Beaudoin looks to build on last year’s World Juniors

Terry Wilson / OHL Images.

Cole Beaudoin is back with Hockey Canada’s national junior team. The Barrie Colts forward is one of six returnees from last year’s fifth-place finish.

“It’s super exciting, obviously,” Beaudoin said. “It’s not what we wanted last year, but it’s a new year now. A new group of guys and a new coaching staff. I’m excited to be back and bring home a gold medal.”

Last year, Beaudoin played in all five games, tallying one assist and 27 penalty minutes

The Ottawa native is excited for another opportunity to represent his country. Internationally, he has won gold with Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U18 World Championship.

“I’m just trying to motivate the group and bring some leadership skills to that locker room,“ he said. “Getting everyone going for that first game and set the tone right from the first puck drop.”

With Barrie this season, the 19-year-old has 14 goals and 41 points in 24 games, while co-captaining the team with defenceman Kashawn Aitcheson.

Beaudoin has won 55.6 percent of his faceoffs this season, a skill he’s focused on at camp with Mike Eagles, a former NHL forward with more than 850 career games.

“It was super cool,” Beaudoin said. “I love doing faceoffs, the technique, every single thing about it. I watch the centremen I go up against, so I’m big into it.”

“Different drills I’d never really done before,” he added. “A strong-on-strong drill that I really enjoyed that I’m going to continue to work on.”

Throughout camp in Niagara Falls, Beaudoin has centred Penn State star Gavin McKenna and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone.

Beaudoin has modelled parts of his game after former Boston Bruins captain and six-time Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron.

Canada will rely on Beaudoin’s competitiveness and strong two-way game as they looks to medal again after back-to-back quarterfinal exits.