Carey’s journey to greatness began in the small community of Anahim Lake in Northern BC, where he learned to skate on a river rink that his father Jerry built next to his home. With a growing love for the game, he spent years playing outdoors before making the 300-kilometre trip to the closest indoor rink in Williams Lake. At 15, Carey backstopped the Williams Lake midget team to their first and only AAA Provincial Championship and was drafted to the WHL. In his short time in the league, he captured the WHL West First Team All-Star and WHL Goaltender of the Year. Carey was selected fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2005 and made his first NHL start in 2007. Over the next 12 seasons, he would become the franchise's all-time leader in wins. In 2015, he became the first goaltender in NHL history to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP, the Vezina Trophy, the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award in the same season, a feat that earned him the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's best athlete.

Carey has represented Team Canada numerous times, capturing gold at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the Sochi 2014 Olympics.

A proud member of the Ulkatcho First Nation through his mother Lynda's family, Carey continues to honour his Indigenous roots by returning to Northern BC each year to donate equipment and to support the Breakfast Club of Canada in Anahim Lake.

In one of his many acceptance speeches, he reflected on the importance of his humble beginnings and his heart for Indigenous youth: 

"I would really like to encourage First Nations kids to be leaders in their communities. Be proud of your heritage and don’t be discouraged from the improbable. Chanalya – thank you.”