William Carrier Bio
William Carrier is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in LaSalle, Quebec, Carrier was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round, 57th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and later signed a long-term deal with the Hurricanes in 2024. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 213 pounds, he has built his career as a dependable power forward known for his physical presence.
Early Life and Background
William Carrier was born on December 20, 1994, in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, but grew up in Pierrefonds, Quebec. As a youth player, he competed in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team representing Deux-Rives. During the 2009–10 season, he appeared in three games for the Lac Saint-Louis Lions, a midget AAA program that helped shape his early development. These early experiences in Quebec’s competitive minor hockey system laid the groundwork for his transition into major junior hockey.
Coming from a province with a deep hockey tradition, Carrier was surrounded by the sport from a young age. His progression through local and regional programs gave him the foundation needed to earn a spot in one of Canada’s top junior leagues. His size and skill combination quickly drew the attention of scouts across the country.
Path to Hockey
Carrier entered the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) when he was selected in the fourth round, 61st overall, by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at the 2010 QMJHL Draft. He scored his first QMJHL goal on September 10, 2010, in a 3–2 win over the Halifax Mooseheads. The following year, he represented Team Canada Quebec at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, recording five points in six games.
As the 2013 NHL Entry Draft approached, Carrier was regarded as a top-30 prospect, with Hockey Canada’s head scout Kevin Prendergast attending games specifically to evaluate him. After being passed over in the first round, the St. Louis Blues selected him 57th overall. On August 19, 2013, Carrier signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues. Shortly after, on January 7, 2014, the Screaming Eagles traded him along with Matthew Donnelly to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Less than two months later, on February 28, 2014, the Blues traded his NHL rights, along with Chris Stewart, Jaroslav Halák, and draft picks, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for goaltender Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott.
William Carrier Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Following his trade to the Buffalo Sabres organization, Carrier continued his development in the American Hockey League before reaching the NHL. He made his NHL debut on November 5, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators and recorded his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19, 2016. His early games with the Sabres showed glimpses of the power-forward potential that had made him a draft pick. In December 2016, he was involved in a notable incident when he was penalized for an illegal check to the head on Boston Bruins forward David Backes, who suffered a concussion as a result.
Buffalo to Vegas (2017–2024)
After being left exposed by the Sabres for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Carrier was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017. He quickly became part of the team’s inaugural roster and helped them qualify for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. During the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, he entered concussion protocol following an illegal check to the head by Drew Doughty. The following season, on February 27, 2020, Carrier signed a four-year, $5.6 million contract extension with the Golden Knights, cementing his role within the organization.
By the 2022–23 season, Carrier was one of only six remaining original members of the Golden Knights, alongside Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore. That year, the team reached the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in franchise history and defeated the Florida Panthers in five games to win the Stanley Cup. The championship was the highlight of Carrier’s tenure in Vegas, where he spent seven seasons establishing himself as a physical, reliable forward.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2024–Present)
Following his time with the Golden Knights, Carrier signed a six-year, $12 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 3, 2024, joining the team as a free agent. The deal represented a fresh chapter in his career and a move to one of the NHL’s most competitive rosters. He has continued to serve as a physical bottom-six forward, bringing energy and toughness to the Hurricanes’ lineup.
Driving Style and Strengths
While hockey forwards are not typically described in driving terms, Carrier’s on-ice identity is built around a powerful skating stride, strong board play, and a willingness to deliver and absorb hits. He excels in physical matchups and forechecking situations, using his 6-foot-2 frame to win puck battles along the walls. His game is best suited to playoff-style hockey, where his size and relentless energy provide a consistent edge.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of William Carrier’s career came in 2023 when he won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights. He was also a member of Team Canada that won a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World U-18 Championships. His selection by the Golden Knights in the 2017 Expansion Draft marked the beginning of his rise from depth forward to championship contributor.
William Carrier Career Wins
William Carrier’s career win totals reflect a player who has contributed as a complementary piece on competitive rosters rather than as a top-line scorer. His most significant team victory is the 2023 Stanley Cup championship with the Vegas Golden Knights. Throughout his time in the NHL, he has been recognized for his postseason durability and his ability to perform in physical playoff series.
NHL Playoff Highlights
Carrier has been part of multiple deep playoff runs, including the Golden Knights’ run to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals in their inaugural season and their championship victory in 2023. While individual win totals in the playoffs vary by series, his presence on the ice during critical moments helped establish Vegas as a perennial contender. His Stanley Cup ring remains the most celebrated achievement of his professional career.
Other Performances
Internationally, Carrier won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U-18 Championships, an early indicator of his international potential. In the QMJHL, he posted strong numbers with both the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Drummondville Voltigeurs, building the offensive foundation that eventually translated to the NHL level.
William Carrier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
William Carrier was raised in a hockey-focused family environment in Quebec, though specific details about his parents are not widely documented in public sources. His Quebec roots and early immersion in the province’s strong hockey culture played a key role in shaping his path to the professional game.
Personal Life
William Carrier is married to Caroline Vezina. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to suspend NHL play. Carrier spent the early portion of the pandemic’s pause at home with his newborn daughter and wife, a period he has since described as meaningful time with his growing family.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, William Carrier is firmly established in his role with the Carolina Hurricanes following his July 2024 signing. The Hurricanes are expected to remain among the Eastern Conference’s top contenders, with Carrier providing physicality and depth scoring in their bottom six. His familiarity with the team’s system and his championship experience from Vegas position him as a valuable locker-room presence.
As the 2024–25 season unfolds, Carrier’s role is likely to focus on energy-line deployment, penalty killing, and playoff-style physical play. The Hurricanes’ depth and structure should give him consistent opportunities to contribute in tight matchups. His long-term contract runs through 2030, suggesting the organization views him as a core piece of its identity rather than a short-term addition.
Looking ahead, Carrier’s goals for 2025 include staying healthy, continuing to deliver in the postseason, and helping the Hurricanes make a sustained Stanley Cup run. With his combination of size, experience, and toughness, he remains a player who thrives when the games grow more physical and the stakes grow higher.