Paul Carey (ice hockey)
American center who scored his first NHL goal with the Capitals.
Paul Charles Carey (born September 24, 1988) is an American ice hockey coach and former professional center who appeared in the NHL. Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, he later suited up for the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Djurgårdens IF of the SHL.
Carey spent two years at the Salisbury School in Connecticut before joining the Indiana Ice of the USHL for the 2007–08 season, where he was a Rookie of the Year finalist. He then played for Boston College, winning national championships in his sophomore and senior years. In his final college game, he scored the championship-winning goal against Ferris State and was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team. The Avalanche signed him to a two-year entry-level contract in April 2012, and he finished that season on an amateur tryout with their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, making his professional debut in a win over the Hamilton Bulldogs.
In his first full pro season (2012–13), Carey put up 19 goals and 41 points in 72 games for the Monsters, finishing fourth on the team in scoring and posting an eight-game point streak. The following season, despite a drop in production, he earned his first NHL call-up in March 2014 and made his debut in a win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He spent most of the 2014–15 season with Lake Erie, recording his first NHL point—an assist—in his 17th career game. In March 2015, the Avalanche traded him and Maxime Talbot to the Boston Bruins for Jordan Caron and a sixth-round pick.
Carey signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Capitals in July 2015. While playing for the Hershey Bears, he was recalled and scored his first NHL goal against Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils in February 2016. After two seasons in Washington, he joined the Rangers on a one-year, two-way contract in July 2017. He made the opening-night roster for the first time in his career and set personal NHL bests with seven goals and 14 points in 60 games. He then signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Senators in July 2018. After five scoreless games in Ottawa, he was waived and sent to the Belleville Senators. In January 2019, the Bruins re-acquired him in a trade for Cody Goloubef, and he finished the season with Providence. He later signed a two-year extension with Boston.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 6 ft 3 in
- Weight
- 190 lb
- Born
- 24 September 1988
- Birthplace
- Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Position
- Center
- Shoots
- Left
- Played for
- Colorado Avalanche; Washington Capitals; New York Rangers; Ottawa Senators; Boston Bruins; Djurgårdens IF
- Draft
- 135th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Carey played two years at the Salisbury School in Connecticut before moving to the United States Hockey League with the Indiana Ice in the 2007–08 season, where he was a Rookie of the Year finalist. He then committed to Boston College, winning national titles in his sophomore year and again in his senior year in 2012, scoring the championship-winning goal against Ferris State University and earning selection to the Frozen Four All-Tournament team. After signing with the Avalanche, he made his NHL debut on March 12, 2014, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Carey signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Washington Capitals on July 8, 2015. He scored his first NHL goal on February 6, 2016, against Cory Schneider of the New Jersey Devils while playing in his third game for the Capitals, having been called up a day earlier from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. After two seasons within the Capitals organization, he left as a free agent to sign with the New York Rangers, where he set career markers of seven goals and 14 points in 60 games during the 2017–18 season.
Carey later played for the Ottawa Senators and was traded back to the Boston Bruins. He ended his professional playing career with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League in 2021–22, collecting 4 goals and 12 points through 41 regular season games. He returned to Boston College as an assistant coach during the 2022–23 season.
Reader's Guide
Paul Carey's significance lies in his journeyman NHL career and his notable achievement of scoring his first NHL goal while playing for the Washington Capitals. Though drafted by Colorado, his time with the Capitals marked a personal milestone. His college career at Boston College was distinguished by two national championships, including scoring the game-winning goal in the 2012 final. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, returning to Boston College as an assistant coach. His professional path included stops with five NHL organizations and a season in Sweden, reflecting the typical trajectory of a depth forward who carved out a decade-long professional career.
Did You Know?
- Carey scored the championship-winning goal for Boston College in the 2012 NCAA final against Ferris State University.
- He was a Rookie of the Year finalist in the USHL with the Indiana Ice in 2007–08.
- Carey's first NHL goal came on February 6, 2016, against Cory Schneider while playing for the Washington Capitals.
- He set career NHL highs of 7 goals and 14 points in 60 games with the New York Rangers in 2017–18.
More in Washington Capitals Players 1-24
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