Name: Nathan Beaulieu
Birth Date: December 5, 1992
Birth Place: Strathroy, Ontario
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 191 pounds
Hand: Left
Drafted: 2011, 1st round, 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 QMJHL Draft by the Saint John Sea Dogs, Beaulieu's father was briefly the head coach until being replaced by Gerard Gallant. This made Beaulieu strongly reconsider playing with the Sea Dogs, but he eventually opted to stay with the team after speaking with Gallant.
Noted as an offensive defenseman with an edge, Beaulieu is another good, young defenseman that is good on the powerplay, reliable in his own end (whether it be with a stick check, or taking the body), and overall a great skater. Eliteprospects describes him as such:
"A defenseman with fast, strong skating. Moves the puck well and is very useful as a playmaker on powerplay. Has a strong shot and good vision. Uses his stick well defensively and can be physical, when needed."
Vastly improving since his rookie season with the Sea Dogs where he scored only 10 points in 49 games, Beaulieu scored 45 points in each of the two following seasons. This season, you ask? Through 49 games, Nathan has an outstanding 51 points (11 goals, 40 assists). Add to that an incredible +42 and 91 PIMs (verifying his edge or nastiness, as some say), and I'd say this 19 year old defenseman is doing at least a few things right.
And now, we watch:
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The kid has a great shot, great agility, and even a little bit of swagger (as much as I hate that word). Remind you of any other Habs' defensemen? Hint: P.K. Subban. I'm not sure I want to imagine Subban and Beaulieu running the point, that's going to be deadly.
Montreal's bad season aside, they've got some good reinforcements coming in on their blueline soon. Very soon, Habs fans.
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