With the 18th overall selection in the National Hockey League Draft, Future Considerations selects…

…John Carlson.

After being drafted 27th overall by the Washington Capitals in 2008, Carlson starred with the London Knights, recording 76 points in 59 games following his draft year.

After his one-year stint in the Ontario Hockey League, Carlson turned pro and joined the Hershey Bears, Washington’s AHL affiliate. Carlson’s rookie campaign with the Bears was interrupted by the 2010 World Junior Championship, where he scored the overtime golden goal against Canada in overtime to bring Team USA to victory. He returned to Hershey to complete a successful All-Star rookie campaign with 39 points in 48 games.

It was the 23-year-old’s only stint in the minors after he graduated to play 234 games with the Capitals, recording 97 points in that span.

FC’s 18th Ranked Players By Year

2008: John Carlson (WAS, 27th overall)
2009: Kyle Palmieri (ANA, 26th overall)
2010: Austin Watson (NAS, 18th overall)
2011: Joel Armia (BUF, 16th overall)
2012: Brendan Gaunce (VAN, 26th overall)

2013: Anthony Mantha

For six seasons, Future Considerations has been bringing you the best in NHL Draft eligible content. To celebrate the NHL Draft — our sixth, we’re going back through our previous rankings to identify who was the best of the best at each pick, starting with all our 30th overalls and working to our top picks.