Montreal Canadiens former first-round pick, Nathan Beaulieu, announced his retirement from hockey Wednesday morning. The 2011 17th overall pick spent parts of five seasons with the Canadiens. In 225 games for the Canadiens, he recorded seven goals and 60 points before being moved to the Buffalo Sabres in 2017.
Congratulations to Nathan Beaulieu, who has officially announced his retirement from pro hockey 🏒⁰
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 23, 2025
Wishing the former first-round pick the best of luck in the future! pic.twitter.com/yYHEIxRy0j
Beaulieu was a star for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL, helping them win two Gilles-Courteau Trophies and a Memorial Cup in 2011. In four seasons with the Sea Dogs, Beaulieu had 37 goals and 152 points in 233 games. His junior career had people projecting him as a potential star offensive defenceman, but he never really found his stride in the NHL.
The former first-round pick spent two seasons with the Sabres before being moved to the Winnipeg Jets, where he played parts of four seasons with the team. Beaulieu was then traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, but never suited up for the team. His final stop in the NHL came with the Anaheim Ducks, where he managed just four points in 52 games.
After accepting a professional tryout offer from the Carolina Hurricanes, Beaulieu ultimately decided to take his game to Europe, where he played for Kloten HC in Switzerland, alongside Canadiens' top prospect David Reinbacher. He played in just 13 games with Kloten HC, recording two points. He moved to the KHL for the 2024-25 season, playing for the Nur-Sultan Barys. Beaulieu recorded a single point in his eight games with the Barys before being unexpectedly released by the team. Following his release from the team, Beaulieu signed with HC Nové Zámky in Slovakia but never featured in a game.