Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu has signed in Switzerland with EHC Kloten.
Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu has opted to sign professionally in Switzerland for the National League's EHC Kloten.
The news comes after the 30-year-old failed to crack the Carolina Hurricanes on a professional tryout this fall. Rather than sticking around North America in the AHL, Beaulieu chose to move to Europe and try his hand on the larger ice surfaces in Switzerland.
After suiting up for Winnipeg from 2019-22, Beaulieu split the 2022-23 season with the Anaheim Ducks and their affiliate San Diego Gulls in the minors.
Unable to stick on a deep Hurricanes squad, the Stratford, ON. product will look to be a top defender with Kloten.
"Nathan is an extremely complete defender who stood out in the NHL for his physical and consistent defensive play," sports director Larry Mitchell said of Beaulieu. "But he also has great qualities on the offensive, which he has been able to demonstrate again and again in the best ice hockey league in the world."
In 471 NHL games, Beaulieu has 12 goals, 98 points and 340 penalty minutes. He has an additional five assists and nine penalty minutes in 21 postseason contests.
EHC Kloten currently sits 13th of 14 teams with a 5-12-3 record through 20 games played.