Playing Career
Carle was drafted 47th overall in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, by the San Jose Sharks. An all-American star player at the University of Denver, Carle won the Hobey Baker Award in 2006 emblematic of America's top college hockey player as the only junior defenseman in history to win the award.
To convince Carle to forgo his senior year at University of Denver, as well as acknowledge Carle's numerous successes, the San Jose Sharks signed Carle to a three-year deal worth approximately US $4.1 million, the maximum an entry-level contract can be worth according to the NHL CBA. The contract, which is a two-way deal, includes $942,000 in annual salary as well as a $1.25 million signing bonus.
During his first full season with the Sharks in 2006–07, Carle scored 11 goals and 31 assists in 77 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In November 2007, Carle signed a four-year, $13.75 million contract extension with San Jose.
On July 4, 2008, Carle was traded, along with Ty Wishart and a first in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth round pick in 2010, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich.
On November 7, 2008, 12 games into Tampa Bay's season, Carle was traded along with a 2009 third round draft pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Steve Eminger, Steve Downie and a 2009 fourth round pick. Playing most of the year with Braydon Coburn, Carle scored 4 goals and 20 assists and finished +2 in 64 games for the Flyers. During the season he also missed 5 games at the start of December with a rib injury.
Carle got a new defense partner when the Flyers traded for Chris Pronger at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The duo immediately clicked in training camp and started production early in the season. The Flyers home opener of the 2009–10 season saw Carle tie the NHL record for assists in a single period by a defenceman as he set up four goals in the second period against the Washington Capitals, helping Mike Richards reach his second career hat trick. Also a personal best for assists in a game for Carle.
After four seasons with the Flyers, Carle returned to the Lightning as a free agent on July 4, 2012, signing a six-year contract worth $33 million total.
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