Justin Carbonneau, the 19th overall selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, is stepping into his first professional training camp with the St. Louis Blues, determined to turn his junior success into a permanent NHL roster spot.
Over the past three seasons he has piled up 128 goals, including a 51‑goal, 29‑assist campaign in 2024‑25 while playing for the Blainville‑Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
His game is built around a complete 200‑foot approach, a philosophy he adopted after a brief taste of the American Hockey League and one that he continues to refine under the guidance of development coach Matt D'Agostini.
Now he faces a crowded forward group that includes veterans such as Jimmy Snuggerud and emerging talents like Dalibor Dvorsky, Connor McMichael, Oskar Sundqvist, Otto Stenberg, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, Chris Thorburn and Ray Barile, each vying for the limited spots available.
Training Camp Outlook
The Blues’ coaching staff emphasizes depth and adaptability, insisting that every shift in camp will be measured against the team’s standards for readiness and contribution.
Physical conditioning is close to 100 percent, and Carbonneau says he is excited to train, to push his limits and to show that his junior production can translate into NHL performance.
He acknowledges that there is always room to grow, and that the upcoming weeks will be a crucible for testing his readiness and his place on the roster.