The Utah Hockey Club will be a franchise to watch this upcoming NHL season. Excitement is in the air for a new era of hockey in the Beehive State since, let's face it, the Arizona Coyotes did much of nothing in their entire existence. At least now, hope is in the air that better days are ahead with a solid draft class, some big free-agency moves, and trades to get the new season filled with optimism.
Looking at their 2024 NHL Draft class, general manager Bill Armstrong is assembling a good roster with many young prospects who could become household names in the future. When they officially drafted and recently signed Cole Beaudoin, it was easy to see how they struck gold with the 6-foot-2, 209-pound forward.
On paper, Beaudoin is a player UHC can build around over time. He's no stranger to success, having won two gold medals with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, respectfully. He's excellent with scoring goals and putting his teammates in a position to score, which will be a much-welcomed piece of the puzzle for the UHC.
Cole Beaudoin is going to be a household name for the Utah Hockey Club
Before the UHC drafted him, Beaudoin was heralded as a top prospect by many draft scouts and pundits due to his size, speed, and big playmaking abilities. It won't be long before everything comes together in his pro hockey career, and he hits the ice for the first time to continue where he started from all his early success. At 18 years old, his future is bright, especially being the No. 24 overall pick, recently signing his new team contract, and ready for the task at hand to push this franchise forward and out of their abysmal past.
Besides what he brings to the ice, it will be fun to see what kind of leadership he brings to the locker room. He was an alternate team captain with the Barrie Colts, which should translate well into being a leader for the UHC. He's a classic overachiever who works hard for all the success he's earned, which should positively affect his teammates as he gets used to life in the pros.
Considering he scored 28 goals for the Colts last season, it will be quite the event to see him make his NHL debut potentially as soon as this upcoming season. He has the complete package to be someone special, especially with what he can do in power-play situations. Last season, he led the team in power-play goals at 12, and since they're so important in the NHL these days, that could be where he's the biggest difference-maker on this roster. Beudoin's future is just as bright as the UHC, and time will tell what this franchise can finally achieve in this exciting chapter with new faces ready to start making history.