Alexandre Carrier

Alexandre Carrier (born October 10, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 115th overall, by the Nashville Predators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Carrier was born on October 10, 1996 in Quebec City as part of a hockey family. His father, Bernard, played a season for the Drummondville Voltigeurs, while his older brother, Samuel, was a 2010 NHL Entry Draft selection by the Washington Capitals.

Playing career

Carrier first played midget ice hockey in his native Quebec with Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the Ligue de hockey Midget AAA du Québec (QMAAA). He then embarked on a major junior career with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) after being selected fourth overall by the team in the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft. A mobile, two-way defenceman, Carrier posted a breakout campaign in the 2014–15 season, leading to his eventual selection by the Nashville Predators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

During his final QMJHL season with the Olympiques in 2015–16, Carrier was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Predators on November 12, 2015. Appearing in 57 games with Gatineau, he matched his previous best goal output with 12 and contributed 47 total points before being ousted by the Moncton Wildcats in the second-round of that year's QMJHL playoffs.

Carrier was assigned to begin the 2016–17 season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Predators' top affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Making a seamless transition to the AHL ranks, he lead the Admirals' defence core in scoring and earned selection to the 2017 AHL All-Star Game before receiving his first NHL recall on January 13. Shortly thereafter, Carrier made his NHL debut in a 1–0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on January 21. After two scoreless games with Nashville, he was returned to the Admirals for the remainder of the AHL season. Prior to the start of the 2019–20 season, Carrier was named as an assistant captain for Milwaukee.

Following the completion of his entry-level contract, Carrier agreed to a three-year extension with the Predators organization in April 2020. His first career NHL goal came amidst the pandemic-shortened season in the third period of a 6-3 loss versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 13, 2021. He likewise made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut during the Predators' 2021 first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, collecting two assists across six games played.

Securing a full-time roster spot with Nashville ahead of the 2021–22 season, Carrier registered 30 points through 77 games and was named to the annual NHL All-Rookie Team for his efforts. Injuries would plague his 2022–23 season whereas Carrier would be sidelined following a fight with Winnipeg Jets' forward Logan Stanley in a game on January 24, only to suffer a season-ending collarbone fracture upon his return. Despite these setbacks, the Predators opted to re-sign Carrier to a one-year extension on July 1.

In advance of the 2024–25 season, Carrier signed a new three-year, $11.25 million extension with the Predators on July 1, 2024. He was subsequently traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for fellow defenceman Justin Barron on December 18. He immediately joined the team on the road, making his Canadiens debut at Little Caesars Arena two days later versus the Detroit Red Wings.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2011–12	Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois	QMAAA		40	5	25	30	30		11	1	1	2	2
2012–13	Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL		50	2	5	7	28		9	1	0	1	6
2013–14	Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL		67	3	25	28	29		9	1	4	5	4
2014–15	Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL		68	12	43	55	64		11	2	3	5	18
2015–16	Gatineau Olympiques	QMJHL		57	12	35	47	50		10	0	5	5	4
2016–17	Milwaukee Admirals	AHL		72	6	33	39	45		3	0	2	2	0
2016–17	Nashville Predators	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Milwaukee Admirals	AHL		73	4	24	28	52		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Milwaukee Admirals	AHL		76	5	32	37	47		5	0	0	0	2
2019–20	Milwaukee Admirals	AHL		55	5	32	37	44		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Nashville Predators	NHL		3	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Chicago Wolves	AHL		3	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Nashville Predators	NHL		19	1	2	3	8		6	0	2	2	4
2021–22	Nashville Predators	NHL		77	3	27	30	50		4	0	3	3	2
2022–23	Nashville Predators	NHL		43	2	7	9	27		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Nashville Predators	NHL		73	4	16	20	44		6	1	2	3	0
2024–25	Nashville Predators	NHL		28	1	6	7	12		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				245	11	58	69	143		16	1	7	8	6

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013	Canada Quebec	U17	4th		6	0	1	1	10
2013	Canada	IH18			5	0	0	0	0
2014	Canada	U18			7	0	0	0	0
Junior totals					18	0	1	1	10

Awards and honours