Karl Alzner (born September 24, 1988 in Burnaby, British Columbia) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. A standout in junior, Alzner won two World Junior Hockey Championship gold medals with team Canada, and was named the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s top player and Canadian Hockey League (CHL)'s top defenceman in 2008.

[edit] Junior career

Alzner played four Western Hockey League (WHL) seasons with the Calgary Hitmen as part of a standout junior career. He was a member of Canada's gold-medal winning team at the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championships as one of only two players who had not been selected in the NHL draft (the other being Sam Gagner). Shortly after returning to Calgary after the World Junior Championships, Alzner headed to Quebec City, Quebec to play in the 2007 Top Prospects Game. Alzner was joined by two other players from the Hitmen: Brett Sonne and Alex Plante. Alzner and Sonne played for the White team, while Plante joined the victorious Red team.

Alzner was an assistant captain in the 2007 Super Series against the Russian junior team, and was named captain of Team Canada for the 2008 World Junior Championships, both of which were won by Canada. Alzner was named the WHL Player of the Year and Defenceman of the Year for the 2007–08 WHL season.^[1] He was also named the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.

[edit] Professional career

Alzner is in his second professional season in the Capitals organization, having been assigned to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) to start 2008–09. He was called up to the Washington Capitals roster on November 26, 2008, making his NHL debut that night against the Atlanta Thrashers. He recorded his first NHL point (an assist) on December 4, 2008, against the New York Islanders. He recorded his first goal the next game on December 6, 2008, on Hockey Night in Canada against Vesa Toskala of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alzner was sent back down to Hershey on January 28, 2009 to make room for returning defenceman Tom Poti. He was recalled during the Capitals' playoff series with the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 3 as a precautionary measure after injuries to several Washington defencemen, but did not see any action. He is currently heading into his second season with the Capitals in 2009–10.

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] International play

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Karl Alzner's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• hitmenhockey.com Bio
• Hockey Canada

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