Photo: Getty Images
PRESS RELEASE
Penguins Acquire Defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Winnipeg Jets in Exchange for a Conditional 2022 Seventh-Round Draft Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (boh-L’YUH) from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a conditional 2022 seventh-round draft pick, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall.
Beaulieu is signed through the 2021-22 season and his contract carries an average annual value of $1.25 million. He was placed on long-term injured reserve by Winnipeg on March 9, and will remain on LTIR.
Beaulieu, 29, has suited up for 24 games this season for the Jets, recording four assists. The veteran of 419 games and 10 NHL seasons has split his career between Winnipeg, Buffalo and Montreal, where he has totaled 12 goals, 82 assists and 94 points. The defenseman was teammates with Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues in Buffalo from 2017-19.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman’s best season came in 2016-17 with Montreal, where he set career highs across the board in games played (74), goals (4), assists (24), points (28), power-play goals (2), power-play points (12), hits (65) and blocked shots (102).
Beaulieu has also skated in 21 career playoff games with Montreal and Winnipeg, recording five assists.
Prior to turning professional, Beaulieu played four seasons for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2008-12. In 233 career junior games, the defenseman recorded 37 goals, 115 assists and 152 points. Beaulieu won the Memorial Cup in 2011, while being named to the tournament’s all-star team.
Internationally, Beaulieu represented Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship, where he tallied one assist in six games on the way to a bronze medal.
The Strathroy, ON native was originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft by Montreal.
Thumbnail via Getty Images