Habs Assign Beaulieu Back To Saint John

Only one member of the Saint John Sea Dogs’ active roster remains at a National Hockey League training camp.

Today, the Montreal Canadiens announced that they have assigned Nathan Beaulieu back to Saint John for a fourth season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Beaulieu was selected 17^th overall in June’s NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens.

With Beaulieu being sent back, Jonathan Huberdeau of the Florida Panthers is the lone Sea Dog remaining at an NHL camp.

Beaulieu, who will turn 19 in December, scored 12 goals and 33 assists in 65 regular season games last year. In the playoffs he added four goals and 13 helpers.

The native of Strathroy, Ont. played in two games with Saint John prior to leaving for Montreal rookie camp. He had no points and was a -1.

All reports out of Montreal state that Beaulieu had a solid training camp with the team. He also got plenty of playing time in the pre-season games he dressed for which included setting up PK Subban for a Habs goal earlier this week.

Beaulieu played last night in Montreal’s 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins at the Halifax Metro Centre. Marty Klinkenberg has a solid story on his performance in today’s Telegraph-Journal.

Like the rest of the Sea Dogs who took part in NHL camps, Beaulieu surely learned a few things. With both Simon Despres and Eric Gelinas likely turning pro this year, he’ll be looked upon to play the big minutes. He’s also on Hockey Canada’s radar for the World Junior Hockey Championships this winter after taking part in summer development camp.

Beaulieu will give the Sea Dogs’ blue-line a big boost as they hit the road for three games in four days through Quebec. The trip begins Wednesday when they visit the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

The Habs also assigned Morgan Ellis back to Cape Breton and Olivier Archambault to Drummondville today. Former Sea Dogs goaltender Robert Mayer was sent to the American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs. 

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation