Sammy Blais

Samuel Blais Bio

Samuel Blais is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays as a winger for the Montreal Canadiens in 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 of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Blais began his NHL career with the Blues and played a significant role in their historic 2019 Stanley Cup victory. Known for his physical play and scoring touch, he has also played for other teams, including a stint with the New York Rangers.

Early Life and Background

Samuel Blais was born in Montmagny, Quebec, to parents Sébastien and Marie-Josée. He has two siblings, Étienne and Florence. His older brother Étienne also pursued a career in hockey, playing for the Montmagny Décor Mercier in the Ligue Hockey Côte-Sud. Growing up, Blais played summer hockey with future NHL player Daniel Sprong until they were around ten years old. Blais began his junior ice hockey career with the Rive-Sud Express in Quebec, where he recorded 10 goals and 16 assists in 23 regular season games. He played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the Rive-Sud Est and later Rimouski.

Path to Hockey

Blais attended the Lévis Commandeurs training camp in the summer of 2012 but did not make the final roster. This setback led him to believe his hockey career might be over. However, he caught the attention of Frédéric Lavoie, the general manager of Trois-Rivières Estacades, who signed him to their team. Blais competed with the Trois-Rivières during the 2012–13 season, recording 16 goals and 24 assists. He was later selected 129th overall in the 2013 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft by the Victoriaville Tigres but was reassigned to the Commandeurs. Blais was eventually drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, unaware of his selection until he learned about it on Twitter.

Samuel Blais Career

Early Career (2016–2017)

Blais began his professional career with the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, during the 2016–17 season. He recorded his first professional goal on November 5, 2016, in a game against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Blais led the Wolves in scoring with 26 goals in 75 games, helping the team qualify for the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs.

Breakthrough (2017–2019)

Blais made his NHL debut on October 14, 2017, against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He recorded his first NHL goal on November 26, 2017, in a game against the Minnesota Wild. Blais played a crucial role in the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory, contributing to the team’s first championship in franchise history.

Notable Works and Milestones

Blais’s signature work includes his performance during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he made his playoff debut and scored his first NHL playoff goal. His contributions helped solidify his place in the Blues’ history.

Samuel Blais Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Samuel Blais has received recognition for his contributions on the ice, particularly during the playoffs.

Samuel Blais Awards Won

Blais was part of the St. Louis Blues team that won the Stanley Cup in 2019, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Samuel Blais Family

Samuel Blais comes from a supportive family background, with his parents and siblings encouraging his hockey pursuits. His brother, Étienne, is also involved in hockey, contributing to a family legacy in the sport.