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Nathan Beaulieu

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Nathan Beaulieu
Beaulieu with the Montreal Canadiens in 2015
Born (1992-12-05) December 5, 1992 (age 31)
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
team
Former teams		 Free agent
Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
Winnipeg Jets
Anaheim Ducks
EHC Kloten
Barys Astana
NHL draft 17th overall, 2011
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2012–present

Nathan Anthony Richard Beaulieu (born December 5, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was selected in the first round, 17th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL entry draft. Beaulieu has also previously played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, and Anaheim Ducks.

In junior, Beaulieu helped the Saint John Sea Dogs win the 2011 Memorial Cup, and was named to the tournament's all-star team.

Playing career

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Junior

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Beaulieu was drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the fourth round, 68th overall, of the 2008 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Midget Draft.[1] When he began his junior career with the Sea Dogs in 2008–09, his father Jacques was the team's head coach. His father was fired by the team and replaced with Gerard Gallant in 2009, an incident which caused Beaulieu to consider leaving the team. He decided to remain with Saint John after speaking with Gallant.[2]

During the 2010–11, Beaulieu established himself as a top prospect for the 2011 NHL entry draft, and was nominated for the Mike Bossy Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL's top professional prospect;[3] he lost the award to Sean Couturier.[4] Beaulieu was ranked fifth among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau in its final rankings, an improvement from his mid-season ranking of ninth.[5] Saint John won the QMJHL championship and moved on to the 2011 Memorial Cup. Beaulieu scored the winning goal in the team's first game of the tournament against hosts Mississauga St. Michael's Majors.[2] The Sea Dogs met the Majors again in the championship game of the tournament and won 3–1 to capture the Memorial Cup. After the tournament, Beaulieu was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.[6] The Sea Dogs win was the second Memorial Cup win for the Beaulieu family, as his father Jacques was an assistant coach with the London Knights when they won in 2005.[7]

Professional

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Beaulieu made his professional debut in the 2012–13 season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. He later played his first NHL game with the Canadiens on March 30, 2013 versus the New York Rangers.[8]

In his fifth season with the Canadiens in 2017–18, Beaulieu posted career highs in his second full NHL year, appearing in 74 games with 4 goals and 24 points.

As an impending restricted free agent from the Canadiens, on June 17, 2017, Beaulieu was traded by Montreal to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the Sabres' third-round pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft.[9] On July 31, 2017, he was signed to a two-year $4.8 million contract with the Sabres.[10]

During his second season with the Sabres in 2018–19, Beaulieu's role was reduced and was regularly a healthy scratch. Through the mid-point of the season, Beaulieu requested to be traded due to his limited play while in a contract year.[11] He remained with the team featuring in 30 games for 7 points before he was ultimately dealt by the Sabres at the trade deadline to the Winnipeg Jets for a six-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft on February 25, 2019.[12]

With Beaulieu approaching arbitration rights as a restricted free agent the Jets declined to tender a qualifying offer, releasing him as a free agent on June 25, 2019.[13] On July 1, 2019, Beaulieu opted to re-sign with the Jets on a cheaper one-year, $1 million contract.[14] Later that season, on February 16, 2020, Beaulieu scored his first goal as a Winnipeg Jet- the game-winner- in a 3–2 home ice victory against the Chicago Blackhawks.[15]

During his fourth year with the Jets, in the 2020–21 season, Beaulieu was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional 2022 seventh-round draft pick on March 21, 2022.[16]

As a free agent from the Penguins having not featured for the club, Beaulieu went unsigned over the summer. He initially joined the Anaheim Ducks on a professional tryout (PTO) in preparation for the 2022–23 season before agreeing to a one-year, $850,000 contract following a successful training camp on October 1, 2022.[17] In his lone season with the Ducks, Beaulieu added just 4 assists through 52 regular season games from the blueline.

Leaving the Ducks as a free agent, Beaulieu for the second consecutive season was signed to a PTO, accepting an invitation to the Carolina Hurricanes' training camp on August 22, 2023.[18] Despite this, Beaulieu would ultimately sign overseas with EHC Kloten of the Swiss-based National League (NL) for the 2023–24 season.[19]

On June 28, 2024, Beaulieu joined Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on a one-year contract.[20] On October 18 of the same year, following just 8 appearances with Barys, Beaulieu was suddenly released by the club along with fellow North American ex-NHLers Michael McLeod and Will Butcher.[21]

Personal life

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On April 27, 2013, Beaulieu—along with his father Jacques—were involved in an altercation in their hometown of Strathroy, Ontario. The incident in question took place following a charity golf tournament at a private residence and stemmed from property damages by the Beaulieus. As a result, two people were assaulted and suffered minor injuries.[22][23] In August 2013, Beaulieu and his father pleaded guilty to assault. Each was assessed penalties of conditional discharges with nine months' probation, a joint recommendation from the Crown and the defence.[22][24]

International play

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Beaulieu in January 2012
Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Canada

Beaulieu participated at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in Canada and won the bronze medal.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2008–09 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 49 2 8 10 14 4 0 0 0 2
2009–10 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 66 12 33 45 40 21 4 12 16 22
2010–11 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 65 12 33 45 52 19 4 13 17 26
2011–12 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 53 11 41 52 100 17 4 11 15 32
2012–13 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 67 7 24 31 63 — — — — —
2012–13 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2013–14 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 57 7 20 27 33 — — — — —
2013–14 Montreal Canadiens NHL 17 0 2 2 8 7 0 2 2 2
2014–15 Montreal Canadiens NHL 64 1 8 9 45 5 0 1 1 0
2014–15 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 8 2 2 4 9 — — — — —
2015–16 Montreal Canadiens NHL 64 2 17 19 55 — — — — —
2016–17 Montreal Canadiens NHL 74 4 24 28 44 5 0 1 1 0
2017–18 Buffalo Sabres NHL 59 1 8 9 36 — — — — —
2018–19 Buffalo Sabres NHL 30 3 4 7 32 — — — — —
2018–19 Winnipeg Jets NHL 18 0 5 5 7 — — — — —
2019–20 Winnipeg Jets NHL 38 1 7 8 29 4 0 1 1 7
2020–21 Winnipeg Jets NHL 25 0 1 1 20 — — — — —
2021–22 Winnipeg Jets NHL 24 0 4 4 25 — — — — —
2022–23 Anaheim Ducks NHL 52 0 4 4 39 — — — — —
2022–23 San Diego Gulls AHL 4 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2023–24 EHC Kloten NL 13 0 2 2 2 — — — — —
2024–25 Barys Astana KHL 8 0 1 1 12 — — — — —
NHL totals 471 12 86 98 340 21 0 5 5 9

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada Atlantic U17 9th 5 0 2 2 4
2012 Canada WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 0 1 1 16
Junior totals 11 0 3 3 20

Awards and honours

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Award Year
QMJHL
President's Cup champion 2011, 2012 [25]
Second All-Star Team 2012 [26]
CHL
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 2011 [27]
Memorial Cup champion 2011 [7]
Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2011 [6]

References

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  1. ^ "Nathan Beaulieu". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Klinkenberg, Marty (May 23, 2011). "Beaulieu in pursuit of rare father/son accomplishment". Telegraph Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  3. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (March 22, 2011). "QMJHL Announces finalists for Golden Puck Awards". NHL.com. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  4. ^ Beacon, Bill (April 7, 2011). "Islanders, Rocket goalie among QMJHL award winners". The Guardian. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  5. ^ "Beaulieu, Nathan". NHL.com. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup Individual Award Winners". CHL.ca. May 29, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Strathroy's Nathan Beaulieu part of Memorial Cup team". Strathroy Age Dispatch. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  8. ^ @CanadiensMTL (March 29, 2013). "Head coach Michel Therrien confirmed that Nathan Beaulieu will play tomorrow against the Rangers and Carey Price will get the start in goal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Nathan Beaulieu traded to Sabres". Montreal Canadiens. June 17, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  10. ^ Kardaman, Katelyn; Cohen, Jami (July 31, 2017). "Sabres, Beaulieu agree to two-year contract". Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved August 1, 2017 – via NHL.com.
  11. ^ Bove, Matt (January 16, 2019). "Sabres defenseman Nathan Bealieu requests trade". WKBW. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  12. ^ "Jets acquire Nathan Beaulieu from the Buffalo Sabres". Winnipeg Jets. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  13. ^ "Jets won't qualify Beaulieu, Morrow". TSN.ca. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  14. ^ "Jets sign Nathan Beaulieu to one-year contract". Winnipeg Jets. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  15. ^ "Beaulieu's 1st Goal of Season Lifts Jets Over Blackhawks 3-2". NBC Chicago. February 16, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "Penguins acquire Nathan Beaulieu in exchange for conditional pick". Pittsburgh Penguins. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  17. ^ "Ducks sign defenseman Beaulieu to one-year contract". Anaheim Ducks. October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  18. ^ Ruff, Walt (August 22, 2023). "Canes sign Beaulieu to tryout". Carolina Hurricanes. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  19. ^ "Neuzugang Nathan Beaulieu". EHC Kloten (in German). November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  20. ^ O'Brien, Derek (June 28, 2024). "2011 Habs 1st rounder Nathan Beaulieu signs with KHL's Barys Astana". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  21. ^ O'Brien, Derek (October 18, 2024). "Barys Astana Terminates Contracts of Nathan Beaulieu, Will Butcher, Michael McLeod". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Sims, Jane (August 14, 2013). "Montreal Canadiens prospect, dad plead guilty to assault charges". Brantford Expositor. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  23. ^ Peters, Chris (August 14, 2013). "Habs prospect Nathan Beaulieu pleads guilty to assault charges". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  24. ^ "Canadiens prospect Nathan Beaulieu pleads guilty to assault". CBC Sports. August 14, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  25. ^ "Saint John Sea Dogs win President Cup as QMJHL champions". CHL.ca. May 10, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Golden Puck Awards: recognition of excellence". CHL.ca. April 4, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "CHL Announces Rosters and Coaches for 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game". CHL.ca. December 22, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2011 		Succeeded by
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