Capitals Sign Defenseman Karl Alzner to Three-Year Contract

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:04 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 22, 2008

Capitals Sign Defenseman Karl Alzner to Three-Year Contract

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Karl Alzner to a three-year entry-level contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Alzner was the Capitals’ first-round choice, fifth overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Alzner, who will turn 20 on Sept. 24, recently completed his fourth season with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was named the WHL Player of the Year and Defenseman of the Year in 2007-08. He is a finalist for the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year, which will be announced at the CHL Awards Show Saturday night. The captain of the Hitmen, Alzner recorded 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists), a +26 rating and just 15 penalty minutes in 60 games in the regular season.

A two-time gold medalist at the IIHF World Junior Championship with Canada, Alzner captained the Canadian team in 2007-08 and was named one of the team’s top three players by the coaching staff. Alzner also represented Canada in the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series and played for the WHL team in the 2006 Canada-Russia Challenge.

Alzner is rated as Washington’s top prospect by The Hockey News and Hockey’s Future. Those publications rank him as the NHL’s No. 9 and No. 12 prospect, respectively.

Alzner will attend Washington’s summer development camp, to be held July 7-12 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.

Karl Alzner
Position: Defense
Born: September 24, 1988 (Burnaby, British Columbia)
Height: 6’2” Weight: 209 Shoots: Left
Drafted: Capitals’ first-round choice, fifth overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:55 am

Alzner had a great season all around. He's extremely mature for his age and showed it this year.

On a slightly related note - the Capitals opted for Alzner over Sam Gagner in the draft, and Gagner went to the Oilers with his very next pick. I'm going to meet Gagner on Saturday at a new training centre that's opening in my hometown. Perk of the new job I guess, but he's a great young man and I'm looking forward to asking him about his great rookie season in Edmonton.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:56 am

I like Alzner, but I wanted Gagner in the Red, White and Blue.