Carson Soucy Bio
Carson Soucy is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 137th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2013 NHL entry draft, Soucy began his professional career in 2017 after four seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The 6-foot-5 blueliner has established himself as a physical defensive presence across four NHL organizations, including stints with the Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, and Vancouver Canucks before joining the Rangers in 2025. Soucy is known for his imposing frame, aggressive style of play, and ability to log significant minutes against top opponents.
Early Life and Background
Carson Soucy was born on July 27, 1994, in Viking, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in Irma, Alberta, where his father Mike Soucy played softball, and his older brother Tyson also pursued ice hockey, later playing for the Elk Point Elks of the SaskAlta Senior Hockey League. Soucy developed his early hockey skills competing at the Triple-A midget level until age 18. Despite his background, he was cut from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), a setback that would redirect his career path.
Following his release from the Oil Kings, Soucy played one season of junior A hockey with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He contributed to their 2013 AJHL North Division regular season and playoff titles during that campaign. Beyond hockey, Soucy was a multi-sport athlete who represented Canada as an outfielder on the national junior softball team at the 2012 Junior Men’s Softball World Championship. Upon returning from the tournament, he suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) that caused him to miss significant playing time.
Path to Professional Hockey
Soucy experienced a transformative six-inch growth spurt during his development years, which drew attention from NCAA Division I schools across the United States. He chose to continue his hockey career at the University of Minnesota Duluth, joining the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). His cousin, Parker MacKay, would later join him in Duluth for two seasons. At the Bulldogs, Soucy developed into a reliable two-way defenceman, preparing himself for the professional ranks.
Leading into the 2013 NHL entry draft, Soucy was ranked 137th overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. His strong collegiate performance and physical tools convinced the Minnesota Wild to select him with the 137th overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. The selection marked the beginning of his journey toward becoming an NHL regular.
Carson Soucy Career
Minnesota Wild (2017-2021)
On April 11, 2017, following the conclusion of his four-year collegiate career, Soucy signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild. He was assigned to the Wild’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Wild, for the remainder of the 2016-17 season to gain professional experience. After attending the Wild’s development camp, where the team’s director of player development Brad Bombardir praised his consistent improvement, Soucy began the 2017-18 season with the Iowa Wild.
During his rookie professional season in the AHL, Soucy played 67 games, accumulating 15 points and leading the team with a plus-12 rating. His strong performance earned him a recall to the NHL on April 2, 2018, following an injury to veteran defenceman Ryan Suter. Soucy made his NHL debut that night against the Edmonton Oilers, recording three shots and two hits in 15:26 of ice time. He became the fifth player to make his NHL debut with the Wild that season before being reassigned to Iowa on April 6.
The 2018-19 season saw Soucy spend the entire year in the AHL with Iowa after failing to impress during the Wild’s training camp. He returned the following season with renewed determination, catching the attention of the coaching staff with his aggressive play and improved puck-moving ability. On October 5, 2020, Soucy signed a three-year, $8.25 million contract extension with the Wild, securing his place with the organization through the 2023-24 season.
Seattle Kraken (2021-2023)
On July 21, 2021, Soucy was selected by the Seattle Kraken from the Minnesota Wild during the 2021 NHL expansion draft. The selection marked a new chapter in his career as he joined the NHL’s newest franchise. Soucy became a regular contributor on the Kraken’s blue line during his two seasons in Seattle, providing the physical presence and defensive reliability that had characterized his game throughout his career. His ability to match up against opposing team’s top lines made him a valuable asset for the expansion club.
Vancouver Canucks (2023-2025)
After two seasons with the Kraken, Soucy left Seattle as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2023. He agreed to a three-year contract worth $9.75 million, representing a significant commitment from the Canucks organization. The deal reflected Vancouver’s belief in Soucy’s abilities as a top-four defenceman capable of anchoring their blue line.
During his time with the Canucks, Soucy continued to showcase his defensive prowess and physical style of play. His experience from multiple NHL organizations allowed him to mentor younger defencemen while maintaining his role as a steady, reliable presence on the back end. The Canucks relied on his size and strength to match up against Western Conference opponents.
New York Rangers (2025-Present)
On March 6, 2025, Soucy’s career took another turn when he was traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a conditional 2025 third-round draft pick. Joining a competitive Rangers squad, Soucy brought his defensive acumen and veteran experience to a blue line looking to make a deep playoff run. His transition to a new conference and the high-pressure environment of New York hockey represented the next challenge in his professional journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Soucy uses his imposing frame to dominate opponents along the boards and in front of the net. His physicality makes him particularly effective at separating players from the puck and blocking shooting lanes. Soucy is a left-handed shot who excels in defensive situations, consistently logging tough minutes against opponent’s top lines. His reach allows him to disrupt passes and break up plays effectively, while his improved skating has helped him close gaps and maintain positioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Soucy’s NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers on April 2, 2018, marked a significant milestone in his career, fulfilling the dream he had pursued since being drafted in 2013. The contract extension he signed with the Minnesota Wild in October 2020, worth $8.25 million over three years, validated his progression from a late-round draft pick to a reliable NHL defenceman. His subsequent free-agent deal with Vancouver for $9.75 million further demonstrated his value around the league.
Carson Soucy Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2017 to the present, Soucy has accumulated games played and offensive statistics across the NHL and AHL levels. His journey from the AHL to becoming a regular NHL contributor represents a successful pathway for a player who was not selected until the fifth round of the NHL draft.
NHL Highlights
Soucy made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild on April 2, 2018, against the Edmonton Oilers, marking the culmination of five years of development since his draft selection. Throughout his career, he has played meaningful minutes in all situations, including power play and penalty kill deployments. His ability to stay healthy and remain in the lineup has been a key factor in his continued employment at the NHL level.
Carson Soucy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carson Soucy comes from a family with strong athletic connections. His father Mike Soucy played softball, while his older brother Tyson pursued ice hockey at the senior level. This athletic family background contributed to Soucy’s development as a multi-sport athlete during his youth. Growing up in Irma, Alberta, Soucy had access to the hockey resources and community support that helped him develop his skills despite early setbacks.
Personal Life
Soucy is married to his wife Shyla, and together they have twin daughters. The family aspect of his life has remained relatively private, though Soucy has credited his family support system as an important factor in his professional hockey career. His journey from being cut by a WHL team to becoming an NHL regular demonstrates the perseverance and mental toughness that have defined his career path.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season saw Soucy begin the year with the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the New York Rangers in March 2025. The mid-season trade presented an opportunity for Soucy to join a Rangers team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations. Adapting to a new defensive system and teammates in a high-pressure market required adjustment, but Soucy’s experience from previous team transitions positioned him well for the challenge. The Rangers’ blue line benefited from his physical presence and defensive reliability down the stretch run of the regular season.