Karl Alzner

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size = 200px
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 198
team = Washington Capitals
league = NHL
prospect_team = Hershey Bears
prospect_league = AHL
nationality = CAN
birth_date = Birth date and age|1988|9|24|mf=y
birth_place = Burnaby, BC, CAN
career_start = 2008
draft = 5th overall
draft_year = 2007
draft_team = Washington Capitals

Karl Alzner (born September 24, 1988 in Burnaby, British Columbia) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Junior career

Alzner played four Western Hockey League 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 Jr. Championships, Alzner headed to Quebec City, Quebec to play in the 2007 Top Prospects Game. Karl was joined by 2 other players from the Calgary 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. [citation |url=http://www.whl.ca/news/?id=9445 |title=WHL Announces 2007-08 Award Winners; Karl Alzner named Player of the Year |publisher=Western Hockey League |date=April 30, 2008 |accessdate=October 8, 2008] He was also named the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.

Alzner is entering his first professional season in the Capitals organization, having been assigned to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League to start 2008–09.

Career statistics

International play

References

External links

*hockeydb|74658
* [http://www.hitmenhockey.com/cgi-bin/roster.cgi?displayNode=81 hitmenhockey.com Bio]
* [http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/11737/la_id/1/ss_id/23170/player_id/409.htm Hockey Canada]