St. Louis Blues 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau (left) poses with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in Los Angeles after being selected with the 19th pick. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/de0a9e45-d8f4-4c9d-98db-dfd6b6f7aa60.jpeg] St. Louis Blues 2025 first-round pick Justin Carbonneau (left) poses with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in Los Angeles after being selected with the 19th pick. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) St. Louis Blues [http://thn.com/stlouis] prospect Justin Carbonneau, the No. 19 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, has made his choice and it's a familiar one. The forward has decided to return to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and play for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada next season. The 18-year-old, who was with the Blues for prospect camp last week and made terrific impressions on team management, coaches and notably, the fans, was contemplating a choice between a return to the QMJHL or to play college hockey at Boston College [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/players/st-louis-blues-2025-first-round-pick-looks-like-a-keeper-on-and-off-the-ice-decision-looms-junior-or-boston-college-1]. He made his choice on Friday, announced by the Armada: Carbonneau, who had 89 points (46 goals, 53 assists) in 62 regular-season games last season, projects to play for a squad that will be among the favorites to win the QMJHL and potentially represent a side competing for the Memorial Cup. He conferred with the Blues last week, but ultimately made the decision with his family that it was best to advance his playing career where he's familiar. And by doing so, Carbonneau can attend Blues training camp in September, leaving the options open that there's at least a chance of being a player that can come in and steal an NHL job, or if not, he has that option of going to juniors, something that wouldn't have been available had he chosen the college route. Should Carbonneau somehow made the opening night roster, the Blues can showcase him for nine NHL games before deciding whether he remains with the big club or heads to junior for the season, but it all depends on if he signs an entry-level contract. Stay tuned.
