Beaulieu Excited To Return Home

Moving away from home at a young age to play hockey is nothing new for players in the Canadian Hockey League.

However for Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman and Strathroy, Ontario native Nathan Beaulieu, his move was quite a bit different.

“My dad got a job in Saint John [as GM and head coach] so my family moved out there,” Beaulieu told OpenIceHockey.  “I was there a couple of years including my midget year so that’s why I was drafted into the Quebec league.”

Beaulieu went on to explain that it wasn’t exactly the easiest move for his family to make, but necessary since it was a business decision.

“The whole family went,” he said. “It was tough at first leaving your friends and family back home but we knew it was for work. It was an easy move and there are a lot of nice people out there [in Saint John].”

For the next week however, Beaulieu is back home in Ontario, and says he was very excited about the chance to play in front of the people who supported him growing up.

“It’s always good to come home,” he said.  “I have a lot of support here from friends and family. I was very fortunate for the Memorial Cup to be in Ontario.”

Some of those friends include current Ontario Hockey League players Greg McKegg of the Erie Otters, Steven Shipley of the Niagara IceDogs and Derrick Hartwick of the Soo Greyhounds.

“I keep in touch with those guys and they’re still close buddies,” he said.  “It’s good seeing them have success in the OHL and me in the QMJHL.  We can swap ideas and stuff like that so I have the best of both worlds.”

Growing up playing as a forward for the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs, Beaulieu had just completed another difficult transition in his life during his peewee season; moving from his natural position, to defense.

“There was a shortage of guys on the back end so I got thrown back there,” he explained. “And ever since I fell in love with it and stuck to it.”

Both moves have worked out well for Beaulieu, as he is one of the top rated defenseman heading into this year’s NHL entry draft.

This season, he not only led all Sea Dogs’ defensemen in scoring with 12 goals and 45 points, but he set a team record with a plus-44 rating, which surpassed his own record of plus-43 set the season prior.

Asked if he thinks about the upcoming draft and playing in the pressure cooker that is the Memorial Cup, Beaulieu was humble with his response.

“A little bit, but right now it’s mostly about winning,” he said.  “With team success comes personal success.  So if the team is winning I think I’ll get noticed some more. The team comes first and hopefully I’ll continue to contribute.”

As for his future goals, Beaulieu knows that his focus needs to be on what he’s doing now, rather than what will take place after his name is called on June 24^th in Minnesota.

“I’ll probably make those after the draft, deciding where I want to be next year and what I want to accomplish,” he said.  “My main goal right now is winning this trophy.”

Follow Jesse Michael on Twitter @OpenIceHockey