Who Is John Carlson (ice hockey)? Age, Biography and Wiki
John Carlson was born on January 10, 1990, making him 35 years old as of 2025. He is a celebrated American ice hockey defenseman, best known for his tenure with the Washington Capitals in the NHL. Carlson's journey began in Massachusetts where he developed a passion for ice hockey at a young age. He showcased immense talent early on, leading to his selection in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
For more detailed information about his life and career, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Hockey Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 10, 1990 |
| Age | 35 Years |
| Birth Place | Natick, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
John Carlson (ice hockey)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
John Carlson stands tall at 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) and has a weight of approximately 223 pounds (101 kg). His towering presence on the ice, combined with his strength and agility, makes him one of the most formidable defenders in the league. His body measurements contribute significantly to his playing style, allowing him to perform defensive tasks and offensive plays with equal prowess.
Carlson played the entirety of the 2010–11 season at the NHL level for the first time in his career. Due to their play in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs Boudreau reunited Carlson with his former defensive partner, Karl Alzner, for the majority of the season.
As the season progressed, the duo began to earn more on-ice responsibilities such as playing against the opposing team's top players, and spending time on the Capitals powerplay and penalty kill unit. Carlson ended the regular season with seven goals and 30 assists to tie a franchise record for most points by a rookie defenseman in a single season.
Despite suffering a hip injury in game 1 of the 2011 playoffs, Carlson still averaged over 25 minutes of ice time through their first-round series against the New York Rangers. After eliminating the Rangers, Carlson and the Capitals faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference semifinals.
In the semifinals series, Carlson and Alexander Ovechkin were the only two Capitals players to score more than one goal as the Lightning swept them in four games.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Carlson is known to be a family-oriented individual. He is married to his college sweetheart, Gina Carlson, and together they have two beautiful children. Their relationship has been a source of support and inspiration throughout Carlson's demanding career. As of 2025, there have been no public records of infidelity or significant changes in their relationship status, reinforcing the stability of their family life.
The family of four lived in Marlborough, Massachusetts until his father accepted a job in New Jersey when John was five years old. While in Massachusetts, Carlson learned to skate with his father at the age of three.
After the family moved to the Colonia section of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, Carlson and his brother Andrew played junior hockey for the New Jersey Rockets in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, John Carlson's estimated net worth is around $30 million. This remarkable figure can be attributed to his lucrative NHL contracts, endorsements, and various business ventures. Carlson signed a long-term contract with the Washington Capitals, which significantly boosted his earnings over the years. His annual salary in the NHL is reported to be around $8 million, making him one of the highest-paid defensemen in the league.
Career, Business and Investments
Over the years, Carlson has established himself as a key player for the Washington Capitals, playing an integral role in their Stanley Cup victory in 2018. His career highlights include multiple All-Star selections and being named to the NHL All-Star Game. Apart from his on-ice accomplishments, Carlson has ventured into various business investments, ranging from sports management to real estate, aiming to secure his family's financial future post-retirement.
Carlson scored his first career NHL goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 25, 2010. Despite losing 3-2, Carlson tied an NHL record by being one of three rookie defensemen to score a goal that game. He finished the regular season with six points through 22 games and remained eligible for rookie status the following season.
While both the Bears and Capitals qualified for the playoffs, Carlson remained at the NHL level for the entirety of their conference quarterfinals series against the Canadiens. As a 20-year-old rookie, Carlson played in all seven games and ranked third among Capitals defensemen in ice time.
He scored his first NHL playoff point, an assist, in game 1, and tallied his first playoff goal in game 2. His goal forced the game to overtime where teammate Nicklas Bäckström secured the win for the Capitals. Carlson finished the playoffs with one goal and three assists as the Canadiens eliminated the Capitals in seven games.
Following their elimination, he rejoined the Bears for their second-round series against the Albany River Rats. Carlson recorded one assist and six shots on net in game 4 to help the Bears advance to the AHL's conference finals.
However, he struggled throughout the series, and tallied only one assist over six games as the Bears advanced to the 2010 Calder Cup Finals. Carlson tallied his first goal of the postseason in game 4 of the Calder Cup Finals against the Texas Stars to even the series 2–2.
His second goal came in game 6 to help lead the Bears to back-to-back Calder Cup championships.
Social Network
John Carlson is quite active on social media, utilizing platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with fans and showcase his personal life. His Instagram handle (@johncarlson74) boasts thousands of followers, where he shares insights into his daily life, family moments, and training routines. Carlson's approachable demeanor and engaging content make him a fan favorite, further strengthening his brand.
Following the Capital's early elimination from the 2020 playoffs, head coach Todd Reirden was replaced with Peter Laviolette. The team also made numerous high profile off-season acquisitions, including signing veteran defensemen Zdeno Chára.
Due to COVID-19 cross-border travel restrictions, the 2020–21 season resulted in a realignment of the four conferences. The Capitals were placed in the East Division and only competed against the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
On March 11, Carlson recorded his sixth goal of the season in a 5–3 win over the Flyers. He subsequently became the third fastest active NHL defenseman to reach their 500th point milestone. He continued to reach new milestones and climb the franchise's all-time list throughout April.
On April 11, Carlson tallied his 113th and 114th career NHL goals to move into sole possession of third all-time in franchise history. Three days later, Carlson recorded his 400th career assist in his 800th NHL game.
While he already held the franchise record for assists by a defenseman, he became the second one in franchise history to skate in 800 games. On April 17, Carlson became the fifth defenseman in franchise history to record four assists in a single game and the first to do so in the 21st century.
A cracked kneecap forced Carlson to miss four of the final seven games of the regular season and severely impacted his play during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Education
Carlson attended Northeastern University, where he played college hockey before turning professional. His education not only provided him with a solid foundation in hockey but also instilled values of teamwork and discipline that have been crucial for his success in the NHL. The knowledge and skills acquired during his college years have continued to benefit him, both on and off the ice.
In his freshman year at St. Joseph High School, Carlson played for both the varsity team and the Rockets in the 2004–05 season. He was only one of a few players who joined the Rockets Junior A team at the age of 15. Carlson played all 21 games for St.
Joseph, registering 12 goals and 19 points, to help lead the team to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Sweet 16 tournament. However, this would be his only season playing for St. Joseph as he then dedicated his sophomore and junior years to the Rockets.
While playing for the Rockets under coach Bob Thornton during the 2006–07 season, Carlson scored 50 points in 44 games to earn the Atlantic Junior Hockey League Offensive Defenseman of the Year Award.
Throughout his time with the Rockets organization, Carlson gained the attention of scouts for the National Hockey League (NHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL).
