Justin Faulk

While playing prep hockey for South St. Paul High School, Faulk committed to play Division 1 hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth for the 2010–11 season.[1]

Faulk spent the 2010–11 season playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth, helping them capture the national championship. During this season, Faulk set a new school record for most points in a single season by a freshman defenseman. His record was later beaten by Scott Perunovich in 2018.[2] Faulk was then named to the All-WCHA Third Team and All-WCHA Rookie Team.[3]

On April 15, 2011, Faulk was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to a three-year entry-level contract.[4] Faulk scored his first NHL goal on December 9, 2011 against Chris Mason of the Winnipeg Jets.[5] In 2012, Faulk was selected as the lone Hurricanes representative to the NHL All-Star Game's YoungStar showcase, where he participated in the Hardest Shot competition.[6] In the 2014–15 season, Faulk was recognized with his first selection as an All-Star, playing for "Team Toews" at the 2015 NHL All-Star Game.[7]

On October 5, 2017, Faulk and Jordan Staal were named co-captains of the Hurricanes.[8] On February 13, 2018, Faulk recorded his first NHL natural hat trick becoming only the 10th defenceman in NHL history to score one.[9] On April 23, 2018, Faulk was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and gives back to his community.[10] Instead of staying with co-captaincy the following season, the Hurricanes decided to name Justin Williams as captain; Faulk was named an alternate captain alongside Jordan Staal.[11]

On September 24, 2019, Faulk and a 2020 fifth-round pick were traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Joel Edmundson, Dominik Bokk and a 2021 seventh-round pick. The Blues immediately signed Faulk to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension, which will begin during the 2020–21 season.[12]