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Washington Capitals: Top 5 All-Time American-Born Players

By Michael Marzzacco

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: John Carlson #4 of Team USA makes his way towards the ice during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 against Team Czech Republic at Air Canada Centre on September 22, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 22: John Carlson #4 of Team USA makes his way towards the ice during the World Cup of Hockey 2016 against Team Czech Republic at Air Canada Centre on September 22, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images) /
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#5 Jim Carey

2 Feb 1997: Goaltender Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals looks on during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The game was a tie, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
2 Feb 1997: Goaltender Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals looks on during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The game was a tie, 2-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

Jim Carey was a goaltender from 1995-97 with the Capitals. The Dorchester, Massachutetts native was drafted by the Capitals in the second round at 32nd overall. He made his first NHL start on March 2, 1995 and made 21 saves in a win over the New York Islanders.

That victory would be the first of seven unbeaten starts and Carey was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. Carey finished his rookie campaign with an 18-6-3 record, .913 save percentage, and 2.13 goals-against average. He earned the starting netminding job the next season.

In the 1995-96 season, Carey played in 71 games and posted a career-best 35-24-9 record with a 2.26 GAA, .906 save percentage and nine shutouts. His strong full season earned him a Vezina Trophy and was named to the NHL’s First All-Star Team.

19 Jun 1996: Goaltender Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals wins the Vezina Trophy during the NHL Awards ceremony at the Metro Convention Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mandatory Credit: Sylvia Pecota /Allsport
19 Jun 1996: Goaltender Jim Carey of the Washington Capitals wins the Vezina Trophy during the NHL Awards ceremony at the Metro Convention Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mandatory Credit: Sylvia Pecota /Allsport /

Just prior to the 1996-97 season, Carey was a backup goaltender on Team USA to Mike Richter in their World Cup of Hockey Gold Medal run which culminated in a three-game sweep over Team Canada.

MONTREAL, CANADA – CIRCA 1996: Jim Carey #30 of the Washington Capitals follows the action during a game against the Montreal Canadiens Circa 1996 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, CANADA – CIRCA 1996: Jim Carey #30 of the Washington Capitals follows the action during a game against the Montreal Canadiens Circa 1996 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Carey struggled back in Washington with a 17-18-3 mark, a 3.08 GAA and a .886 save percentage and was traded to the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline. He never found his Vezina form again and left the NHL two seasons later.

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