Carson Soucy Makes a Statement at MSG, Nets First Islanders Goal Against Former Team
Talk about making a first impression.
In his first game back at Madison Square Garden - and his first time facing the team that just traded him - Carson Soucy wasted no time introducing himself to Islanders fans in the best way possible. The veteran defenseman notched his first goal in blue and orange, and fittingly, it came against the Rangers in a gritty 2-1 win. As a cherry on top, Soucy earned the team’s coveted Iron Man mask, a postgame honor awarded to the player of the game.
“Happy for Carson,” Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said. “He’s been playing so well. The guys gave him the player of the game, and certainly well deserved.”
The goal itself? Not the stuff of highlight reels, but exactly the kind of play that coaches love and teammates respect.
Late in the second period, with the game still scoreless, Soucy fired a puck from a sharp angle in the left circle. It found a way through, giving the Islanders the lead and setting the tone for a hard-fought rivalry win.
“He’s just a solid defenseman that makes smart plays,” said captain Anders Lee. “He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done. Tonight, I love that he was just throwing pucks at the net and he got rewarded for it.”
That’s been Soucy’s brand of hockey since he entered the league - steady, reliable, and quietly effective. And in a game where emotions could’ve easily gotten the best of him, he stuck to what he does best.
The 31-year-old was acquired from the Rangers just days ago in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. Now, he’s already making an impact on the other side of the Hudson.
“Definitely weird at first,” Soucy admitted after the win. “Once the game gets going, though, it’s kind of just hockey.
Like I’ve kept saying, I want to help this team win. Doesn’t matter who it’s against.”
That mindset has translated into results. Through 48 games this season, Soucy has tallied nine points (four goals, five assists), and while his stat line won’t blow anyone away, his value goes beyond the numbers. For a team looking to tighten up defensively and build momentum heading into the break, Soucy’s presence is already being felt.
“Just happy to contribute,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to help this team get two points, especially before the break here.”
Soucy follows fellow newcomer Ondrej Palat as the most recent recipient of the Iron Man mask - a locker room tradition that’s quickly becoming a rite of passage for new faces in the Islanders’ room. Two recent additions, two game-changing performances, and two players already earning the respect of their teammates.
For Soucy, it wasn’t just about scoring a goal. It was about setting a tone, showing he belongs, and doing it on one of the biggest stages in hockey - against the team that just sent him packing. That’s how you make a debut count.