The Habs selected the Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman 17th overall in the first round of the National Hockey League Entry Draft Friday night. He became the second Sea Dog to be selected this evening as Jonathan Huberdeau was picked third overall by the Florida Panthers.
This is the first time two Sea Dogs have been drafted in the first round.
The 18-year old will join former Sea Dogs netminder Robert Mayer as Canadiens prospects who played junior hockey with Saint John.
Beaulieu was ranked fifth by Central Scouting, eighth by Puck Prospectus, 11th by TSN, 14th by International Scouting Services, and 18th by The Hockey News.
Selected by his father, Jacques, in the fourth round of the 2008 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft, Beaulieu has three seasons of junior hockey under his belt already because of a late birthday. He played in 49 games in his rookie season, recording two goals and eight assists.
Even though his father was fired as general manager and head coach of the Sea Dogs, Beaulieu stuck around for the 2009-10 season. He would play in 66 games that season, compiling 12 goals and 33 assists. In the playoffs he added four goals and 12 helpers in the Sea Dogs’ march to the league finals.
Last season, the offensive defenseman had the exact same regular season numbers while playing in 65 games. He scored four goals and 13 assists in 19 playoff games as the Dogs went on to win the President’s Cup. He was solid in the Memorial Cup and was named to the tournament all-star team.
Beaulieu participated in Team Canada’s summer evaluation camp last year and also played in the Subway Super Series and CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
The Habs finished the regular season with a record of 44-30-8 and were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the Boston Bruins.
More on the draft later…
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