Matt Carle is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on September 25, 1984, in Anchorage, Alaska. Carle started his hockey career in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) with the University of Denver Pioneers. He played for the Pioneers from 2003 to 2006, where he was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year in 2006.
Carle was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Sharks in the 2006-2007 season, where he played in 77 games and recorded 11 goals and 31 assists. Carle was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team that season.
In 2008, Carle was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played for two seasons. He then signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009 and played for them for four seasons. During his time with the Flyers, Carle was part of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.
In 2012, Carle signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time, where he played for five seasons. During his time with the Lightning, Carle was part of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Carle announced his retirement from professional hockey in August 2017. He played in a total of 730 NHL games, recording 45 goals and 238 assists. Carle was known for his offensive skills as a defenseman and his ability to move the puck up the ice. He was also a reliable player on the defensive end, often playing against the opposing team's top players.
Off the ice, Carle was known for his philanthropic work. He and his wife, Melissa, started the Carle Foundation in 2010, which supports various charities in the Tampa Bay area. Carle was also involved in the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and was named the Lightning's nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2017, which recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
In conclusion, Matt Carle had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, playing for three different teams over the course of 11 seasons. He was known for his offensive skills as a defenseman and his philanthropic work off the ice.
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