2011 Habs 1st rounder Nathan Beaulieu signs with KHL's Barys Astana

Canadian defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana, the Kazakhstan-based KHL club announced on Friday.

“Beaulieu is a defender who plays confidently in his own zone and works very hard, blocks a lot of shots and is ready to defend himself and his teammates at any moment,” said Astana GM Oleg Bolyakin. “We are sure that such a player will strengthen the Barys defense and share his experience with our players.”

Chosen in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Beaulieu spent five seasons in the organization and eventually became an everyday blueliner on the club. He would eventually play 471 NHL games over 11 seasons with the Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks.

Beaulieu had some offensive upside as a d-man and saw some power play time, particularly his last season in Montreal in which he tallied a career-high total of 28 points in 74 games. In his final season in North America, 2022-23, he played 52 games with Anaheim and four with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls.

Last season, Beaulieu only played 12 games for EHC Kloten of Switzerland’s National League, recording two assists. While in Switzerland, he also played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.

Previously, he represented Canada at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, winning a bronze medal.

Beaulieu is the second former NHL d-man to sign with a KHL club on Friday after Jordan Gross signed with Dinamo Minsk.