| François Beauchemin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Beauchemin with theAnaheim Ducks in 2012 | |||
| Born | (1980-06-04)June 4, 1980 (age 45) Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Columbus Blue Jackets Anaheim Ducks Toronto Maple Leafs Colorado Avalanche | ||
| National team |  Canada | ||
| NHL draft | 75th overall,1998 Montreal Canadiens | ||
| Playing career | 2000–2018 | ||
Joseph Jean-François Vinet Beauchemin (born June 4, 1980) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman who played in theNational Hockey League (NHL). Drafted in the third round, 75th overall, by theMontreal Canadiens in the1998 NHL entry draft, he spent most of his career playing for theAnaheim Ducks, winning aStanley Cup in2007.
Beauchemin playedmajor junior hockey in theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for four seasons with theLaval Titan Collège Français,Acadie-Bathurst Titan andMoncton Wildcats. In his NHL draft year, he recorded 47 points in 70 games with Laval. He was then drafted 76th overall by theMontreal Canadiens in the1998 NHL entry draft. Upon being drafted, he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons, helping Acadie-Bathurst to aPresident's Cup in1999 as QMJHL champions.
After signing an entry-level contract with the Canadiens, Beauchemin turned professional in the2000–01 season with theirAmerican Hockey League (AHL) affiliate at the time, theQuebec Citadelles. In 56 games, he was able to develop on the bottom pair with three goals and nine points. After a stagnant season in2001–02, Beauchemin experienced a brief loan to theMississippi Sea Wolves of theECHL.
Beauchemin enjoyed a successful third season within the Canadiens organization in2002–03, playing in 75 games with theHamilton Bulldogs, the club's new AHL affiliate, increasing his offensive presence with a strong defensive game in totalling 28 points in 75 games as the club finished atop the standings before losing in theCalder Cup finals in a deciding Game 7 to theHouston Aeros. On February 27, 2003, Beauchemin made his NHL debut with the Canadiens, against theMinnesota Wild, his only NHL appearance of the season. On June 17, 2003, as a restricted free agent, Beauchemin signed a two-year contract extension with Montreal.[1]
In the2003–04 season, Beauchemin was unable to make the Canadiens' roster, remaining in the AHL as the Bulldogs top defenceman to improve his career best points totals with 36 in 77 games. On September 14, 2004, he was placed on waivers and claimed by theColumbus Blue Jackets.[2] As NHL play was suspended due to the2004–05 NHL lockout, he spent the2004–05 season with the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, theSyracuse Crunch.
In the2005–06 season, Beauchemin earned an NHL roster spot for opening night with the Blue Jackets and played 11 games with the club in before being traded (along withTyler Wright) to theMighty Ducks of Anaheim in exchange forSergei Fedorov on November 15, 2005.[3] He made his Ducks debut on November 18 in a game against theColorado Avalanche and later scored his first NHL goal in game against theCarolina Hurricanes on December 6, 2005. He emerged as a top-four defenceman with the Ducks and immediately began producing, scoring 34 points in 61 games after the trade to finish fourth among rookie defenceman in scoring. In the2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Beauchemin contributed with 9 points in 16 games to lead all rookie defenceman.
After establishing himself with the Ducks, Beauchemin helped Anaheim to aStanley Cup championship in just his second full season in2006–07.[4] He contributed four goals and four assists during the2007 playoffs for the Ducks. In the following2007–08 season, he continued his play among the top-four defenceman on the Ducks and appeared in his 200th NHL game on February 2, 2008, against thePhiladelphia Flyers.
On November 14, 2008, Beauchemin suffered atorn ACL in his left knee in a game against theNashville Predators. He was expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the2008–09 season, but returned to the Ducks for theirWestern Conference Quarterfinal playoff series against theSan Jose Sharks.[5]
On July 6, 2009, as an unrestricted free agent and with the Ducks close to the salary cap ceiling, Beauchemin left the Ducks to sign a three-year, $11.4 million contract with theToronto Maple Leafs.[6] Looked upon to bring a veteran presence and leadership from the blueline, he appeared in all 82 of Toronto's games during the2009–10 season. Beauchemin produced 5 goals and 26 points and led the club in time on ice in his first season as an alternate captain with the Maple Leafs. He appeared in his 300th career NHL game on January 26, 2010, against theLos Angeles Kings.
In the following2010–11 season, Beauchemin began the season on the top defensive pairing, alongsideDion Phaneuf. With his production down and with the Maple Leafs heading towards again missing the playoffs, on February 9, 2011, Beauchemin was traded back to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for left wingerJoffrey Lupul, defencemanJake Gardiner and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in2013.[7]
Beauchemin was a welcomed return for the Anaheim Ducks, resuming a role as a top-four defenceman to help the club reach the playoffs. He appeared in his 400th career NHL game on March 23, 2011, against theDallas Stars.
In his sixth season with the Ducks, in2011–12, Beauchemin provided a defensive anchor and was looked upon to lead the Ducks in ice time. He led the NHL in short-handed ice time and on January 21 blocked nine shots against theOttawa Senators to set a Ducks franchise record. On January 20, 2012, Beauchemin signed a three-year, US$10.5 million contract extension to remain in Anaheim. He finished the season scoring 8 goals and 22 points in 82 games.
In the shortenedlockout2012–13 season, Beauchemin appeared in all 48 regular season games for the Ducks, and again led the club in ice time. He led the blueline in scoring with 24 points and appeared in his 500th career NHL game on February 6, 2013, against the Avalanche. He recorded a career-high four points (all assists) in a victory over the Avalanche on February 24, 2013. In the2013 playoffs, Beauchemin scored his tenth career playoff goal to surpassScott Niedermayer as the franchise leader in playoff goals for a defenceman, doing so in Game 1 of the Conference Quarterfinals against theDetroit Red Wings. Beauchemin finished fourth inJames Norris Memorial Trophy voting, the award given to the NHL's defenceman of the year. He lost-out to winnerP. K. Subban and finalistsRyan Suter andKris Letang, although Beauchemin wonThe Hockey News' Rod Langway Award as Best Defensive Defenceman in 2013. He was also named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team.[8]
In the2013–14 season, Beauchemin scored 17 points in 70 games, placing fifth in the NHL in plus-minus as the Ducks claimed the top seeding in the Western Conference from the regular season. Beauchemin played his 600th career NHL game on March 23, 2014, against theFlorida Panthers, and was selected as the Ducks' nominee for theBill Masterton Memorial Trophy.[9]
Beauchemin scored a career-high 11 goals for 23 points in 63 games with the Ducks during the2014–15 season. He recorded nine assists during the2015 playoffs as the Ducks were eliminated in seven games in the Western Conference Finals by theChicago Blackhawks. With the Ducks acquisition ofKevin Bieksa in the off-season, signalling the end of his Ducks tenure as an impending free agent, Beauchemin left the club second among all defenceman in franchise history in goals, assists and points. He also left tied withRyan Getzlaf for most playoff games for the Ducks with 97.[10]
On July 1, 2015, and in the opening hour of free agency, Beauchemin signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.[11] Adding a veteran presence to a young blueline in Colorado, Beauchemin recorded three assists in his debut with the Avalanche on opening night in a 5–4 defeat to theMinnesota Wild on October 8, 2015.[12] In playing in a top-pairing role alongsideErik Johnson in the2015–16 season, Beauchemin matched his rookie season with the Mighty Ducks in 2005–06 in contributing 8 goals and 34 points while leading the Avalanche in ice-time through 82 games.[13]
On October 13, 2016, two days before the Avalanche home opener, Beauchemin was named an alternate captain for the2016–17 season.[14] In his second season with the Avalanche, Beauchemin was unable to repeat his performance as a top pairing defenceman with the cellar-dwelling Avalanche. On January 25, 2017, Beauchemin appeared in his 800th career NHL game in a 3–2 defeat to theVancouver Canucks.[15] He completed the season with 5 goals and 18 points in 81 games. Because he had a no-movement clause in his contract, which limited the team's flexibility in the upcomingexpansion draft; and because of the Avalanche's intentions to make the transition to become younger, Beauchemin was bought-out from the final year of his contract in Colorado on June 15, 2017, in order to protect a younger player from being claimed by the expansionVegas Golden Knights.[16][17]
On August 21, 2017, Beauchemin returned to the Ducks for a third stint after signing a one-year, $1 million contract.[18] Beauchemin, who announced the2017–18 season would be his last as a player, retired after the Ducks were eliminated in afirst round playoff sweep by the San Jose Sharks.[19]
Beauchemin was selected for the2010 Winter Olympics summer preliminary roster forTeam Canada in August 2009, but did not make the final roster cut.[20] After failing to make the2010 playoffs with Toronto, he made his senior debut at the2010 IIHF World Championships. Serving as an alternate captain, Beauchemin recorded one assist in seven games as Canada finished in seventh place in the tournament.
Beauchemin and his wife Marie Claude have two children: a son and a daughter.[21][22] Both were born inAnaheim,California.[23] The family resides in their hometownSorel, Quebec, during the off-season.
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1995–96 | Collège Charles-Lemoyne | QMAAA | 40 | 9 | 23 | 32 | 59 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 8 | |||
| 1996–97 | Laval Titan Collège Français | QMJHL | 66 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 112 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Laval Titan Collège Français | QMJHL | 70 | 12 | 35 | 47 | 132 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 23 | ||
| 1998–99 | Acadie-Bathurst Titan | QMJHL | 31 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 53 | 23 | 2 | 16 | 18 | 55 | ||
| 1999–2000 | Acadie-Bathurst Titan | QMJHL | 38 | 11 | 36 | 47 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | Moncton Wildcats | QMJHL | 33 | 8 | 31 | 39 | 35 | 16 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 14 | ||
| 2000–01 | Quebec Citadelles | AHL | 56 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Mississippi Sea Wolves | ECHL | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Quebec Citadelles | AHL | 56 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 88 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 75 | 7 | 21 | 28 | 92 | 23 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 16 | ||
| 2002–03 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 77 | 9 | 27 | 36 | 57 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 18 | ||
| 2004–05 | Syracuse Crunch | AHL | 72 | 3 | 27 | 30 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 61 | 8 | 26 | 34 | 41 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | ||
| 2006–07 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 71 | 7 | 21 | 28 | 49 | 20 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | ||
| 2007–08 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 82 | 2 | 19 | 21 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | ||
| 2008–09 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 20 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | ||
| 2009–10 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 82 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 54 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 27 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 82 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 48 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2013–14 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 70 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 39 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 64 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 48 | 16 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 8 | 26 | 34 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 81 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 67 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| NHL totals | 903 | 76 | 212 | 288 | 490 | 101 | 10 | 29 | 39 | 80 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Canada | WC | 7th | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Senior totals | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| QMJHL | ||
| All-Rookie Team | 1997 | |
| CHL Top Prospects Game | 1998 | |
| President's Cup | 1999 | |
| Second All-Star Team | 2000 | |
| CHL Third All-Star Team | 2000 | |
| NHL | ||
| Stanley Cup | 2007 | [4] |
| Second All-Star Team | 2013 | [8] |
