Nicolas Beaudin

Nicolas Beaudin
Born	(1999-10-07) October 7, 1999 (age 24) Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
team Former teams	Free agent Chicago Blackhawks HC Sparta Praha
National team	Canada
NHL draft	27th overall, 2018 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2019–present

Nicolas Beaudin (born October 7, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was selected in the first round, 27th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Beaudin was born on October 7, 1999, in Châteauguay, Quebec, ^[1] to parents Stephane and Annie. ^[2] Growing up, Stephane played a crucial rule in Beaudin playing hockey and coached him throughout his minor hockey career. ^[3]

Playing career

Beaudin was selected 39th overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2015 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Draft. ^[4] He was awarded the Voltigeurs Offensive Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season. ^[5] He finished the season with 12 goals and 69 points in 68 games and was named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team. ^{[6] [7]}

Beaudin was selected 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The second of Chicago's picks in the first round, Beaudin was considered one of the best power play options in the draft. ^[6] On November 9, Beaudin signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks. He returned to Drummondville for one more season ^[7] before joining Chicago's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. In his first pro season, Beaudin recorded three goals and 15 points in 59 games. He was recalled by Chicago after an injury to Adam Boqvist and played his first NHL game on March 11, 2020 versus the San Jose Sharks. ^{[8] [9]} During the 2021–22 season, Beaudin initially failed to make the Blackhawks out of training camp, but was instead assigned to the taxi squad during the pandemic-shortened season. After Boqvist suffered another injury, Beaudin made the transition to the main squad and saw significant playing time with the Blackhawks, often paired with Nikita Zadorov. ^{[10] [11]} On February 21, 2021, Beaudin scored his first NHL goal on Joonas Korpisalo in a 6–5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. ^[12]

Beaudin spent the majority of the 2021–22 season in the AHL with Rockford, putting up 16 points in 66 games and appearing in only two games with Chicago. ^[13] Entering his fourth season within the Blackhawks organization in 2022–23, Beaudin was re-assigned to continue his tenure with the IceHogs having fallen down the depth chart. ^[11]

Following three games with Rockford, Beaudin was traded by the Blackhawks to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Cameron Hillis on October 26, 2022. He was immediately re-assigned to Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket. ^[14] He played 39 games with Laval, registering two goals and 25 points. On July 13, 2023, Beaudin signed a one-year two-way contract with Montreal. ^[15] He attended the Canadiens' 2023 training camp but failed to make the team. Beaudin was placed on waivers and after going unclaimed, assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season. ^[16]

On January 29, 2024, Beaudin had his contract terminated following a mutual agreement with the Canadiens. ^[17] Shortly thereafter, Beaudin signed a one-year contract with Czech-based HC Sparta Praha on January 31. ^[18]

Playing style

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2021 Latvia

Beaudin described his playing style as emulating Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner. ^[19]

"He's such a smart guy with his hockey sense and his vision of the game...He often sees a play developing in advance, he knows what will happen, he has good anticipation. He is a proud guy who defends the right way and keeps getting better at it." ^[20]

—  Dominique Ducharme on Beaudin, May 2018

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014–15	Châteauguay Grenadiers	QMAAA		41	3	21	24	22		16	1	12	13	10
2015–16	Châteauguay Grenadiers	QMAAA		21	5	18	23	44		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		26	0	1	1	4		3	1	0	1	2
2016–17	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		64	5	36	41	26		4	0	0	0	2
2017–18	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		68	12	57	69	47		10	3	8	11	2
2018–19	Drummondville Voltigeurs	QMJHL		53	7	49	56	48		16	2	6	8	20
2019–20	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		59	3	12	15	33		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		19	2	4	6	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		9	2	8	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		66	2	14	16	68		1	0	0	0	0
2021–22	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		3	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Laval Rocket	AHL		39	2	23	25	41		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Laval Rocket	AHL		16	0	6	6	6		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	HC Sparta Praha	ELH		9	0	3	3	4		3	0	0	0	2
NHL totals				21	2	4	6	2		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	Canada	WC			10	0	1	1	0
2023	Canada	SC	4th		4	0	0	0	2
Senior totals					14	0	1	1	2

References

1. "Nicolas Beaudin". Elite Prospects. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
2. Thompson, Phil (March 11, 2020). "Nicolas Beaudin is set to make his NHL debut as the Blackhawks continue incorporating prospects into the lineup". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 14, 2022.
3. Wescott, Chris (July 18, 2018). "FEATURE: Beaudin evolved his game with help from his mentors". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
4. "Repêchage 2015" (in French). Drummondville Voltigeurs. June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2018.^{[ dead link ]}
5. "Les gagnants du gala reconnaissance sont maintenant connus" (in French). Drummondville Voltigeurs. April 18, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.^{[ dead link ]}
6. Neveau, James (June 23, 2018). "Blackhawks Finish Selections in 2018 NHL Draft". NBC Chicago. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
7. "Release: Blackhawks agree to terms with Beaudin". Chicago Blackhawks. November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018– via NHL.com.
8. Thompson, Phil (March 11, 2020). "Nicolas Beaudin is set to make his NHL debut as the Blackhawks continue incorporating prospects into the lineup". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
9. "Kane scores twice, Blackhawks skate past Sharks 6-2". ESPN. Associated Press. March 11, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
10. Pope, Ben (January 30, 2021). "Nicolas Beaudin's assertiveness, supported by Blackhawks coaches, helps him break into NHL". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
11. Pope, Ben (October 26, 2022). "Blackhawks give failed prospects Nicolas Beaudin, Evan Barratt fresh starts". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
12. "Blue Jackets use 4-goal third period to beat Blackhawks 6-5". ESPN. Associated Press. February 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
13. Cosentino, Sam (October 26, 2022). "What the Canadiens get in trade for 2018 first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin". Sportsnet. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
14. "Canadiens acquire Nicolas Beaudin from Chicago Blackhawks". October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
15. Cowan, Stu (July 13, 2023). "Canadiens sign Nicolas Beaudin, Lucas Condotta to two-way deals". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
16. Johnson, Amy (September 30, 2023). "Canadiens Place Four Players On Waivers". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
17. "Contract termination for Nicolas Beaudin". NHL.com. Montreal Canadiens. January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
18. "DVĚ NOVÉ POSILY: PŘICHÁZÍ BEAUDIN A HRABÍK" (in Czech). HC Sparta Praha. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
19. @NHLBlackhawks (June 22, 2018). "Blueliner Nicolas Beaudin says he models his style of play after defenseman Jake Gardiner. #NHLDraft" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
20. Lepage, Guillaume (May 3, 2018). "Beaudin emerging as solid two-way defenseman prospect for 2018 draft". NHL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Adam Boqvist	Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick 2018	Succeeded by Kirby Dach