Carlo Colaiacovo (pronounced /ˌkoʊleɪ.əˈkoʊvoʊ/) (born January 27, 1983) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Colaiacovo also has an identical twin brother, Paulo Colaiacovo, who is a professional ice hockey goaltender.

[edit] Playing career

Colaiacovo was drafted 17th overall by Toronto in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Colaiacovo has been bothered by injuries that have hindered him from becoming an NHL regular, but many still consider him to be a good prospect. He scored his first career NHL goal on November 8, 2005 against the Washington Capitals.

On January 23, 2006, Colaiacovo missed a hipcheck on Václav Varaďa in a game against the Ottawa Senators, smashing head-first into the boards. He was taken off the ice in a stretcher. The injury was a major concussion, and missed the end of the 2005–06 NHL season.

Colaiacovo recovered fully from his concussion, but later injured his hand in his first game back into the Toronto Marlies lineup. On December 4, the Maple Leafs recalled Colaiacovo from the Marlies and on December 16, he scored his first goal of the season against the New York Rangers. Colaiacovo underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on April 29, 2007.^[1]

On November 24, 2008, Colaiacovo was traded by the Leafs, along with Alexander Steen, to the St. Louis Blues for Lee Stempniak.^[2][3]

He has played very well since the trade, and finished the 08-09 season with 30 points, more than any other St. Louis Blues defenceman.

[edit] Awards and achievements

• 2001 - Voted Best Defensive Defenceman - OHL Western Conference
• 2003 - WJC First All-Star Team

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• ESPN.com
• Carlo Colaiacovo's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Hockey's Future
• SI.com
• Yahoo Sports