5 dynamic forward prospects for Blackhawks fans to know before the 2024 NHL Draft

Cole Beaudoin, C/Barrie

Cole Beaudoin just celebrated his 18th birthday, and you can celebrate his ideal size for the NHL game more than anything else, as he clocks in at 6’2, 201 lbs. Like many prospects projected to go later in the first round, Beaudoin isn’t a point-per-game scorer just yet, but he still amassed a respectable 62 and 24 goals in 67 contests with the Barrie Colts. 

This was a major improvement from what we saw from him last season when he contributed just 20 points and eight goals in 63 regular season games. There should be little doubt that heading into next season, Beaudoin will exceed the point-per-game barrier and become one of the OHL’s premier players. 

The production and overall development will come, but leadership skills are something Beaudoin appears to be ahead of the curve in. He may have played in just his second season with the Colts, but Beaudoin is already an alternate captain for the team, and that ‘A’ could evolve into a ‘C’ either next season, or the year after. 

Despite his solid but unspectacular production when compared to some of the 2024 draft’s top prospects, we don’t need to hold it too much against Beaudoin. He spent the previous two seasons under the age of 18. By the time he’s 20, Beaudoin should be more than ready for the pro (AHL) ranks.