36th birthday in January, Carlson continues to be a reliable and consistent presence on the Capitals' blue line. He is currently signed to an eight-year contract with the team, with the contract expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season.
