Nicolas Beaudin

Nicolas Beaudin (born October 7, 1999) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He was selected in the first round, 27th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2018 NHL entry draft.

Early life Beaudin was born on October 7, 1999, in Châteauguay, Quebec, to parents Stephane and Annie. Growing up, Stephane played a crucial rule in Beaudin playing hockey and coached him throughout his minor hockey career.

Playing career Beaudin was selected 39th overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2015 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Draft. He was awarded the Voltigeurs Offensive Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season. He finished the season with 12 goals and 69 points in 68 games and was named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team.

Beaudin was selected 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2018 NHL entry draft. The second of Chicago's picks in the first round, Beaudin was considered one of the best power play options in the draft. During the 2021–22 season, Beaudin initially failed to make the Blackhawks out of training camp, but was instead assigned to the taxi squad during the pandemic-shortened season. After Boqvist suffered another injury, Beaudin made the transition to the main squad and saw significant playing time with the Blackhawks, often paired with Nikita Zadorov. On February 21, 2021, Beaudin scored his first NHL goal on Joonas Korpisalo in a 6–5 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Beaudin spent the majority of the 2021–22 season in the AHL with Rockford, putting up 16 points in 66 games and appearing in only two games with Chicago. Entering his fourth season within the Blackhawks organization in 2022–23, Beaudin was re-assigned to continue his tenure with the IceHogs having fallen down the depth chart. He played 39 games with Laval, registering two goals and 25 points. On July 13, 2023, Beaudin signed a one-year two-way contract with Montreal. He attended the Canadiens' 2023 training camp but failed to make the team. Beaudin was placed on waivers and after going unclaimed, assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season.

On January 29, 2024, Beaudin had his contract terminated following a mutual agreement with the Canadiens. Shortly thereafter, Beaudin signed a one-year contract with Czech-based HC Sparta Praha on January 31.

Playing style

Beaudin described his playing style as emulating Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2014–15 Châteauguay Grenadiers QMAAA 41 3 21 24 22 16 1 12 13 10 2015–16 Châteauguay Grenadiers QMAAA 21 5 18 23 44 — — — — — 2015–16 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 26 0 1 1 4 3 1 0 1 2 2016–17 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 64 5 36 41 26 4 0 0 0 2 2017–18 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 68 12 57 69 47 10 3 8 11 2 2018–19 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 53 7 49 56 48 16 2 6 8 20 2019–20 Rockford IceHogs AHL 59 3 12 15 33 — — — — — 2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 19 2 4 6 2 — — — — — 2020–21 Rockford IceHogs AHL 9 2 8 10 4 — — — — — 2021–22 Rockford IceHogs AHL 66 2 14 16 68 1 0 0 0 0 2021–22 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2022–23 Rockford IceHogs AHL 3 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2022–23 Laval Rocket AHL 39 2 23 25 41 — — — — — 2023–24 Laval Rocket AHL 16 0 6 6 6 — — — — — 2023–24 HC Sparta Praha ELH 9 0 3 3 4 3 0 0 0 2 2024–25 HC Kometa Brno ELH 52 2 7 9 37 20 0 4 4 8 2025–26 Straubing Tigers DEL 51 6 21 27 38 6 0 1 1 2 NHL totals 22 2 4 6 2 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2021 Canada WC 10 0 1 1 0 2023 Canada SC 4th 4 0 0 0 2 Senior totals 14 0 1 1 2