Utah HC trades into first round to draft Cole Beaudoin

LAS VEGAS (ABC4 Sports) – The Utah Hockey came into the NHL Draft with more draft picks than any team in the league. They used a few of them to trade back into the first round Friday night.

Utah traded a second round pick, a third round selection, and a 2025 second round pick for the 24th overall pick, which the team used to select 18-year-old center Cole Beaudoin.

“It’s incredible,” Beaudoin said. “Hearing my name called, being around my family and friends, it’s amazing. It’s something I won’t ever forget.”

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Beaudoin recorded 28-34-62 in 67 games during the 2023-24 season with Barrie, ranking second on the team in assists and third in goals and points. He led the team with 12 power-play goals, had four game-winning goals and added three short-handed goals. Barrie’s alternate captain also tallied 2-3-5 in six playoff games.

During the 2022-23 season with Barrie, the Kanata, Ontario, native registered 8-12-30 in 63 games and added two assists in 13 playoff games.

Beaudoin’s father Eric played in the NHL for three seasons for the Florida Panthers, and also played the 2001-2002 season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.

“I think he’s just excited,” Beaudoin said about his father. “He’s just proud of me. He’s just telling me since a young age is to work hard, so that’s something that I try to do. So he’s definitely been there for me.”

Beaudoin, who was ranked 25th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, tallying 2-2-4 in seven games. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording 3-3-6 in five games.

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