Utah's 24th overall pick Cole Beaudoin has a clear future of becoming a power forward and leader in the NHL
Utah's 24th overall pick Cole Beaudoin has a clear future of becoming a power forward and leader in the NHL
The Utah Hockey Club has drafted Barrie Colts forward Cole Beaudoin in the first round, overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
We had the chance to meet and speak with Beaudoin at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo earlier this month. While facing the media in a white tank top, Beaudoin, who is incredibly in shape at 18 years old, said he likes to model his game after Columbus Blue Jackets captain, Boone Jenner.
“He’s a leader, captain on his team, that’s a trait I like to have in myself, being a leader. Then also he’s a two-way centerman who does everything the right way. I want to be that kind of power forward, 200ft type of player,” said Beaudoin at the combine after his testing.
Most players will say they model their game after an elite NHL player. Rarely do you get an answer like the one Beaudoin provided? But, it’s an extremely accurate representation of how he plays and an indication of him already knowing what his identity is as a player.
The Barrie Colts centerman takes pride in being the type of player who can be relied upon to play in defensive situations, like playing against the opposing teams’ best players and being first out there for the penalty kill.
Beaudoin has a dog-on-a-bone-like work ethic and compete level. His hockey sense is fantastic. He plays hard and he plays both ends of the ice. He’s an honest player who NHL coaches will come to be very fond of.
“I think my game translates well to the next level. That’s just being strong, playing the right way, backchecking, forechecking. Being the first guy on the forecheck and the first on the backcheck and making sure to play consistent night-in and night-out,” said Beaudoin on how well he feels his game would translate to the NHL.
Beaudoin won gold at the IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship with Canada after his season ended with the Barrie Colts. He played in a checking role where Head Coach, Gardner MacDougall, praised him, calling him one of the team’s key players.
He scored a game-changing goal with 6:20 left in the third period with the game tied at three and Canada on the powerplay. Fellow first-rounder, Jett Luchanko, gave Beaudoin an easy redirect pass while parked at the top of the crease to put Canada up 4-3.
What was that experience like? “It was an experience I won’t forget. Anytime I get to put on that jersey (Canada’s) it’s an honor. And scoring that goal in the third to give my team a boost in the finals was incredible,” said Beaudoin.