Matt Carle

Matthew Carle (born September 25, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman. He currently plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Carle played parts of 2 seasons with the US National Team Development Program, 1 season with the River City Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and 3 years of college hockey with the University of Denver Pioneers. During his time with the Pioneers, Carle won the Hobey Baker Award in 2006 for being the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player. He was also the only junior defenseman in history to win the award.

He was drafted 47th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. On March 25, 2006, Carle made his NHL debut and scored his first NHL goal against Manny Fernandez of the Minnesota Wild in a 5-1 win. On November 21, 2007, Carle was signed to a four-year, $13.75 million contract extension to stay with San Jose.

On July 4, 2008, the Sharks traded Carle along with Ty Wishart and a first round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth round pick in 2010, to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich.

After 12 games with the Lightning, they traded him along with a 2009 third round draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie and a 2009 fourth round pick on November 7, 2008. Carle missed 5 games at the start of December because of a rib injury. During the home opener of the 2009–10 season for the Flyers, Carle tied the NHL record for assists in a single period by a defenceman when he set up four goals in the second period against the Washington Capitals and also helped Mike Richards achieve his second career hat trick, which was also his personal best for assists in a game.

On July 4, 2012, Carle signed a six-year; $33 million contract to return with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1984 births
Category:American ice hockey defensemen
Category:Living people
Category:Philadelphia Flyers players
Category:San Jose Sharks players
Category:Sportspeople from Anchorage, Alaska
Category:Tampa Bay Lightning players
Category:United States Hockey League players
Category:Worcester Sharks players