His strong play as a defensive forward helped the Canadiens to a Stanley Cup championship in 1985–86, followed by three Frank J. Selke Trophy wins in 1987–1988, 1988–1989, and 1991–1992.

In 1989–1990, he was named the captain of the Canadiens, and led them to another Stanley Cup win in 1992–93 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Next season, Carbonneau and the Stars reached the Stanley Cup Finals again but this time they lost to the New Jersey Devils.

He took the ceremonial opening faceoff for the Stars when they played the Canadiens at the last game at the Montreal Forum.

After serving as an assistant coach to Michel Therrien with the Canadiens from 2000 to 2002, Carbonneau moved back to the Dallas Stars where he worked as an assistant general manager (he was named to the position on May 26, 2002),[1] until his return to Montreal in January 2006.

[5] He also appeared in the first season (2010) of La série Montréal-Québec as the head coach for the Montreal team.