Carey Price

Early Life and Family

Carey Price was born in Vancouver to Lynda and Jerry Price. His mother, Lynda, is a member of the Ulkatcho First Nation and previously served as its chief. His father, Jerry, was also a goaltender, selected 126th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1978 NHL amateur draft, though he never played in the league and later worked as a goaltending coach for the Tri-City Americans. When Carey was three years old, the family relocated to the remote community of Anahim Lake in central British Columbia, where his maternal grandfather had lived. The isolation of Anahim Lake meant that organized hockey was a significant distance away, requiring a ten-hour round trip to Williams Lake for practices and games. To manage this, Jerry Price eventually purchased a small aircraft, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, to fly his son to and from the rink, demonstrating the family's commitment to his early development.

Junior and Minor Professional Career

Price began his major junior career with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL), making his debut during the 2002-03 season. He secured a full-time role as the backup in 2003-04, posting a 2.38 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in 28 games. He became the team's primary starter the following season, leading the WHL with 63 games played and recording a 2.34 GAA and .920 save percentage. Despite a statistical dip in the 2005-06 season, Price rebounded spectacularly in his final junior campaign in 2006-07, winning the Del Wilson Trophy as the WHL's top goaltender and the CHL Goaltender of the Year award. His performance made him a highly regarded prospect, and the Montreal Canadiens selected him fifth overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, a pick that surprised some observers given the team's established goaltending at the time. Following Tri-City's playoff exit in 2007, Price joined the Canadiens' American Hockey League affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, for their Calder Cup playoff run. In a stunning professional debut, he led the Bulldogs to their first championship, posting a 2.06 GAA and .936 save percentage in the playoffs and winning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP, one of only three teenage goaltenders to achieve the feat.

Montreal Canadiens Career

Price made his highly anticipated NHL debut on October 10, 2007, earning a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After beginning the 2007-08 season in a backup role, he assumed the starting position following the trade of Cristobal Huet and finished the year leading all rookies in wins (24), save percentage (.920), and shutouts (3), earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team. He backstopped the Canadiens to a first-round playoff victory over Boston, recording two shutouts, including one in Game 7. The early promise was followed by periods of challenge, including losing the starting job to Jaroslav Halák during the Canadiens' unexpected run to the 2010 Eastern Conference Final. In the summer of 2010, the Canadiens committed to Price as their long-term starter, trading Halák and signing Price to a two-year contract. He rewarded that faith with a career-best 38-win season in 2010-11 and his second All-Star selection. After missing the playoffs in 2012, Price signed a six-year, $39 million contract extension in July 2012. The 2013-14 season saw a return to form, with Price posting a 2.32 GAA and .927 save percentage and leading Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final, where a collision with Chris Kreider ended his playoffs prematurely due to injury.

Historic 2015 Season and Later Career

The 2014-15 season represents the pinnacle of Carey Price's individual career, a campaign of historic dominance. He led the NHL in wins (44), goals-against average (1.96), and save percentage (.933), while sharing the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals allowed. At the season's end, he achieved a rare sweep of the league's major awards, winning the Hart Memorial Trophy as most valuable player, the Vezina Trophy as best goaltender, the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding player as voted by his peers, and the Jennings Trophy. He became only the second player in Canadiens history to win four individual awards in one season. Injuries, however, began to take a toll. A knee injury suffered in November 2015 limited him to just 12 games that season. He returned to be a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2016-17. In July 2017, Price signed an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid goaltender in the league at the time. On March 12, 2019, with a win over Detroit, he surpassed Jacques Plante to become the Canadiens' all-time leader in career wins. His final great team achievement came in the pandemic-altered 2021 playoffs, where he posted a .924 save percentage and led the underdog Canadiens on an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final, their first since 1993, before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. Persistent knee issues ultimately limited his play, and he last appeared in the 2021-22 season, winning the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication.

Carey Price played 15 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, establishing a record of longevity and excellence. He is the franchise's all-time leader in wins for a goaltender with 361 career victories. His standout 2014-15 season saw him lead the NHL in wins, goals against average, and save percentage. That season he won the Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, and Jennings trophies, a historic achievement.

In the NHL playoffs, Carey Price appeared in 92 games for the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded 43 wins, 8 shutouts, a 2.39 goals against average, and a .919 save percentage. A defining chapter of his legacy was the 2021 postseason, where he led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final. The team ultimately lost in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it was their first Final appearance since 1993.

International Career

Carey Price represented Canada with distinction at multiple levels of international competition, building a resume of major championships. His early international experience included a silver medal at the 2004 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and a silver medal at the 2005 IIHF World U18 Championships. His first major gold medal came at the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden, where he was named the tournament's best goaltender, an all-star, and most valuable player. Price's crowning international achievement was at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. As Canada's starting goaltender, he was flawless, posting a 5-0 record with a 0.59 goals-against average, a .972 save percentage, and two shutouts, backstopping the team to a gold medal and earning recognition as the tournament's top goaltender. Two years later, he was again in net for Team Canada as they went undefeated to win the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. These performances on the world's biggest stages solidified his reputation as a clutch performer for his country.

Honours, Awards, and Hall of Fame

Throughout his career, Carey Price accumulated a vast collection of individual and team honours that highlight his elite status. Beyond his NHL trophy case, he received significant national recognition, winning the Lou Marsh Award (now Northern Star Award) as Canada's athlete of the year and the Lionel Conacher Award as Canada's male athlete of the year in 2015. In 2016, he was honoured with the Indspire Sports Award for Indigenous achievement. In 2024, he received an Honorary Law Degree from the University of Northern British Columbia. The ultimate recognition came on June 24, 2024, when he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, in just his second year of eligibility. He will be inducted alongside Patrice Bergeron, Pekka Rinne, Keith Tkachuk, and Cindy Curley in a ceremony scheduled for November 9, 2026, in Toronto. His major awards and achievements include the following.

• Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP): 2015
• Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender): 2015
• Ted Lindsay Award (Outstanding Player): 2015
• William M. Jennings Trophy: 2015 (shared)
• NHL First All-Star Team: 2015
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: 2022
• Olympic Gold Medal: 2014
• World Cup of Hockey Championship: 2016
• World Junior Gold Medal: 2007
• Calder Cup (AHL) Championship: 2007
• Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee: Class of 2026

Playing Style and Legacy

Carey Price was renowned for his calm, economical, and technically superb butterfly style of goaltending. Possessing ideal size and athleticism, he was celebrated for his positional soundness, exceptional puck-tracking, and ability to make difficult saves appear routine. His technique, particularly his movement, post play, and rebound control, was widely studied and emulated by goaltenders at all levels. Beyond statistics, his legacy is deeply intertwined with the Montreal Canadiens franchise, where he holds the records for most games played and wins by a goaltender, surpassing legends like Jacques Plante and Patrick Roy. For over a decade, he was the central figure and most recognizable face of the team, bearing the immense pressure of playing goal in Montreal with a steady demeanour. His 2021 playoff run, which captured the imagination of the hockey world, and his historic 2015 season are indelible parts of NHL history. His election to the Hockey Hall of Fame confirms his place among the all-time greats at his position and as one of the most important Canadian hockey players of the 21st century.

Questions about Carey Price

Did Carey Price win a Stanley Cup?

No, Carey Price never won the Stanley Cup as a player. His closest opportunity came in 2021 when he backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final, their first appearance since 1993. The Canadiens were defeated in the final series by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. He did, however, win a Calder Cup championship in the American Hockey League with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2007.

Is Carey Price in the Hockey Hall of Fame?

Yes, Carey Price was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player in 2024 as part of the Class of 2026. This honour came in just his second year of eligibility. He will be formally inducted at a ceremony in Toronto on November 9, 2026. This recognition celebrates his 15 season NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, where he became the franchise's all time winningest goaltender. His historic 2015 season, where he won the Hart, Vezina, Ted Lindsay, and Jennings Trophies, is a key part of his Hall of Fame legacy.

How many wins does Carey Price have?

Carey Price recorded 361 wins in the NHL regular season, all with the Montreal Canadiens. This total is the most in Canadiens franchise history, surpassing the previous record held by Jacques Plante. He achieved this milestone over 712 regular season games played. His career statistics also include 261 losses, 79 overtime losses, and 49 shutouts. In the postseason, Price added 43 victories across 92 playoff games during his career.

Where did Carey Price grow up?

Carey Price was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. When he was three years old, his family relocated to the remote town of Anahim Lake in central British Columbia. To play organized hockey, he had to travel over five hours by car to Williams Lake, a 320 kilometre journey on Highway 20. His father eventually bought a small airplane, a Piper PA 28 Cherokee, to fly him to practices and games, significantly shortening the lengthy round trip he made multiple times per week.

What is Carey Price's Indigenous heritage?

Carey Price's Indigenous heritage comes from his mother, Lynda Price, who is a member of the Ulkatcho First Nation. She previously served as the chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation. His maternal grandfather, James Holte, was a Norwegian Canadian who was born in Anahim Lake. Price's background and status as a elite athlete have made him a prominent role model in Indigenous communities across Canada throughout his professional career.

Sources and further reading

• Carey Price (Wikipedia)
• 2026 Induction Celebration: Carey Price (hhof.com)
• Carey Price, Patrice Bergeron headline Hockey Hall of ... (cbc.ca)
• Hockey Hall of Fame 2026: Carey Price and Pekka Rinne (ingoalmag.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-25.