Beaudoin commits to Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks

A St. Paul hockey player made a major announcement on Sunday evening.

Nicolas Beaudoin, who is in his first full season with the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs, has committed to the NCAA Division I University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play Division I hockey at the collegiate level and to pursue my education. Alaska Fairbanks University checked off both of these boxes and I was also very impressed with the coaches,” Beaudoin said in a press release.

The 2004-born forward has been off to an impressive start to his AJHL career. After playing 17 games with the club last year, he has raced out of the gates with 10 goals to not only lead the team in goals, but all rookies across the league.

The former St. Paul Canadien won the NEAJBHL Rookie of the Year last season.

He follows a line of former Pontiacs like AJ Macaulay, Will Hilfiker, and Matt McKim, who committed to the post-secondary from the Yaks in recent seasons.

“I want to begin by thanking the Pontiacs’ organization for their commitment to helping young players such as myself get to the next level. I am grateful that they gave me the opportunity to play at this level and for their belief in what I could bring to the Pontiacs. This organization is the reason I’m able to keep pursuing my dreams of playing high-level hockey,” said Beaudoin.

Beaudoin is the third Pontiac in a span of a week to get an NCAA committment. Defencemen Noah Heinrich and JR Ashmead will be going to RPI and Merrimack, respectively.

Associate general manager Neil Langridge credits the drive and work ethic as the catalyst for Beaudoin’s success.

“Nico is the true example and proof that all you need to succeed in life and sport is a relentless work ethic and drive to achieve your dreams. Nico came to the Pontiacs organization as a 17 year old last year and turned a lot of heads. When he finished the season with the Jr B Canadiens, he continued to develop and push himself to make the best of every situation and was a driver and force in the NEAJBHL,” said Langridge in a press release.

The St. Paul native most recently added to his offence putting up a goal in a 6-0 romp over the Grande Prairie Storm on Sunday.

The Pontiacs are 9-5-2 just after the quarter point of the season, sitting 2nd in the AJHL North.

They host the Whitecourt Wolverines for a pair of games Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

You can follow the Pontiacs coverage all season long with Michael Menzies on lakelandconnect.thedev.ca/pontiacs.