The Scouting Report
Cole Beaudoin is a 6-foot-2 and 209-pound center who is coming off of a career year with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The native of Kanata, Ontario, Canada is a player who is not elite at one thing but is the complete package because he can do many things well. After tripling his offensive production (20 points in 2022-23 to 62 in 2023-24) in the previous season, he is ready to take the next step. He wore the “A” as the assistant captain of the Colts last season and is a vocal leader who leads by example. An average skater with a long stride, he won gold at the 2023-24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup by playing a solid, 200-foot game. He is projected to go in the early in the second round.
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Draft Projection
Ranked #45 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #31 by ELITEPROSPECTS
Ranked #54 by TSN/ CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #36 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #25 by CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #32 by Conrad Jack of Inside The Rink
I’ve highlighted some of Cole Beaudoin’s attributes. Let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes and areas for improvement.
Digging Deeper
He is becoming a top-tier prospect with his development and his overall game. While he is excelling at the defensive end, he is still capable of scoring between 25-30 goals in any given season. He scores a majority of his goals in close proximity and could be an asset on the power play. He takes time and space away from the opposing forwards, turning that into an offensive scoring chance.
Attribute One
He is strong with the puck and plays the cycle game well. Beaudoin protects the puck along the boards, supporting the puck with amazing leg strength. While this is effective in puck possession, he extends the play in the offensive zone. He is difficult to knock off the puck because of his size and uses that to his advantage in the offensive zone.
“Though he’s definitely not quick (which showed up in the on-ice testing in Moncton) and he needs to work on his skating, he’s a strong and sturdy skater once he gets into his stride, which allows him to get after it on the forecheck (where he excels) and backcheck (he really tracks pucks) and drive play down ice. Beaudoin is a very well-rounded player who supports pucks well on both sides, protects pucks well against defenders and can be relied upon defensively and offensively.”- Scott Wheeler- The Athletic, March 25
Attribute Two
Beaudoin’s shot release is sneaky. He takes a lot of shots in stride, not giving the goaltender a chance to set up. His shot is not heavy but is quick and accurate, releasing them from various angles. His compact release comes off the rush and in tight, giving the defense little time to adjust and react. He dramatically increased his goal totals from eight in 2022-23 to 28 in 2023-24. Beaudoin could be an asset for a team looking for secondary scoring.
Attribute Three
His two-way game has greatly improved over his two seasons in the OHL. He is dangerous on the offensive end and as dangerous in the defensive end. Beaudoin gives the opposing forwards little time and space, smothering them when they get the puck. He is willing to block shots and take space away with his long reach while taking over in the offensive zone with his creativity. He excels at fore checking and back checking, putting pressure on the puck, ready to make a quick transition to offense.
“At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Beaudoin loves to power throw guys to make things happen. He’s a good goal-scorer with an excellent shot, but he also plays various roles with the Colts.”- Steven Ellis- Daily Faceoff, March 9
Areas for Improvement
Beaudoin’s skating is not his strong suite. His strides are long but also choppy as he tries to gain speed. He needs to work on explosiveness and quickness as he further develops with Barrie. Sometimes he can get left behind due to his lack of speed. He could use this time to work on that aspect of his game. This skill is keeping him from being a first round talent.
While his defensive game is good, he could benefit with time working on the penalty kill. He often gets caught looking around for someone to cover instead of sticking with his man.He also has a tough time getting the puck out of the zone, often leading to another scoring chance for the opposition. His time management on the kill is an issue as he has more time and space than he thinks. Simple. minor adjustments could see him put in a bigger role.
Prospect Potential
Beaudoin has the chance to be a versatile player who plays both special teams. He can play anywhere in the lineup and be effective, contributing in many ways. As far as point production, he could be a consistent 50-60 point player who is also a shutdown forward. A middle-six forward with talent that many teams could use in the draft.
Best Potential Fit
When looking at his skill set and his overall stats, the New York Islanders jump out at #18. The Islanders are not a fast team and score a majority of their goals in close, which is Beaudoin. He fits the mold of a prototypical Islanders player and could give them the additional scoring they lack. He can also play center or left wing.
Final Thought
There is nothing elite about the Beaudoin game. However, he does everything well and maybe a sleeper in this draft. He is a player who resembles the play of Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron, a talented player who could play both ends of the ice extremely well while maintaining a steady work ethic. He is expected to go early in the second round but he could be a player that is taken early. Good, solid player who could make a difference on any team given the right opportunity.
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