Justin Carbonneau (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Justin Carbonneau still laughs when he thinks back to draft night. One minute he was sitting with his family, nerves rattling, and the next his name was booming over the speakers — a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues. Years of backyard hockey games, endless bus rides, and late-night practices had all built up to that single moment. For the kid who grew up dreaming with a stick in his hands, it was the kind of night that changes everything.
Now, with the draft dust settling, Carbonneau is already shifting from dreamer to doer. He’s got a chance to prove himself, a city to impress, and the kind of opportunity every young player imagines.
Carbonneau admits the emotions of the night are hard to put into words. Even with all the preparation leading up to the draft, nothing quite matched the feeling of hearing the Blues call his name and realizing, in that instant, that all the sacrifices were worth it.
“It was emotional to hear my name called out by the Blues,” said Carbonneau to RG, remembering the day he became a Blue. “It’s the culmination of all of your effort and sacrifices over the years. It’s really hard to put into words how grateful I was.”
The whirlwind of draft day made it hard to keep track of every moment, but one memory still makes him laugh. In all the chaos, he actually missed the first call from team GM Doug Armstrong and AGM Alex Steen.
“I actually missed their call, everything was pretty crazy at the moment,” explained Carbonneau. “But then their Communications rep handed me the phone, and I was really impressed. They were very classy and welcoming right away, and I was just excited to get started.”
That feeling only deepened once he arrived in St. Louis. Seeing the facilities, meeting the staff, and realizing just how many resources were available to help him grow gave Carbonneau his first true taste of the NHL lifestyle.
“You saw everything there. The incredible staff they have and the installations you get to work with; I came away really impressed’ explained Carbonneau of his first impressions in St. Louis. “It was the real moment where you realize you’re in the big leagues, and you have the resources to help get you to another level.”
It wasn’t just about soaking in the experience — he also wanted to prove he could adapt his game. Known primarily for his offensive instincts, Carbonneau focused on showing that he could be relied upon without the puck, too.
“I’m known as an offensive player that’s able to create plays, but I really wanted to show that I can be effective on the forecheck and without the puck,” explained Carbonneau.
Looking to Earn His Spot
Right from the beginning of development camp in St. Louis, Carbonneau had caught the eye of the Blues’ development staff and stood out in a big way. Having left his mark on the organization, sources say the Blues brass was very impressed with his showing.
Carbonneau eventually was asked to return to St. Louis to meet with head coach Jim Montgomery and his staff, where the conversation shifted from dreams to expectations.
“After the World Junior Summer Showcase, I went back to St. Louis where I met with Jim Montgomery and the rest of the coaching staff,” recalled Carbonneau. “We discussed team strategies and expectations for me, and we also spoke about possible opportunities to crack the roster.”
For Carbonneau, the message was clear: versatility will be the key to opening the door to the NHL. He knows that earning trust means being valuable in every situation, whether that’s on the power play, penalty kill, or late in a tight game.
The 18-year-old mulled over a potential jump to the NCAA that would have ruled him out from training camp, but instead chose to stay with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL.
Consequently, sources indicate that discussions are ongoing on a potential entry-level contract for Carbonneau in the coming weeks, something he would have been ineligible for had he gone through the collegiate ranks.
The Blues are reportedly eager to see what he can do in pre-season and possibly even during a nine-game NHL trial period.
“I want to show that I can be played in all situations and that’s a necessity to be ready to crack an NHL roster,” said Carbonneau. “ I need to work to show I can be trust and bring value to my teammates.”
That’s the mindset he’ll carry into training camp — hungry, determined, and with nothing to lose. If the NHL isn’t ready just yet, he knows there’s still a President’s Cup and World Junior gold to chase with the Armada and Team Canada, respectively.
“I have nothing to lose, I’m showing up to win a spot at camp.” said Carbonneau. “And, if not, I’ll be going back to an excellent situation with the Armada, where we get to compete for a President’s Cup.”
For the young forward, draft night was just the first step. Now comes the real challenge — proving he belongs, showing he can play with pace and grit against the best, and making sure his game keeps growing.
Carbonneau knows that being an NHL player is about more than points on the board; it’s about trust, effort, and finding ways to help your team win. That’s the attitude that got him drafted, and it’s the one he hopes will carry him to new heights.