Utah Hockey Club signed Barrie Colts forward Cole Beaudoin to his first pro contract
The Utah Hockey Club used their second 2024 first-round draft pick to select Barrie Colts forward Cole Beaudoin 24th overall.
They have inked the Kanata, Ontario native to a three-year entry-level contract.
Beaudoin, 18, was an assistant captain for Barrie last season and won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship with Canada.
His heavy and pro-style game along with his outstanding work ethic off the ice in the gym elevated his draft stock into becoming a first-round draft pick.
He increased his offensive production tremendously from his OHL rookie season. After scoring eight goals and 20 points in 2022-23, those numbers improved to 28 goals and 62 points, while playing as Barrie’s go-to shutdown forward.
The development staff in Utah will closely monitor Beaudoin’s game to determine if he possesses additional offensive creativity and puck skills, allowing him to drive offensive plays.
Take recently signed Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Liam Greentree for example. He possesses the offensive skills and tools to drive the offense for his team and make plays at a high rate. Is that something Beaudoin can develop into his game to increase his NHL potential?
If not, Beaudoin still has a terrific floor level of becoming a third-line shutdown center.
It’s not hard to imagine the big 6-foot-2, 200-pound center finding an NHL career as a player who punishes his opposition with his physical presence and becomes a mainstay penalty killer. After all, he said he models his game after Columbus captain Booner Jenner and prides himself on being a leader.
Beaudoin’s three-year deal with Utah is worth $2.925 million carrying an annual cap hit of $975,000, the maximum contract for an ELC. His contract carries a base salary of $877,500 and signing bonuses worth $97,500 in all three years.
His contract does not come with any signing bonuses according to Puck Pedia. The contract's expiration date is 2027.