We have just learned that it's officially the end for defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, who is hanging up his skates after playing 471 games in the NHL. He is retiring after playing last season in the KHL.
On June 24, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota, the Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman Nathan Beaulieu in the 1st round, 17th overall-just ahead of Phillip Danault, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Rickard Rakell.
Former Canadiens first-round pick Nathan Beaulieu hangs up his skates
Unfortunately for the Montreal organization, that draft class is now considered one of the worst in the club's history.
Josiah Didier (97th), Olivier Archambault (108th), Magnus Nygren (113th), Daniel Pribyl (168th), and Colin Sullivan (198th) ultimately never played a game in the NHL, while Darren Dietz (138th) played just 13 games.
Nathan Beaulieu is therefore the only player from that group to have truly carved out a career in the National Hockey League. In 471 games, he recorded 12 goals and 98 points, and dropped the gloves 11 times.
Defenseman Nathan Beaulieu officially confirms his retirement from hockey
Throughout his career, Beaulieu wore the jerseys of the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, and Anaheim Ducks.
Though he wasn't a flashy defenseman who regularly showed up on the scoresheet, credit must be given to the 32-year-old blueliner-he always managed to find a way to earn a spot on different teams over ten years.
Last season, he played in the KHL with Barys Nur-Sultan, collecting one point in 8 games.
In 2023-24, Beaulieu went to Switzerland to join Kloten HC for 13 games-a team that had a certain David Reinbacher on its defensive corps. A name that likely rings a bell for Montreal Canadiens fans.
We wish him a happy retirement! Well done, Nathan!
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 23 | 272 ANSWERS Former Montreal Canadiens Defenseman and 17th Overall Pick Announces Retirement Do you think Nathan Beaulieu had a successful NHL career? | ||
| Yes | 127 | 46.7 % |
| No | 145 | 53.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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