The Bonnyville Pontiacs are excited to announce that Nicolas Beaudoin has been named the AJHL Rookie of the Year.
Beaudoin received the most votes out of four finalists to win the Dick White Trophy, the league announced on Friday.
The St. Paul, Alberta native has taken the league by storm this season, scoring 39 goals and 33 assists in 54 games played heading into the regular season finale on Friday night. That is currently the lead amongst all rookies in goals and points, sitting two ahead of Brooks Bandits defenceman Sam Court, and second overall in goals amongst all skaters.
“I’m very happy for Nico, it’s well deserved,’ said head coach Mario Pouliot.
“He’s a great kid, he’s a passionate kid, he loves the game, he works extremely hard every day to get better. He builds his own success and is a guy that when the pressure is there, he is always pushing really hard to do good. I’m really proud to be his coach and it’s more than well deserved.”
Playing 17 games as an affiliate with the Yaks last season, Beaudoin was a star with the St. Paul Canadiens of the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League in 2021-22. He claimed Rookie of the Year in that league scoring 16 goals and 21 assists in 24 games, and registering 15 points in 10 games en route to a Provincials run.
“Nico’s dedication to the game of hockey and his success has been unwavering for years, coming in last year as a relatively unknown affiliate and eventually earning his spot on this years team, Nico has blazed a path that not many have and its a testament to his character and drive,’ stated associate general manager Neil Langridge.
“Nico is only the second Pontiac to ever receive the honour and i couldn’t be happier for him to be recognized for his accomplishments.”
His lineage is strong within the organization. Beaudoin’s older brother, Jean-Marc, was a stalwart with the franchise as well, playing from 2002-2006, and eventually becoming captain of Quinnipiac University in his senior year of NCAA hockey.
Nicolas will be following his brother’s footsteps onto the next level in the future as well, as he is committed to University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The Pontiacs organization is proud of the success Nicolas Beaudoin has achieved this season and know that the future remains bright for the Lakeland area product.
The Pontiacs are back in action in the RJ Lalonde tonight, March 3rd at 7:00pm, to close out the regular season.