Canadiens sign defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a three-year contract
MONTREAL (May 30, 2012) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today the signing of defenseman Nathan Beaulieu to a three-year contract (2012-13 to 2014-15). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In 53 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs, Beaulieu finished tied for fifth in scoring among QMJHL defensemen with 52 points (11 goals, 41 assists). He was tied for third among rearguards in the league with 41 assists. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound defenseman scored four of his goals on the powerplay and one while shorthanded. He recorded 150 shots on goal, maintained a plus-41 plus/minus differential and served 100 penalty minutes. This season, Beaulieu helped the Sea Dogs to their third consecutive Jean-Rougeau Trophy (awarded to the QMJHL regular season champions), as well as their second straight President Cup (awarded to the QMJHL playoff champions).
Beaulieu ranked tied for third among league defensemen with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 17 playoff contests. He tallied one of his goals on the powerplay. He displayed a plus-27 plus/minus differential and served 32 penalty minutes. Beaulieu added four assists in as many games at the Memorial Cup tournament in Shawinigan. He suited up for Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Alberta, posting one assist, 13 shots on goal and 16 penalty minutes in six games.
A native of Strathroy, Ontario, Beaulieu, 19, recorded 152 points (37 goals and 115 assists) in 233 games since his junior debut with Saint John. He was part of the Saint John squad that won the Memorial Cup in 2011.
He was drafted in the first round, 17th overall by the Canadiens at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Last September Beaulieu took part in his first training camp with the Canadiens, appearing in three preseason games, recording one assist (0-1-1) and three shots on goal. He was returned to the QMJHL’s Sea Dogs on September 26.
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3 comments:
Nice to see Beaulieu get done and hope to maybe see Nygren in Hamilton as well?
Pribyl will be in Czech for at least 1 more year? Hope he pans out a bit better than Avtsin has.
@anon: Out of all of the names you mentioned, I think Beaulieu is the only sho-in to the NHL. I'm not so sure Nygren will be in Hamilton next year, but I could be wrong.
As for Beaulieu, I'd love to see him play until January (at a min) in Hamilton before they even consider bringing him up. Ideally, you let him and Tinordi man the back end in Hamilton all of next season...
Bring them along slowly and you will be able to create one hell of a potent Habs blueline in the not so distant future!
You can add Morgan Ellis & Greg Pateryn to that Hamilton roster as well. It will be a young D but with lots of promise.
I would hope they will all spend the entire season in Hamilton regardless of how well they play.
We need to have more patience with our young D.
There is no rush to have any of them in the NHL, we need to find out if Emelin & Diaz are for real.
I am not sure there will be a spot for Weber but even he has shown some promise.
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