Sammy Blais Bio
Samuel Blais is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a winger for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on June 17, 1996, in Montmagny, Quebec, he was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round, 176th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing roughly 205 pounds, Blais has built his reputation on a physical, energetic style combined with a reliable scoring touch.
Blais began his NHL career with the Blues and played a meaningful role in their historic 2019 Stanley Cup victory, the franchise’s first championship. Across his career, he has also suited up for the New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Known for his forechecking, work ethic, and willingness to engage physically, he continues to compete at the highest level of professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Blais was born on June 17, 1996, in Montmagny, Quebec, to parents Sébastien and Marie-Josée. He grew up alongside an older brother, Étienne, and a sister, Florence. His brother Étienne also pursued hockey, most recently playing for the Montmagny Décor Mercier in the Ligue Hockey Côte-Sud. From a young age, the sport became a central part of family life in the Blais household, with neighborhood rinks and summer games shaping early routines.
As a child, Blais played summer hockey alongside future NHL player Daniel Sprong until they were about 10 or 11 years old. He later joined the Rive-Sud Express in Quebec, where he posted 10 goals and 16 assists in 23 regular-season games. Blais also participated in the prestigious Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments in 2008 and 2009, representing both Rive-Sud Est and Rimouski. These formative experiences gave him a foundation in competitive play before he entered teenage ranks.
Path to Hockey
Blais’s progression through junior hockey was anything but straightforward. During the summer of 2012, he attended the Lévis Commandeurs training camp but failed to make the jump to AAA midget. Having been cut for a second time, Blais admitted he thought his hockey career might be over. That outlook changed quickly when Frédéric Lavoie, general manager of the Trois-Rivières Estacades, signed him after hearing positive reports from assistant Pascal Luneau and scout Jean-Philippe Glaude.
With the Estacades during the 2012–13 season, Blais recorded 16 goals and 24 assists, helping the club qualify for the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QMAAA) playoffs. He was then selected 129th overall by the Victoriaville Tigres in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft but was reassigned to the Commandeurs after their training camp. Standing 5 feet 9 inches at the time, Blais was praised for his undeniable potential. After splitting 2013–14 between the Commandeurs and the Tigres, he was chosen 176th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2014, unaware of the selection until he saw it on Twitter.
Sammy Blais Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
After being drafted, Blais rejoined the Victoriaville Tigres for the 2014–15 season and posted a career-high 82 points in 61 games. Following a playoff exit, he signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the St. Louis Blues’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, on April 22, 2015. After a stint in the Blues’ Prospect Camp, he returned to the Tigres for his final junior season, leading the team in scoring before being dealt to the Charlottetown Islanders on December 20, 2015. He had signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues earlier that November.
With Charlottetown, Blais combined for 82 points in 63 games and contributed on the penalty kill. He was nominated for the Islanders’ Offensive Player of the Year Award and Three Stars Award. Reflecting on his development, Blais credited coach Craig Berube for helping him embrace a more physical game, noting that using his size became a defining feature of his professional style.
St. Louis Blues Breakthrough (2016–2021)
Blais began his professional career with the Chicago Wolves in 2016–17, recording two shots on goal in his AHL debut on October 14, 2016, against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Skating alongside Magnus Pääjärvi and Wade Megan, he scored his first professional goal on November 5 in a 4–2 win over the Griffins. He led the Wolves with 26 goals in 75 games and helped the team reach the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs.
Blais made his NHL debut on October 14, 2017, in a 2–1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and tallied his first NHL goal on November 26 in a 6–3 win over the Minnesota Wild. He bounced between the San Antonio Rampage and St. Louis six times during 2017–18, prompting media to dub the highway between the two cities the “Sammy Blais Expressway.” After earning a roster spot for 2018–19, he helped the Blues capture the 2019 Stanley Cup, scoring his first playoff goal in Game 6 of the Second Round against the Sharks. In the 2019 Finals against the Boston Bruins, St. Louis won its first championship in franchise history.
New York Rangers Era (2021–2023)
On July 23, 2021, Blais was traded, along with a 2022 second-round pick, to the New York Rangers in exchange for Pavel Buchnevich. He registered four assists in 14 games before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament on November 15, 2021, against the New Jersey Devils after being slew-footed by P. K. Subban. The injury ended his 2021–22 season. On February 9, 2023, he was traded back to the Blues as part of a package that sent Niko Mikkola and Vladimir Tarasenko to New York.
Return to St. Louis and Abbotsford (2023–2025)
Blais signed a one-year contract extension with the Blues on March 2, 2023, before his second stint ended when he became an unrestricted free agent. He agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks on August 22, 2024, while attending Vancouver Canucks training camp on a professional tryout. Released from the PTO on September 30, he won the Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks on June 23, 2025. In May 2023, Blais represented Canada at the IIHF World Championship, registering six goals and two assists in ten games and scoring twice, including the game-winner, in the gold-medal final.
Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2025–Present)
On July 1, 2025, Blais signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. Before appearing in a game for Montreal, he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 6, 2025, reuniting him with former Blues head coach Craig Berube. After eight games and three points with the Leafs, Blais was again placed on waivers and reclaimed by the Canadiens in late November, immediately joining their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blais is widely recognized for his physicality, forechecking intensity, and willingness to engage along the boards. His combination of size and skating ability allows him to win puck battles and create turnovers, while his offensive instincts have produced consistent scoring at every level. Coach Craig Berube has been a key mentor, encouraging Blais to embrace the physical side of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blais’s career highlights include his 2019 Stanley Cup win with the St. Louis Blues, his first NHL playoff goal in the 2019 Second Round, and a Calder Cup championship with the Abbotsford Canucks in 2025. He also captured gold with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, scoring the championship-winning goal.
Sammy Blais Career Wins
Across the NHL, AHL, and international stage, Samuel Blais has built a résumé anchored by team success. His most prominent victories include the 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, the 2025 Calder Cup with the Abbotsford Canucks, and a gold medal with Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
NHL and International Highlights
Blais was a contributor on the St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup-winning roster, appearing in the postseason and scoring a key playoff goal. In May 2023, he represented Canada at the IIHF World Championship, finishing with eight points in ten games and scoring twice in the gold-medal final, including the game-winner. These achievements reflect his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NHL, Blais helped the Chicago Wolves reach the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs and later anchored the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup title in 2025. His scoring touch, first showcased in junior hockey, has remained a constant throughout his professional journey.
Sammy Blais Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Blais was raised in Montmagny, Quebec, by parents Sébastien and Marie-Josée alongside his brother Étienne and sister Florence. Étienne also pursued hockey, most recently playing for Montmagny Décor Mercier in the Ligue Hockey Côte-Sud. The family’s support played an important role in Samuel’s development.
Personal Life
Public details about Blais’s personal life remain limited. He is known to be a Canadian citizen who grew up in Quebec and continues his professional hockey career in North America.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been eventful for Samuel Blais, marked by a change of scenery and a championship. He signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1, 2025, but was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 6, reuniting him with Craig Berube. After eight games and three points with Toronto, he was again waived and reclaimed by the Canadiens, who assigned him to the Laval Rocket.
Earlier in the year, Blais helped the Abbotsford Canucks capture the Calder Cup on June 23, 2025, adding a major AHL title to his résumé. His veteran presence and physical style remain valuable as he looks to re-establish himself at the NHL level.
Looking ahead, Blais will aim to carve out a consistent role with the Montreal Canadiens organization while continuing to contribute with the Laval Rocket when needed. His blend of experience, physicality, and scoring instincts suggests he can remain a useful depth forward in the NHL.