Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu retires

Back in February of 2019 the Jets acquired Nathan Beaulieu from the Sabres for a sixth round pick in the draft later that year. For what it’s worth that pick was traded by Buffalo to Vancouver who selected Karel Plášek a winger out of the Czech who played eight games in the AHL.

He would go on to play three full seasons in Winnipeg getting into 105 games with the Jets (including his milestone 400th) finishing with one goal and 17 assists. During the 2021-22 season he was dealt to the Penguins for a conditional 2022 7th round pick. That condition was not met so Pittsburgh retained the selection which they would deal to Florida who selected Liam Arnsby, a player who just concluded his first pro season in the ECHL (with one game in the AHL).

He didn’t play any games for the Penguins and was signed by the Ducks the next season playing 52 games for Anaheim during the 2022-23 season. He’d then head to Europe for the next two years.

Beaulieu was a physical player who wasn’t afraid to lay a bit hit or drop the gloves.

The Ontario product was drafted by the Canadiens in the 1st round of the 2011 Draft. He played a total of 471 games in the NHL scoring 12 goals and adding 86 assists.