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These days, development camp evaluations can be muted.

At this year’s Blues development camp, most of the on-ice time was spent on individual skills and skating drills, with a 15-minute three-on-three scrimmage capping each day. In previous years, there were five-on-five or four-on-four segments, more hockey resembling game-like action. So this year offered few glimpses into what a player looked like.

That didn’t stop Justin Carbonneau from turning heads.

The Blues’ 2025 first-round pick made an impactful first impression during his first development camp, dropping highlight-reel goals on a daily basis and displaying a physical side to his game despite the laid-back setting.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Carbonneau had “a great camp,� and praised his “directness.�

“Even three on three, he plays with a little bit of snarl,� Armstrong said. “He’s another player that understands where the goals are scored from, and he goes to that area and he’s got skill. I don’t want to overhype him, but he looks like a player that should have been drafted where he was.�

The Blues selected Carbonneau with the 19th pick this summer, taking the player who ranked second in the QMJHL last season in both goals and points. Carbonneau is listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, sporting an advanced frame that has the Blues excited.

“He’s a thicker kid but really a guy that has that strength already on his body that can score goals — he’s one year closer to pro than most kids,� Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said.

“It’s fun to compete out there with these guys, but having all those people talking to us, so much learnings on and off the ice,� Carbonneau said at the conclusion of camp on Thursday afternoon. “Nutrition, workouts, being a good teammate, being positive, doing the details, how to stay in the NHL and chasing greatness. A lot of learnings.�

During the scrimmages, Carbonneau teased his talent.

• On Tuesday, he hit Mikhail Fyodorov at center ice, recovered the puck and then danced around Nikita Susuyev before tucking a forehand.
• On Wednesday, he recovered a puck in the near circle, spun away from Antoine Dorion and then flipped the puck into the net.
• On Thursday, he cut through multiple defenders down the slot in the offensive zone on his way to yet another finish in tight.

And that doesn’t count his pair of outlet passes from his own end: one a saucer pass from the corner to the opposite boards at the far blue line, another a hard quick-up to a teammate in front of the bench.

Asked which play he like the most, it was the goal that started with the hit on Fyodorov.

“Because the first one is how I want to play,� Carbonneau said. “I score goals, I make plays but I do it the hard way. I do it the right way. I’m not scared of anyone, so I get in the corners. My life depends on it.�

Carbonneau was one of three first-round picks at the camp last week, joined by Theo Lindstein (2023) and Adam Jiricek (2024), but he was just one of two 2025 picks at the camp. Fyodorov (fifth round) was there, but Swedish goaltender Love Harenstam (sixth round) was not.

Carbonneau said he liked working on different skills (such as small-area games and rim recoveries) that typically don’t get time in the summer. The Blues also had speakers talk to the prospects, and one day, Peter and Paul Stastny delivered wisdom from their playing days.

“When Peter Stastny came in, one of the best players of all time and he talked, the first thing he said was about being a good teammate, being a good guy in the locker room and show example by how you put others in front,� Carbonneau said. “When one of the best players ever tells you that, I think you have to listen and understand that it’s probably one of the most important things.�

Soon, Carbonneau will announce where he is playing next season, as he’s choosing between going back to the QMJHL with Blainville-Boisbriand and going to college at Boston College. The Blues spoke to him last week about the upcoming decision.

“They told me go one year at a time, not two,� Carbonneau said. “We’ll see what happens, but for me, it’s all about development, getting ready for pro. I think going back to junior, maybe winning a championship, having those playoff experience is a great thing. But also, college, you’re playing against older guys, so you’re getting ready for pro, too. Two good options.�

If Carbonneau picks junior hockey, he will be at Blues training camp in the fall with an outside chance at stealing a roster spot. If he picks college, he won’t be at training camp until he leaves school and signs a contract.

Armstrong stressed that the organization is supportive of either decision, “but when he makes that decision, he has to be 100% in, and it has to be he and his family’s decision.�

“College hockey is beneficial in some ways because of the training,� Armstrong said. “You get to get bigger, stronger, more days in the gym, less games. He’s a big man, though, now. Junior hockey, to me, has a lot of benefits, too. If you’re on a good team, you get seven-game playoff series. In college, it’s one and done.�