Drafted 27th overall in 2008, Capitals defenseman John Carlson has become the team’s top blueliner over the last few seasons and established himself as one of the NHL’s best last year with a career-high 12-goal, 55-point season. With the departure of longtime Capital Mike Green, Carlson now occupies the top power play and is currently on pace for 16 goals and 59 points.

Tonight, “Carly” will be playing in his 400th consecutive game in a Capitals sweater, which is the second-longest streak in franchise history. Carlson’s streak is 22 games behind Bob Carpenter’s record of 422.  In honor of this achievement, NoVa Caps is taking a quick look back on some important moments, including his time in Hershey :

June 20, 2008: Carlson is drafted 27th overall by the Capitals in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

May 2, 2009: Carlson makes his American Hockey League debut with the Hershey Bears.

November 21, 2009: Carlson makes his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Carlson was a plus/minus -1, had one shot, had two hits, and blocked one shot.

March 25, 2010: Carlson scores his first NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes.

These are just some of many memorable moments in the six-year career of Carlson, and they don’t include his overtime game-winning goal to capture the Gold medal for Team USA in the 2010 World Junior Championships. That is below along with other memorable moments:

The Kid Does it Again!

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The USA Wins Gold!!

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It’s good to be lucky !!!