Cup-winning Carrier brings consistency to Canes playoff run

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Reliability has been William Carrier’s calling card throughout his NHL journey.

Throughout his nine NHL seasons, the 30-year-old has been a dependable presence in a bottom-six role, no matter the team or the moment.

It’s a role the Carolina Hurricanes forward embraces – and excels in.

“Every player has an important role to play, whether it’s scoring goals, stopping them, or anything in between,” said Carrier, who was selected 57th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2013. “There is always something you can do to make a difference.”

Carrier has done just that – logging 456 regular-season games and 85 more so far in the playoffs.

His forte lies in physicality and disruptive forechecking.

Despite missing three months with a lower-body injury and playing only 43 regular-season games in 2024-25, Carrier still led the Hurricanes with 156 hits – an average 18.55 hits per 60 minutes.

When he returned to action on April 12, he picked up right where he left off with a big hit less than two minutes into the matchup against the New York Rangers. Carrier picked up three more hits along with a primary assist in the eventual 7-3 win for the Canes.

"Had to see if it was going to hold," Carrier quipped to the media after the game. "You're never sure until you get out there as you can't really test it out in practice. Can't hit your own guy. So, it was nice to get out there and get a few in."

Carrier brought that same energy over his seven seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, too.

In 2022-23, he scored a personal NHL-best 16 goals in the regular season and two goals and six points in 18 playoff games as Vegas won its first Stanley Cup.

“You learn a lot about yourself over a long Cup run,” said Carrier, who signed a six-year free agent contract with the Hurricanes in July 2024.

What was the most valuable lesson he took from that Stanley Cup run?

“Every shift can be the difference maker in a playoff game – can’t take a breather at any point.”

It’s how Carrier is approaching this year’s postseason with the Hurricanes.

Through four games in Carolina’s First Round series against the New Jersey Devils – the Hurricanes lead the matchup 3-1 – Carrier has delivered 15 hits.

“The main goal is for the line to score a goal without giving up any scoring chances,” said Carrier. “As long as you are able to do something positive – that’s what you aim for each shift.”   

Selected by Vegas in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Carrier has since found a good fit with Carolina – a team that’s made three conference semifinal appearances in the past four seasons, including an Eastern Conference Finals run in 2023, and has never lost a playoff round when leading a series 3-1.

Carrier was quick to pick up on a particular team trait just a few games into his time with the Hurricanes.

“You could tell coming in that this team had a lot of playoff experience,” said Carrier, who earned bronze with Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF Under-18 World Championships. “There was a certain calmness to how the team played. That gives you a lot of confidence.”

It’s something that can be seen in how Carrier carries himself in the chase for glory.

“It takes a lot of things to win it all. You need to be able to ride the ups and downs from game-to-game in the playoffs and maintain your confidence.

“These are the moments you play for.”