| Born: | Sep 24, 1988 | Draft: | 2007 Capitals, 5th Overall |
| Hometown: | Burnaby, British Columbia | Position: | Defense |
| Known For: | 2x AHL Calder Cup Champion | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Inactive |
Karl Alzner (born September 24, 1988) is a Canadian ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2019-2020 season. Drafted 5th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Alzner had a phenomenal two final seasons with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL), serving as the team’s alternate captain in 2006-07 and then promoted as the team’s captain the next year. In 2008, he made his debut in the NHL, appearing in 30 games but ultimately splitting time with the Capitals and their minor-league affiliate Hershey Bears. After two seasons of development in the American Hockey League (AHL) and few stints in the NHL, Alzner became an NHL regular, dressing in all 82 games in the 2010-11 season.
Alzner became the definition of consistency, never missing a game from 2010-11 to his final year with the Capitals in 2016-17. He posted back-to-back 21-point seasons in 2014 and 2015, and helped the Capitals to the postseason in six of the seven years he was a regular. In his final year with Washington, Alzner put up the lowest offensive numbers since his first full season, leading to his exit from the Capitals. The Canadiens believed they saw enough from his tenure in the NHL, signing him to a multi-year contract. Alzner played in all 82 games in the 2017-18 season, but his play had regressed significantly, along with his inability to adapt to a different system. The following season, he appeared in just nine games, spending the remainder of the season with the AHL’s Laval Rocket.
Alzner was bought out at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season after playing the majority of the year in the AHL once again. He took the next year off, focusing on his personal life, but stated he was open to a return at any capacity. Despite the proclamation, Alzner remains inactive after two years, but has not announced his retirement as of this writing.
Karl Alzner Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Salary Cap Casualties: Karl Alzner
- The Time the Canadiens Signed Defenseman Karl Alzner
- Alzner Is a Rich Man’s Emelin
Achievements
- PIJHL Champion (2004)
- U17 WHC Silver Medal (2005)
- 2x U20 WJC Gold Medal (2007, 2008)
- CHL Second All-Star Team (2007)
- CHL Top Prospects Game (2007)
- CHL Defenseman of the Year (2008)
- CHL First All-Star Team (2008)
- U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team (2008)
- WHL (East) First All-Star Team (2008)
- WHL Player of the Year (Four Broncos Trophy) (2008)
- WHL Top Defenseman (Bill Hunter Trophy) (2008)
- 2x AHL Calder Cup Champion (2009, 2010)