On a night when his dreams came true, and he heard his name called out at the NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Cole Beaudoin realized it wouldn’t be long before he started living that dream.
Just a couple of hours after Utah had made him the 24th overall selection in the draft on Friday night, the Barrie Colts centre found out he had to fly out the next day to Utah for their prospects camp slated to begin on Monday.
It's good he didn’t pack light when he and his family left their home in Nepean for Sin City early last week.
“I think I packed enough clothes. I should be good,” said Beaudoin, before laughing out loud. “I’m excited and can’t wait.”
Barrie teammate Riley Patterson was also facing the same dilemma. Drafted in the fourth round by the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, the Burlington native learned he would have to fly to the West Coast the next day.
The idea that he might not have brought enough clothes was the least of his worries. He’s more than willing to do a little laundry if it means beginning his journey to what he hopes is a long career in the NHL.
“It’s definitely a reason that’s good,” he said, adding a chuckle when asked if he might have to do some laundry to get his career in the Canucks organization started. “I’m not mad about it."
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Trips out west to prospect camps aside, both Beaudoin and Patterson didn’t need to step on a plane to fly high. Both won’t be coming down anytime soon after finally fulfilling a life-long dream.
“It was incredible,” Beaudoin said of hearing his name called out by Utah. “I was kind of speechless and kind of couldn’t believe it. To hear my name get called, it was incredible. I just gave my family a hug and just being with them it was amazing.”
The hard-working forward, who came into the draft ranked 25th overall in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings among North American skaters, had no idea where he would land.
After selecting former NHL star Jerome Iginla’s son, Tij Iginla, with it sixth overall pick, Utah brought in another big, strong forward into the organization in Beaudoin.
The six-foot-two, 206-pound 10th overall pick in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection had a breakout year in his second season with the Colts, finishing with 28 goals and 34 assists for 62 points in 67 games.
“I’m just happy with Utah picking me,” said Beaudoin. “Them having trust in me and believing in me to pick me, it’s incredible. I’ve heard so many things about (Utah). Obviously, they’re a new franchise and to be the second player drafted ever to the franchise is incredible.”
His impressive work ethic combined with a will and determination like few others had in the draft certainly stood out for Utah general manager Bill Armstrong.
With an organization that has yet to even choose a name after being relocated from Arizona, Armstrong believes Beaudoin’s dedication to bettering himself could rub off on other players in Utah.
“To me, his work ethic might change the culture of our organization, just how hard he plays the game,” said Armstrong after selecting the Colts standout.
Beaudoin took everything in at the draft and celebrated with family, but now the next step begins, and that means getting back to work, back to being the guy who does everything at full speed.
“That’s kind of who I am, being a determined player,” he said. “That’s just grinding, being able to battle through adversity and keep doing the things that I do.”
For Patterson, his night was made even more memorable by being taken in the same draft as his good friend and Colts’ linemate Beaudoin.
“It was special,” he said of hearing both their names and both having their dreams come true.
As it was being able to celebrate a night he’ll always remember with his family and friends.
“It’s something you work so hard for and to finally have my name called is super special,” said the six-foot, 194-pound forward who finished with an OHL high 29 rookie goals and 62 points in 68 games, which were second to only Hamilton Bulldogs’ forward Jake O’Brien (64 points) in rookie scoring.
“I’m just so happy I can spend it with my family and friends here.”
Patterson joins a Canucks franchise that is coming off a 50-win season to take the Pacific Division title and advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs before falling 3-2 to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7.
“It’s such a good organization, and they’re trending upwards, so to be a part of it now is special and an opportunity I’m really looking forward to,” he said.
Patterson was also grateful for the opportunity that led him here.
The Canadian Junior Hockey Players of the Year with the North York Rangers in 2022-23, the 18-year-old was drafted by the Flint Firebirds in the third round of the 2022 OHL draft, but decided he would instead play NCAA Division 1 hockey.
That was until the Colts acquired his rights. Patterson decided to sign with Barrie and after a slow start this past season, he caught fire when he was placed alongside Beaudoin and Tai York on a line.
Looking around the Sphere in Las Vegas and sporting a Vancouver Canucks jersey and hat, Patterson is certainly happy he decided to come to Barrie.
“I’m pumped and I can’t thank the coaching staff enough,” he said. “Having the opportunity they provided me this year was something I will also be grateful for, and I just want to continue to move forward and have a great year next year.”
And just like Beaudoin, that means getting down to work.
“The next step is beginning, and I just want to continue to improve this summer,” said Patterson. “Work on the areas I need to and do what it takes to be better.”
Barrie teammates Bode Wilde, Sam Hillebrandt, Jack Brauti, and Beau Jelsma were all passed over in this year’s draft.
Other players selected in the 2024 NHL draft with local connections included Newmarket native and Barrie Colts 2024 OHL draft pick John Mustard. The six-foot, 186-pound forward was selected in the third round (67th overall) by the Chicago Black Hawks.
Wasaga Beach native and North Bay Battalion forward Ethan Procyszyn was taken with the next pick in the third round by the Anaheim Ducks after recording 15 goals and 36 points in 62 games with the Troops.
Barrie native and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goaltender Landon Miller was selected in the fourth round (126th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings.
