Cole Beaudoin – Barrie Colts – Player Profile

HT	WT	DOB	POS	SH	OHL DRAFT	NHLCS	NAT
6’2”	206	Apr 24, 2006	C	L	10th, 2022	31st, N.A.	CANADA

SEASON	LEAGUE	TEAM	GP	G	A	PTS
2019-2020	HEO U14	Ottawa Myers	30	13	27	40
2021-2022	HEO U18	Nepean Raiders	32	24	53	77
2022-2023	OHL	Barrie Colts	63	8	12	20
2022-2023	WHC U17	Canada Black	7	3	2	5
2023-2024	Hlinka/Gretzky	Canada	5	3	3	6
2023-2024	OHL	Barrie Colts	67	28	34	62

Cole Beaudoin is an intriguing prospect who remains somewhat mysterious. If not necessarily the best, he is one of the top 3 defensive forwards in the draft class. Beaudoin boasts high-level skills for disrupting plays in the neutral zone, blocking passing lanes in his own end, and maintaining excellent defensive positioning. His penalty killing abilities are also nearly unmatched at this level.

Consistency is a concern, as his performance fluctuates dramatically both shift-to-shift and game-to-game. He is prone to disappearing acts that leave you questioning if he even played, yet also capable of impressive displays reminiscent of the player you hoped to see.

Offensively, Beaudoin has not lived up to expectations despite driving play in top international tournaments like the World Hockey Challenge Under-17 and Hlinka-Gretzky Cup even though he neared a point per game. His league play has been underwhelming in that department.

One season ago, his skating skills were rightly questioned. He has clearly put in effort to improve those abilities, but still has more work to do. Adding speed, improving lateral movement and edge work would benefit his skating.

The most intriguing aspect is Beaudoin’s evident maturity and skill when fully engaged, which suggest he could reach the NHL level if he continues improving his skating and consistency.

That’s worth a mid-second round pick to me.