Justin Faulk Bio
Justin Michael Faulk (born March 20, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). A native of South St. Paul, Minnesota, he was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2010 NHL entry draft and went on to spend his first eight professional seasons in Carolina before being traded to St. Louis in 2019. Known for his offensive production from the blue line, Faulk has represented the United States at multiple international tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Early Life and Background
Justin Michael Faulk was born on March 20, 1992, in South St. Paul, Minnesota, to parents Gail and Dale. He learned how to ice skate at three years old and began playing organized ice hockey at the age of six, growing up in a region of Minnesota where hockey is deeply embedded in community life. His father, Dale, died when Justin was seven years old, and he was subsequently raised by his mother, Gail, alongside his brother David.
Following his father’s death, Faulk has described his mother as the biggest influence on his career. Gail supported her son’s growing commitment to the sport through his childhood, helping him navigate the youth hockey system in South St. Paul. That stable home environment allowed Faulk to focus on his development during his early teenage years.
Path to Hockey
Faulk played prep ice hockey for South St. Paul High School before joining the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) for two seasons. During the 2007–08 campaign, he recorded six goals and 15 assists to earn honorable mention all-conference honors. As a sophomore, he committed to play Division I hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth for the 2010–11 season, having considered the United States Hockey League but ultimately choosing the USNTDP for his development.
Faulk spent the 2010–11 season with the University of Minnesota Duluth, helping the Bulldogs capture the national championship. He also set a new school record for most points in a single season by a freshman defenseman, a mark later broken by Scott Perunovich in 2018. His strong play earned him selections to the All-WCHA Third Team and the All-WCHA Rookie Team.
Justin Faulk Career
Early Career (2011–2013)
On April 15, 2011, Faulk signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, ending his collegiate career. He was immediately assigned to the Hurricanes’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for the remainder of the 2010–11 season and made his professional debut in Game 4 of their first-round Calder Cup series against the Hershey Bears, skating in 13 playoff games and posting two assists.
Faulk made his NHL debut on October 7, 2011, against the Tampa Bay Lightning and scored his first career NHL goal on December 9, 2011, in a 4–2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. He was named to the 2012 NHL All-Rookie Team after leading all Hurricanes skaters in average ice time and ranking first among NHL rookie defensemen in power-play goals. The following season was split between the Checkers and Hurricanes due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, and Faulk finished as the Hurricanes’ team MVP with five goals and 10 assists for 15 points.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2013–2019)
Prior to the 2013–14 season, the Hurricanes were realigned into the new Metropolitan Division, and Faulk again missed time due to the 2014 Winter Olympics, illness, and injury. On March 24, 2014, he signed a six-year, $29 million contract extension with the Hurricanes. He responded with a career-best 2014–15 season, finishing with 15 goals and 49 points and being selected to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. By March 2015, he had surpassed Joni Pitkänen as the highest single-season point total by a Hurricanes defenseman.
Faulk’s production remained strong in 2015–16, when he set a new Hurricanes franchise record for most power-play goals by a defenseman in a season and was named to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. In 2016–17, he set another franchise record for goals by a Hurricanes defenseman in a single season with 17 and played in his 400th career NHL game against the St. Louis Blues. On October 5, 2017, he and Jordan Staal were named co-captains of the Hurricanes, and on February 13, 2018, Faulk recorded his first NHL natural hat trick, becoming only the 10th defenseman in league history to do so.
Faulk was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2018 for his leadership and community contributions. The Hurricanes later named Justin Williams as captain, with Faulk returning to an alternate captain role alongside Jordan Staal. He played his 500th career NHL game on November 24, 2018, against the New York Islanders.
St. Louis Blues Era (2019–Present)
On September 24, 2019, Faulk and a 2020 fifth-round pick were traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Joel Edmundson, Dominik Bokk and a 2021 seventh-round pick. The Blues immediately signed Faulk to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension that began during the 2020–21 season. By February 2020, he had recorded 13 points in 53 games for St. Louis, though the Blues were eliminated in the Western Conference First Round by the Vancouver Canucks.
The following season, Faulk returned to the Blues and missed Game 3 against the Colorado Avalanche after a shoulder hit from forward Nazem Kadri, who was subsequently suspended for eight games. The Blues were eliminated in Game 4 of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. On November 18, 2025, Faulk played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 414th player in league history to reach the milestone.
Driving Style and Strengths
Faulk is recognized for his offensive game from the blue line, particularly his powerful slap shot and effectiveness on the power play. Throughout his career, he has logged heavy minutes in all situations, ranking among his teams’ leaders in average ice time per game. His ability to quarterback a power play and contribute offensively has been a defining feature of his play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Faulk’s career is marked by several signature achievements, including a 2010 NCAA national championship with the University of Minnesota Duluth, three NHL All-Star Game selections, and a franchise-record power-play goal season with Carolina. He recorded the 10th natural hat trick by a defenseman in NHL history in 2018 and reached the 1,000-game milestone in 2025.
Justin Faulk Career Wins
Although individual win totals fluctuate by season, Faulk has built a strong resume anchored by offensive contributions and durability. His career includes a national championship at the collegiate level and a 2010 IIHF World U18 gold medal with the United States.
International Highlights
Faulk helped the United States win gold at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships and bronze at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He represented the United States at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 IIHF World Championships and made his Olympic debut at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he was the youngest player on the Team USA roster at 21 years old.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Faulk was a key contributor on the University of Minnesota Duluth team that captured the 2011 NCAA Division I national championship, setting a school record for points by a freshman defenseman during that run. His offensive play also earned him spots on the All-WCHA Third Team and the All-WCHA Rookie Team in 2010–11.
Justin Faulk Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Faulk was raised primarily by his mother, Gail, after the death of his father, Dale, when Justin was seven. He grew up alongside his brother, David, in South St. Paul, and has credited his mother as the biggest influence on his hockey career.
Personal Life
Faulk has kept much of his personal life private, focusing public attention on his career and community involvement. His selection for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy nomination in 2018 reflected his leadership and contributions off the ice.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Faulk continued in his role as an alternate captain and steady defenseman for the St. Louis Blues. On November 18, 2025, he played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 414th player in league history to reach the mark, a testament to his durability and consistency over parts of 15 NHL seasons.
Faulk’s veteran presence and power-play experience remained valuable assets for a Blues team relying on his two-way play and leadership in the defensive group. Reaching the 1,000-game milestone reinforced his standing as one of the most reliable American defensemen of his generation.