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Justin Carbonneau (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Justin Carbonneau<\/a> 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 \u2014 a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Now, with the draft dust settling, Carbonneau is already shifting from dreamer to doer. He\u2019s got a chance to prove himself, a city to impress, and the kind of opportunity every young player imagines.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was emotional to hear my name called out by the Blues,\u201d said Carbonneau to RG, remembering the day he became a Blue. \u201cIt\u2019s the culmination of all of your effort and sacrifices over the years. It\u2019s really hard to put into words how grateful I was.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually missed their call, everything was pretty crazy at the moment,\u201d explained Carbonneau. \u201cBut 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saw everything there. The incredible staff they have and the installations you get to work with; I came away really impressed\u2019 explained Carbonneau of his first impressions in St. Louis. \u201cIt was the real moment where you realize you\u2019re in the big leagues, and you have the resources to help get you to another level.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t just about soaking in the experience \u2014 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m known as an offensive player that\u2019s able to create plays, but I really wanted to show that I can be effective on the forecheck and without the puck,\u201d explained Carbonneau.<\/p>\n Looking to Earn His Spot<\/p>\n Right from the beginning of development camp in St. Louis, Carbonneau had caught the eye of the Blues\u2019 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the World Junior Summer Showcase, I went back to St. Louis where I met with Jim Montgomery and the rest of the coaching staff,\u201d recalled Carbonneau. \u201cWe discussed team strategies and expectations for me, and we also spoke about possible opportunities to crack the roster.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s on the power play, penalty kill, or late in a tight game.<\/p>\n