LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 28: Cole Beaudoin is selected by the Utah Hockey Club with the 24th overall pick during the first round of the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The second draft pick in the history of the Utah Hockey Club, Cole Beaudoin, has a pretty cool connection to the Beehive State.
His father, Eric, played one season in Salt Lake City for the Utah Grizzlies in 2001-2002.
Cole Beaudoin talks about landing with @utahhockeyclub and his dad playing for the @UtahGrizzlies in 2001.#UtahHC #NHLDraft #NHL pic.twitter.com/0OYTjLz8SC
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 29, 2024
“My dad actually played in Salt Lake City for a year,” Beaudoin said. “I know he loved it there. He’s excited for me. He told me from a young age to work hard. We’ll definitely have a good chat when I see him.”
In Eric Beaudoin’s sole season with the Grizzlies, he recorded 21 points with five goals and 16 assists. Cole, now 18 years old, wasn’t even born yet.
The Utah Hockey Club made a deal with the Colorado Avalanche to jump up to the No. 24 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and select Beaudoin.
RELATED: Utah Hockey Club Trades Up To No. 24 In Draft, Selects Cole Beaudoin
With the 24th pick, the Utah Hockey Club selects Cole Beaudoin 🩵 #UtahHC pic.twitter.com/mITXFtZImi
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) June 29, 2024
Last year with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he recorded 62 points with 28 goals and 34 assists.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, Beaudoin projects to be a skilled wing in the NHL.
“I feel like that’s part of my game,” Beaudoin said. “Being the strong, power forward player. I love that, playing hard-nosed hockey. Getting to the net, battling with the defense, banging in a rebound.”
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @ChandlerHoltKSL or on Threads @chandlerho1t.
