Girard competed at the 2016 World Championships where he won a silver in the 1,000 m behind countryman Charles Hamelin, and a silver in the 5,000 m relay. These results led to his being named a rising star in short track competitions among Canadian media. In response to being referred to as the next Hamelin, Girard said that “I’m not the second Charles Hamelin. I will be Samuel Girard, and this will be my career. I want to follow what Charles did, and it’s really inspiring to skate with him."