Former 1st-Rounder, 11-Year Veteran Signs In Switzerland

A former first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens (17th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, but unable to have an impact in the league for the past several seasons, defenseman Nathan Beaulieu will now take his talents to Switzerland, signing with EHC Kloten, joining a more recent Habs top prospect.

Kloten verpflichtet bis Ende Saison den Verteidiger Nathan Beaulieu. ✈️👀

Der 30-jährige Kanadier absolvierte letzte Saison 52 Spiele in der NHL (Anaheim Ducks) & 4 in der AHL (San Diego Gulls). Dabei verbuchte er ein Tor & vier Assists. 🎯🇨🇦#IchbinFan | @EHC_Kloten_1934 pic.twitter.com/5WjXhiJa9I

— MySports (@MySports_CH) November 1, 2023

The 30-year-old blueliner, Beaulieu played 52 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season, recording four assists with a minus-23 in about 15 minutes per night. He signed a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer, but didn't crack the team out of camp.

After 471 NHL games, Beaulieu will make his first foray overseas. With the Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and the Ducks, he registered a total of 12 goals and 98 points over 11 seasons, with 16:18 TOI per game.

Ironically, the former Habs first-rounder will now team up with the Canadiens' most recent first-round pick, No. 5 overall selection in the 2023 Draft, David Reinbacher, on the Kloten blueline. 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports