‘Workhorse’ Beaudoin primed for breakout season in Barrie
There aren’t many better ways to spend your summer than winning a gold medal.
That’s what Cole Beaudoin got up to this past offseason – in August, he and 12 other OHLers helped Team Canada capture the 2023 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in Břeclav, Czech Republic and Trenčín, Slovakia.
For many hockey fans, the annual tournament serves as a first look at the top under-18 players in the world ahead of many of their NHL draft-eligible seasons.
For Beaudoin, it served as an opportunity to continue to build upon the momentum he had finished the 2022-23 OHL campaign with – the rookie had climbed up the Barrie Colts lineup throughout the final few months.
Beaudoin began the tournament on the fourth line in Canada’s opening game against Finland. It took just ten seconds for him to notch his first goal:
What a start for 🇨🇦! @OHLBarrieColts forward Cole Beaudoin with a tip out front just 10 seconds into their #HlinkaGretzkyCup opener! pic.twitter.com/kUFtIph3of
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) July 31, 2023
After being swiftly promoted to the second line alongside Roger McQueen and Ryder Ritchie, Beaudoin finished with three goals and five points in seven contests as Canada defeated the host Czech Republic in the gold medal game.
Eligible for June’s 2024 NHL Draft in Vegas, the Kanata native has received plaudits for his blend of tenacity and high-end skill. He was given a “B” ranking in NHL Central Scouting’s ‘Players to Watch’ list for November and listed at No. 15 in The Hockey News’ September rankings.
Beaudoin’s success will not come as a surprise to those familiar with his game. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound centreman is a handful below the hashmarks and has a relentless motor.
“Ever since I was a kid, that’s just how I played,” said the 17-year-old.
“I’ve always worked hard on the forecheck and given 110% every shift,” he added. “It’s taken me a long way and I think if I keep doing it, good things will come.”
Cole is the son of former Guelph Storm forward Eric Beaudoin, who enjoyed a 16-year professional career after a tenure in the OHL that included winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup in 1998.
Eric offered further insight into his son’s motivation to Peter Robinson of Barrie Today:
“He just really wants to be a hockey player,” he explained. “All he does is work – when his friends are out on a Friday night, he’s at home, resting for the next day’s (work).”
“He’s always by my side, helping me watch video and find little things to work on in practice,” said Cole of his father.
Having a dad who played at a high level can certainly help a player understand the intricacies of the sport on the ice, but it also means knowing how hard you have to work off the ice. Eric – who himself was 6-foot-5, 210 pounds – is undoubtedly aware of how much of an asset the physicality of Cole’s game can be.
Like many athletes, the Beaudoins set up a home gym during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think that’s kind of where my strength came from,” said Cole. “I was just in the gym a lot, working, getting stronger.”
Since businesses have reopened, the 17-year-old has been working with Adam Bracken, owner of The Fitness Lab.
“Getting faster is what we’re aiming at this year.”
At Colts training camp, the players all participated in a 2.2-kilometre run. Beaudoin won by 34 secods. He also led the way on the bench press machine.
“Obviously, I want to be a big part of this team,” said Beaudoin when asked about taking up a leadership position in the dressing room. “I want to be a huge player.”
“I want to help the team win games and do whatever I can to get the team in the win column.”
The centreman, who was named assistant captain at the beginning of the season, is acutely aware of the role he can play for head coach Marty Williamson.
“I think this team can do really good things,” he said. “We have good depth, we roll four lines, we have good ‘D” and good goaltending.”
“And personally, I think I just need to keep working,” he added. “Keep my head on straight.”
“Just play my game and like I said, do what I can to control myself.”
It's @colebeaudoin11 szn 👀
The #NHLDraft prospect nets his first #OHL hat-trick to carry the @OHLBarrieColts to a big win at the Sadlon Arena! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/RJU01C8yHl
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 15, 2023