Samuel Blais
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Samuel "Sammy" Blais (born June 17, 1996) is a Canadian professional
ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
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who is currently with the
Abbotsford Canucks The Abbotsford Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The team began play in the 2021–22 season with home games at Abbotsford Centre as the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the National Hocke ...
of the
American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL). He was drafted by the
St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
in the sixth round, 176th overall, in the 2014 NHL entry draft, and has also played in the
National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
for the Blues and
New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
. He played
junior ice hockey Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from ...
with Trois-Rivières Estacades and Lévis Commandeurs in the
Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League The Ligue de Hockey Junior du Québec (LHJQ) or Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) is a Hockey Québec Canadian Junior A ice hockey league and is a member of Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The winner of the QJHL playoffs c ...
(QMAAA) before entering the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; , LHJMQ), formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The league includes teams in Quebec ...
(QMJHL). He split his time between the Commandeurs and the
Victoriaville Tigres The Victoriaville Tigres are a Canadian junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The team is based in Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins. History The franchis ...
before being selected 176th overall by the
St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Blais spent three seasons in the QMJHL, the latter portion with the
Charlottetown Islanders The Charlottetown Islanders are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They are members of the Maritimes Division, and play their home games at the ...
, before making his professional debut with the
Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team based in Rosemont, Illinois. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena ...
during the 2016–17 season. Carrying his scoring touch from juniors, Blais helped the Wolves reach the postseason in his rookie year before eventually making his NHL debut on October 14, 2017. During his early years with the Blues organization, Blais alternated between the
San Antonio Rampage The San Antonio Rampage were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. The Rampage was primarily owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment throughout the team's existence. In 2020, the franchise was so ...
and St. Louis consistently, resulting in hockey pundits jokingly referring to the highway between the two cities as the ''Sammy Blais Expressway''. As a member of the Blues, Blais helped the team win their first
Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
in franchise history in
2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
.


Early life

Blais was born on June 17, 1996, in
Montmagny, Quebec Montmagny () is a city in the Montmagny Regional County Municipality within the Chaudière-Appalaches region of Quebec, Canada. It is the county seat and had a population, as of the 2021 Canadian census, of 10,999. The city is on the south shore ...
to parents Sébastien and Marie-Josée and siblings Étienne and Florence. His older brother Étienne also plays hockey and last played for the Montmagny Décor Mercier in the Ligue Hockey Côte-Sud. Growing up, he played summer hockey with future NHL player
Daniel Sprong Daniel Sprong (born March 17, 1997) is a Dutch professional ice hockey right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Sprong was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (46th overall) of ...
until they were 10 or 11 years old.


Playing career


Junior

Blais began his
junior ice hockey Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's national junior ice hockey team are the defending champions from ...
career playing with the Rive-Sud Express in Quebec, where he recorded 10 goals with 16 assists in 23 regular season games. He played in the 2008 and 2009
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament () is an annual minor ice hockey event in Quebec City. The tournament was founded in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival, and give an opportunity for international competition to p ...
s with the Rive-Sud Est and later Rimouski. During the summer of 2012, Blais attended the Lévis Commandeurs training camp but failed to make the jump to AAA midget. As this was his second time failing to make the final roster, Blais stated he "thought it was the end of my hockey career." Instead, he caught the attention of general manager Frédéric Lavoie of Trois-Rivières Estacades who, after listening to praise from his assistant Pascal Luneau and scout Jean-Philippe Glaude, signed him to their team. Blais competed with the Trois-Rivieres during the 2012–13 season, where he recorded 16 goals and 24 assists to help them qualify for the
Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League The Ligue de Hockey Junior du Québec (LHJQ) or Quebec Junior Hockey League (QJHL) is a Hockey Québec Canadian Junior A ice hockey league and is a member of Hockey Canada and the Canadian Junior Hockey League. The winner of the QJHL playoffs c ...
(QMAA) playoffs. Blais was originally selected 129th overall in the 2013
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; , LHJMQ), formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The league includes teams in Quebec ...
Entry Draft by the
Victoriaville Tigres The Victoriaville Tigres are a Canadian junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The team is based in Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins. History The franchis ...
but was reassigned to the Commandeurs out of the Tigres' training camp. At the time of his draft selection, Blais stood at 5'9 but was praised for having "undeniable potential for development." After spending the remainder of the 2013–14 season split between the Commandeurs and the Tigres, Blais was chosen in his first year of eligibility by the
St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
in the sixth round, 176th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Blais was unaware he had been drafted and only learned through Twitter. He impressed the coaches during the Blues' Development Camp during the summer and earned an invitation to their training camp in September. Blais rejoined the Tigres for the 2014–15 season where he posted a career high 82 points in 61 games. After losing in the playoffs, Blais signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) with the St. Louis Blues'
American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate, the
Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team based in Rosemont, Illinois. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena ...
, on April 22, 2015. He was eventually released from his contract, and attended the Blues' Prospect Camp in July. He rejoined the Tigres for his final junior season where he led the team in scoring. By November 14, 2015, Blais was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. He produced 40 points in 30 games before he was dealt by the Tigres to the
Charlottetown Islanders The Charlottetown Islanders are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They are members of the Maritimes Division, and play their home games at the ...
on December 20, 2015. Upon his arrival with the Islanders, Blais continued his scoring prowess and spent time on their penalty kill. Blais continued his offensive output in leading the Islanders to finish with a combined 82 points in just 63 games. His scoring helped lead the Islanders to the QMJHL Quarter-finals against the
Shawinigan Cataractes The Shawinigan Cataractes () are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) based in Shawinigan, Quebec. The franchise plays their home games at the Centre Gervais Auto, and were originally known as ...
, where they lost in six games. At the conclusion of the season, Blais was nominated for the teams' Offensive Player of the Year Award and Three Stars Award. When reflecting on his years playing junior hockey, Blais has stated "I was not really a physical player....But when I came into pro hockey, ‘Chief’ (Berube) told me I was a big guy, I could use my shoulders more. I started doing it, and I think it was another aspect to my game. When I started using it, I became a better player. I think that's why I'm in the NHL today."


Professional


St. Louis Blues

Embarking on his professional career, Blais was assigned by the St. Louis Blues to
American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate, the
Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional ice hockey team based in Rosemont, Illinois. They are the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena ...
, for the 2016–17 season. He recorded two shots on goal during his AHL debut on October 14, 2016, against the
Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional ice hockey team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They compete in the American Hockey League (AHL), playing their home games at Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of t ...
and consistently played on a line with Magnus Paajarvi and Wade Megan. While with this pairing, he recorded his first professional goal on November 5, in a 4–2 win over the Griffins. Blais carried over his scoring ability from junior to lead the Wolves in scoring with 26 goals in 75 games. He helped the team qualify for the
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, where they lost in five games to the Griffins in the Central Division Finals. After attending the Blues training camp the following summer, Blais with a strong showing was potentially earmarked to make NHL roster for the 2017–18 season. He played with the Blues for their preseason games, during which he was hit from behind by
Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
forward Tom Wilson. This resulted in Wilson receiving a five-minute major, a game misconduct, and a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety. However, he was among the Blues final cuts and was reassigned to open the season with the
San Antonio Rampage The San Antonio Rampage were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. The Rampage was primarily owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment throughout the team's existence. In 2020, the franchise was so ...
of the AHL. After playing in two games with the Rampage, Blais received his first call-up to the NHL, forcing him to travel cross-country and arrive in Tampa Bay. He made his NHL debut that night on October 14, 2017, in a 2–1 defeat to the
Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...
and recorded his first career NHL goal on November 26, to help the Blues win 6–3 over the
Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
. While playing with the Blues on December 16, against the
Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
, he suffered a lower body injury and missed two weeks to recover. Upon his return to the lineup on January 5, he was reassigned to the Rampage. He played in the AHL alongside
Tage Thompson Tage Nathaniel Thompson (born October 30, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Thompson was selected 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2 ...
and
Zach Sanford Zachary Michael Sanford (born November 9, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Rockford IceHogs in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He w ...
before being recalled for the fifth time to the NHL level on February 19, 2018. Overall, Blais alternated between San Antonio and St. Louis six times throughout the season, resulting in some reporters to joking refer to the highway between the two cities as the ''Sammy Blais Expressway.'' Blais was once again invited to the St. Louis Blues training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, and recorded four goals in four games during their pre-season games. His efforts were noticed and he cracked the Blues' opening night roster against the Winnipeg Jets. His assignment was short-lived as he was reassigned to the Rampage on October 23, 2018, after playing in eight games. He spent nine games at the AHL level, registering two goals and 16 penalty minutes, before earning a recall to the NHL. Once again, Blais spent the season alternating between the AHL and NHL as the Blues qualified for the
2019 Stanley Cup playoffs The 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2018–19 season. The playoffs began on April 10, 2019, after the regular season, and they concluded on June 12, 2019, with the St. Louis Blu ...
. Blais made his playoffs debut in Game 6 of the Second Round of the Western Conference and recorded his first NHL playoff goal to push the series to seven games. Blais and the St. Louis Blues eventually won the
2019 Stanley Cup Finals The 2019 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2018–19 season and the culmination of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion St. Louis Blues defeated the Eastern Confe ...
against the
Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
, to bring St. Louis their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Blais was one of the many members of the Blues' Stanley Cup winning team who returned to their opening night roster for the 2019–20 season. He impressed coach
Craig Berube Craig Berube (; born December 17, 1965) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Chief", Berube played 17 seasons in the NHL f ...
at the beginning of the season and was assigned a top line position alongside
David Perron David Perron (born May 28, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Growing up in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Perron played his junior hockey for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Queb ...
and
Ryan O'Reilly Ryan O'Reilly (born February 7, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey Centre (ice hockey), centre and Captain (ice hockey)#Alternate captains, alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has prev ...
. After playing in 20 games and recording eight points, Blais missed 10 weeks to recover from wrist surgery as a result of an injury suffered during a 3–1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He returned to the Blues lineup on January 28, 2020, for a game against the
Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
, after missing 28 games. While the NHL was suspended due to
COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...
, he signed a two-year, $3 million contract extension with the Blues. When the NHL returned for the 2020–21 season, Blais made the Blues' opening night roster against the
Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
. During the first game of the season, Blais illegally checked Devon Toews's head and was subsequently given a two-minute penalty for elbowing. Following the game, Blais was suspended for two games and forfeited $25,862.06 to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.


New York Rangers

On July 23, 2021, Blais was traded, along with a
2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
second-round pick, to the
New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
in exchange for
Pavel Buchnevich Pavel Andreyevich Buchnevich (; born 17 April 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born and raised in Russia, Buchnevich started playing professional ice hockey at his h ...
. He registered four assists in 14 games before suffering a torn
anterior cruciate ligament The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments (the other being the posterior cruciate ligament) in the human knee. The two ligaments are called "cruciform" ligaments, as they are arranged in a crossed formation. In ...
(ACL) on November 15 against the
New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...
after he was dangerously slew-footed by
P. K. Subban Pernell-Karl Sylvester Subban ( ; born May 13, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Between 2009 and 2022, he played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and ...
. Blais was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.


Return to St. Louis

On February 9, 2023, Blais was traded back to the Blues as part of a package for former teammates Niko Mikkola and
Vladimir Tarasenko Vladimir Andreyevich Tarasenko (; born 13 December 1991) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to playing in the NHL, he played in the system of Sibir Novosibirs ...
. On March 2, Blais was signed to a one-year contract extension.


Abbotsford Canucks

At the conclusion of his contract with St. Louis Blues, Blais ended his second tenure with the club by leaving as a free agent. Un-signed over the summer, Blais later agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks on August 22, 2024. He was simultaneously invited to attend NHL affiliate, the
Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
, 2024 training camp on a
professional tryout A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and skil ...
(PTO). On September 30, Blais was released from the PTO after failing to make the team in camp.


International play

On May 5, 2023, Blais was named to
Canada men's national ice hockey team The Canada men's national ice hockey team (popularly known as Team Canada; ) is the ice hockey team representing Canada internationally. The team ...
at the
2023 IIHF World Championship The 2023 IIHF World Championship was co-hosted by Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia. The tournament was held from 12 to 28 May 2023, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Canada men's national ice hockey team, Canada won ...
where he recorded six goals and two assists in ten games. During the 2023 IIHF World Championship Final, he recorded two goals, including the game-winning goal to help Canada win a gold medal.


Career statistics


Regular season and playoffs


International


Awards and honours


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Blais, Samuel 1996 births Living people Abbotsford Canucks players Canadian ice hockey left wingers Charlottetown Islanders players Chicago Wolves players Hartford Wolf Pack players Ice hockey people from Chaudière-Appalaches People from Montmagny, Quebec New York Rangers players San Antonio Rampage players St. Louis Blues draft picks St. Louis Blues players Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Stanley Cup champions Victoriaville Tigres players 21st-century Canadian sportsmen