Ryan Leonard #9 of Team USA and Cole Beaudoin #26 of Team Canada skate against each other in the second period of the Group A match during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship at Canadian Tire Centre on December 31, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
(Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – As the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural NHL season comes to a close, the front office will now turn their attention to offseason affairs which includes the draft, free agency and prospect development. While many of their current prospects aren’t quite ready for the NHL, it’s important to understand the timelines, strengths, and areas of improvement for players like Cole Beaudoin.
Beaudoin is an 18-year-old forward from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Before being drafted by the Utah Hockey Club, Beaudoin was selected tenth overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2022 OHL Draft.
In three seasons with Barrie, Beaudoin has been a reliable two-way player with 133 points in 182 games.
This past year, Beaudoin finished sixth on the team in scoring with 22 goals and 29 assists in 52 appearances during the regular season.
Additionally, he’s also been a driving force for the Colts in the postseason with 9 points through the second round of the playoffs.
In addition to a well-balanced skillset both offensively and defensively, Beaudoin is one of those players who will outwork anybody on the ice.
Every single shift, Beaudoin is relentless on the forecheck, fierce in the dirty areas, battles in front of the net, creates for his teammates and gives everything he has in order to help his team win.
“Cole plays in a way that every minute he’s out there, he’s just trying to outwork you,” General Manger Bill Armstrong said.
“He’s been everything the doctor ordered. His work ethic, his physical ability, his ability to outwork people. You’re certainly impressed by the pace he plays at.”
Despite a relatively small sample size during Utah’s rookie camp, training camp and preseason, Beaudoin consistently competed and never backed down regardless of his age.
Whether it was fellow rookies, young talent or elite NHL skaters, Beaudoin was fearless on the ice and proved he isn’t overly far away from playing at the highest level.
For any young player, especially an 18-year-old, the biggest adjustment in the NHL is the size and speed of the game.
Learning what it takes to beat towering defenseman and goaltenders by thinking quicker, moving the puck more efficiently and battling for position.
More specifically for Beaudoin, improving his first three steps, explosiveness, speed and overall skating would greatly benefit his game.
Ever since Beaudoin was selected by Utah in the first-round last summer, this past season has arguably been the best year of hockey for the young forward.
In addition to 62 points for his junior team in 2025, he also earned a spot on Team Canada’s World Junior squad where he recorded an assist in five appearances.
Based on his impressive year of accomplishments, Beaudoin will be given a clean slate and an opportunity to earn a roster spot with Utah this fall.
Related: Checking In On Utah Hockey Club Prospects: Forward Tij Iginla
If he needs more time in the juniors, so be it.
But there’s no reason to count him out once he enters camp.
Following the conclusion of the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season, the next notable event will be the NHL Draft on June 27 and 28.
