Samuel Bolduc Bio
Samuel Bolduc (born December 9, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who most recently played for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). A second-round selection of the New York Islanders at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Bolduc spent his formative years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before turning professional. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing roughly 220 pounds, he brings a sizable, defensive-minded presence to the blue line and continues to develop into a reliable two-way contributor at the pro level.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Bolduc was born on December 9, 2000, in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Growing up in a province with a deep passion for hockey, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and quickly progressed through local minor hockey programs. Laval has long been a productive region for elite talent, and Bolduc benefited from a competitive environment that pushed him toward higher levels of play.
His size and skating ability drew the attention of QMJHL scouts during his mid-teens, and he was selected by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2016 QMJHL Entry Draft. Bolduc joined the Armada as a teenager and steadily developed into a steady, defense-first rearguard while balancing junior hockey with his education. His work ethic and willingness to learn allowed him to refine his positional play, physicality, and puck-moving skills during these formative years.
Path to Hockey
Bolduc’s path toward professional hockey accelerated when he was selected 57th overall by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The selection validated his progression through the QMJHL and signaled that NHL organizations viewed him as a long-term defensive prospect. On April 30, 2020, the Islanders signed him to a three-year entry-level contract, officially launching his professional career.
Following his signing, Bolduc was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of New York, where he continued to adjust to the pace and physical demands of pro hockey. During the 2020–21 season, his steady two-way play earned him a spot on the AHL Atlantic-Division All-Star Team, an early milestone that reflected his growing reputation as a dependable defenceman in the Islanders’ system.
Samuel Bolduc Career
Junior Career (2016–2020)
Samuel Bolduc began his major junior career with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL, where he spent the majority of his draft-eligible seasons. Known for his size, mobility, and defensive awareness, he contributed on both special teams and at even strength while logging significant minutes against top opposing lines.
On December 15, 2019, Bolduc was traded mid-season to the Sherbrooke Phoenix, giving him a fresh environment for his final junior campaign. The move allowed him to expand his offensive role and continue showcasing his skating and puck skills. Across four QMJHL seasons, Bolduc established himself as a steady, hard-to-play-against defender, finishing his junior career on a high note just months after hearing his name called at the NHL Draft.
Bridgeport Islanders Era (2020–2023)
Bolduc opened his professional career with the Bridgeport Islanders in 2020–21, adjusting to the speed and structure of the AHL. Despite the challenges of a condensed season, his reliable defensive play earned him a selection to the 2020–21 AHL Atlantic-Division All-Star Team, a notable early honour for a young defenceman in his first full professional year.
His development continued in subsequent AHL seasons, and on January 23, 2023, Bolduc made his NHL debut with the New York Islanders in a 5–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Less than three weeks later, on February 7, 2023, he scored his first NHL goal against the Seattle Kraken, a game-winning marker in a 4–0 Islanders victory. He finished the 2022–23 NHL season with two goals and three points in 17 games, also appearing in two of New York’s playoff contests. He was also selected to represent Bridgeport at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic as the club’s lone representative, capping a strong individual season.
Return to the Islanders (2023–2025)
On June 20, 2023, Bolduc signed a two-year contract extension with the New York Islanders, signaling the organization’s continued belief in his long-term potential. He split time between New York and Bridgeport, serving as a depth defenceman who could be called up when needed and provide steady play on the back end.
During the 2024–25 season, however, his role was limited, as he featured in just one regular-season NHL game. Despite the limited ice time at the top level, Bolduc remained a steady presence in Bridgeport, where his defensive game and leadership among younger blueliners were valued contributions to the AHL club.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2025–Present)
At the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, Bolduc left the New York Islanders as a free agent. On July 2, 2025, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings, opening a new chapter in his career. The deal positioned him to compete for NHL roster opportunities while also providing depth and experience for the organization’s AHL affiliate in Ontario.
Bolduc was assigned to the Ontario Reign of the AHL, where his size, skating, and defensive reliability make him a strong fit for the Kings’ development pipeline. The move offered a fresh start and a clearer path toward regular NHL minutes within a new organizational system.
Driving Style and Strengths
Off the ice and on the blue line, Bolduc is recognized for his 6-foot-4 frame, smooth skating stride, and positional discipline. He uses his size to win battles along the boards and clear creases in front of his goaltender, while his mobility allows him to transition the puck and join the rush when opportunities arise. Coaches have praised his willingness to play a simple, defense-first game and his ability to log heavy minutes against top competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Bolduc’s career came on February 7, 2023, when he netted his first NHL goal — a game-winner against the Seattle Kraken in a 4–0 Islanders victory. Additional milestones include his selection to the 2020–21 AHL Atlantic-Division All-Star Team, his inclusion in the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic, and his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs in January 2023.
Samuel Bolduc Career Highlights
Across his professional career, Samuel Bolduc has been recognized for steady, defense-first play at both the AHL and NHL levels. While his NHL résumé remains young, his contributions in Bridgeport and his memorable first NHL goal have marked him as a developing defenceman with a clear path toward a larger role.
NHL Highlights
In limited NHL action, Bolduc has registered his first career goal and three points across 17 regular-season games with the New York Islanders, along with two playoff appearances. His first NHL point, scored against the Seattle Kraken, remains a career highlight and a sign of his offensive upside from the back end.
AHL and Junior Highlights
In the AHL, Bolduc earned selection to the 2020–21 Atlantic-Division All-Star Team and represented the Bridgeport Islanders at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic. His QMJHL career with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada and Sherbrooke Phoenix laid the foundation for his professional trajectory, with a mid-season trade to Sherbrooke in December 2019 helping to shape his final junior year.
Samuel Bolduc Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Public information about Samuel Bolduc’s parents and immediate family remains limited, and he has not publicly shared extensive details about his family background. Growing up in Laval, Quebec, he was raised in a region with a strong hockey culture that supported his development through minor hockey and into the QMJHL.
Personal Life
Bolduc is known to keep his personal life largely private, and there are no publicly verified details regarding a spouse, partner, or children. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career as he transitions into the Los Angeles Kings organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a transitional period for Samuel Bolduc. He began the year still within the New York Islanders system, appearing in limited NHL action during the 2024–25 season. With his role reduced, the organization allowed him to explore new opportunities as a free agent at season’s end.
On July 2, 2025, Bolduc signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings, marking the most significant change of his 2025 campaign. The agreement positioned him with the Ontario Reign of the AHL, where he is expected to play a top-four defensive role and continue pushing for NHL recall opportunities with the Kings.
Looking ahead, Bolduc enters the new organizational structure focused on earning a consistent NHL roster spot. His combination of size, skating, and defensive responsibility gives him a clear development path within the Kings’ system, and a strong showing in Ontario could quickly translate into additional NHL games in Los Angeles.