An evolving goal scorer has an NHL home in his future. The St. Louis Blues selected forward Justin Carbonneau, 18, with the 19th overall pick Friday night at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Carbonneau is one of the headline prospects who has proven he can put the puck in the back of the net. NHL Central Scouting had the Levis, Quebec native listed as the 16th-best North American skater, 11th among forwards behind the likes of Jack Nesbitt and Lynden Lakovic. Daily Faceoff draft expert Steven Ellis has Carbonneau as the 15th overall prospect heading into the draft, 11th among forwards.

Carbonneau broke into the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, but has spent the majority of his junior career with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. With them, the former Levis Chevalier has been a solid producer, but really bloomed during the 2024-25 season. In 62 games, he posted career highs in goals (46), assists (43) and points (89), finishing third in the QMJHL in goals and second in points, earning league first-team all-star honors. His play helped the Armada finish fourth in the Western Conference, but lost in the first round to the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

Along with his success in the junior ranks, Carbonneau has a little experience on the international stage, playing for Canada White at the 2022 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.

Ellis says there’s a lot to like about Carbonneau’s game, but he does have areas to improve on.

“Great skater? Check,” Ellis wrote. “Excellent shot release? Absolutely. Carbonneau loves to make big, flashy, high-end plays and often comes out on the right side of it. He could probably use his linemates a bit better, but I think his willingness to do whatever it takes to generate offense will pay off in the NHL. Carbonneau needs to work on his shot selection and location, but there’s a ton of potential here for him to become a similar player to Brock Boeser.”