William Carrier Bio
William Carrier is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Carrier was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round (57th pick overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Carrier was born on December 20, 1994, in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, and grew up in Pierrefonds, Quebec. His early exposure to hockey included participation in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Deux-Rives. During the 2009–10 season, he played in three games for the midget AAA team Lac Saint-Louis Lions. Carrier was selected in the fourth round, 61st overall, at the 2010 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He recorded his first QMJHL goal on September 10, 2010, in a 3–2 win over the Halifax Mooseheads. Carrier also competed with Team Canada Quebec at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he recorded five points in six games. Leading up to the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he was considered a top-30 prospect. Carrier was ultimately selected by the St. Louis Blues in the second round, 57th overall, and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on August 19, 2013. Carrier’s journey in professional hockey began when he made his NHL debut on November 5, 2016, against the Ottawa Senators, where he also recorded his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 19. He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in February 2014 as part of a larger deal that included multiple players and draft picks. Carrier was left exposed by the Sabres for the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights. He played a significant role in the Golden Knights’ inaugural season, helping the team qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. During the playoffs, he faced challenges, including entering concussion protocol due to an illegal check. Carrier signed a four-year, $5.6 million contract extension with the Golden Knights on February 27, 2020. By the 2022–23 season, he was one of the remaining original members of the Golden Knights, contributing to their success in reaching the Stanley Cup Finals and winning the championship against the Florida Panthers. Following seven seasons with the Golden Knights, Carrier signed a six-year, $12 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 3, 2024. Carrier has also represented Canada internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. He is married to Caroline Vezina, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2020. After the birth of his daughter, he was advised to stay home due to the COVID-19 pandemic suspending play.