The fluorescent lights of the practice rink flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the ice as the Montreal Canadiens gathered for another grueling session. Amid the echo of skates and the sharp crack of pucks, one figure seemed to carry a heavier burden than most. Alexandre Carrier, sweat beading on his brow, moved through drills with the silent intensity of a man haunted by his own expectations—and by the growing chorus of critics outside the glass.

It’s been a season of scrutiny for Carrier, the right-shot defenseman from Quebec City who wears his heart on his sleeve and his bruises on his body. At 29, with a contract that signals trust from management but numbers that fuel debate—one goal, seven assists, and a concerning -10 rating—Carrier has found himself at the center of a storm. The media, the fans, even his own internal voice have all questioned whether he’s lost his edge, whether the game he once commanded so confidently is slipping away.

But in the middle of this maelstrom, an unexpected voice cut through the noise. Martin St-Louis, the Canadiens’ head coach and a legend in his own right, stepped forward—not with harsh words or public rebuke, but with calm, unwavering support. After practice, as reporters pressed Carrier about his struggles, St-Louis offered a message that was both simple and profound: “Alexandre hasn’t forgotten how to play hockey. When your confidence goes down a bit, your reading of the game isn’t as elevated or as effective. You just gotta take a deep breath. Just stay calm and go out there and play, because I love him as a player.”

It was more than a pep talk. It was a public declaration, a signal sent not only to Carrier but to every player in the locker room. In a sport where toughness is measured by blocked shots and bone-rattling hits—Carrier leads the team with 61 blocks, one of the highest totals in the NHL—St-Louis reminded everyone that mental resilience matters just as much as physical courage. The message was clear: criticism may be loud, but faith in a player runs deeper.

Carrier’s own admission to the media was raw and honest. “I think I’m lacking a bit of confidence with the puck on breakouts,” he confessed, “and also a bit of confidence with my feet defensively to neutralize plays.” It’s the kind of vulnerability rarely seen in professional sports, and one that could have left him exposed. Instead, it became the catalyst for St-Louis’s defense—a moment where coach and player stood together against the tide.

As the Canadiens push through a challenging season, every shift on the ice becomes a test, not just of skill but of character. Will Carrier rise to the occasion, transforming doubt into determination? Can St-Louis’s words spark the turnaround that both player and team desperately need?

The answer is far from certain, but one thing is undeniable: when a coach publicly declares his love for a player, the entire organization feels the impact. In a league defined by pressure and performance, sometimes the most powerful move is to simply believe.

Read on to discover the inside story behind Martin St-Louis’s defense of Alexandre Carrier, the statistics fueling the debate, and the next chapter in Montreal’s battle for redemption.

Photo of Martin St-Louis and Alexandre Carrier

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

Martin St-Louis has just defended Alexandre Carrier, even though the defenseman admitted he was not happy with his season.

After practice, Carrier acknowledged to the media that he had been searching for his game a bit over the past few weeks. Asked about it, St-Louis responded calmly, reminding everyone that Alexandre had not forgotten how to play hockey and simply needed to regain his confidence.

“I think I’m lacking a bit of confidence with the puck on breakouts,” he admitted, “and also a bit of confidence with my feet defensively to neutralize plays.” – Carrier

On the scoresheet, however, Carrier’s 2025-26 season remains quite full. At 29 years old, he shows 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points in 24 games, with a -10 rating and 10 penalty minutes.

Where he truly stands out is in blocked shots. Carrier already has 61 since the start of the schedule, a team-high for the Montreal Canadiens and one of the highest totals in the NHL right now.

Martin St-Louis sends a clear message to Alexandre Carrier

Beyond the numbers, context matters. Carrier is a right-shot defenseman, 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds, born in Quebec City, and he is playing the second year of a three-season contract at $3.75 million per year, valid through 2026-27. For a defenseman who plays around 18 minutes per night, that represents an important commitment from the organization.

Habs coach Marty St. Louis today on Alex Carrier, who admitted that he hasn’t personally been satisfied with his season:

“I would just tell him to keep going. Alexandre hasn’t forgotten how to play hockey. When your confidence goes down a bit, your reading of the game isn’t as elevated or as effective. You just gotta take a deep breath. Just stay calm and go out there and play, because I love him as a player.” – St-Louis

Since his arrival, he has strung together tight games, blocked shots, and big shifts on the penalty kill. In public, St-Louis has already called Carrier a “warrior.” Today, he adds another layer to that support by reminding him to breathe, stay calm, and simply play. When a coach takes the time to say he loves a player, that sends a strong signal in a locker room.

Now we wait to see how Carrier responds to this vote of confidence after all the concerns surrounding him.

Given the role he already occupies in the Montreal Canadiens’ defensive group, every shift becomes an opportunity to turn those words into concrete results on the ice.