François Beauchemin
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Joseph Jean-François Vinet Beauchemin (born June 4, 1980) is a
Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...
former professional
ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
defenceman Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
who played in the
National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL). Drafted in the third round, 75th overall, by the
Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in the 1998 NHL entry draft, he spent most of his career playing for the Anaheim Ducks, winning a
Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
in
2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
.


Playing career


Junior

Beauchemin played major junior hockey in the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; , LHJMQ), formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The league includes teams in Quebec ...
(QMJHL) for four seasons with the Laval Titan Collège Français, Acadie-Bathurst Titan and Moncton Wildcats. In his NHL draft year, he recorded 47 points in 70 games with Laval. He was then drafted 76th overall by the
Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in the 1998 NHL entry draft. Upon being drafted, he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons, helping Acadie-Bathurst to a President's Cup in
1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
as QMJHL champions.


Professional


Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets

After signing an entry-level contract with the Canadiens, Beauchemin turned professional in the 2000–01 season with their
American Hockey League The American Hockey League (AHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that serves as the primary developmental league of the National Hockey League (NHL). The league comprises 32 teams, with 26 in the United States and 6 in Cana ...
(AHL) affiliate at the time, the Quebec Citadelles. In 56 games, he was able to develop on the bottom pair with three goals and nine points. After a stagnant season in 2001–02, Beauchemin experienced a brief loan to the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the
ECHL The ECHL (formerly the East Coast Hockey League) is a minor professional ice hockey league based in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, with teams across the United States and Canada. Competitively, it is a tier below the American Hockey League (AHL). The ...
. Beauchemin enjoyed a successful third season within the Canadiens organization in 2002–03, playing in 75 games with the Hamilton 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 the Calder Cup finals in a deciding Game 7 to the Houston Aeros. On February 27, 2003, Beauchemin made his NHL debut with the Canadiens, against the
Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
, 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. In the 2003–04 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 the
Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...
. As NHL play was suspended due to the
2004–05 NHL lockout The 2004–05 NHL lockout was a labor lockout that resulted in the cancellation of the National Hockey League (NHL) season, which would have been its 88th season of play. The main dispute was the league's desire to implement a salary cap to ...
, he spent the 2004–05 season with the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.


Anaheim Ducks

In the 2005–06 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 with Tyler Wright) to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in exchange for Sergei Fedorov on November 15, 2005. He made his Ducks debut on November 18 in a game against the
Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...
and later scored his first NHL goal in game against the
Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
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 the 2006 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 a
Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
championship in just his second full season in 2006–07. He contributed four goals and four assists during the 2007 playoffs for the Ducks. In the following 2007–08 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 the
Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...
. On November 14, 2008, Beauchemin suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in a game against the
Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...
. He was expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the 2008–09 season, but returned to the Ducks for their Western Conference Quarterfinal playoff series against the
San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...
.


Toronto Maple Leafs

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 the
Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
. Looked upon to bring a veteran presence and leadership from the blueline, he appeared in all 82 of Toronto's games during the 2009–10 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 the
Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...
. In the following 2010–11 season, Beauchemin began the season on the top defensive pairing, alongside Dion 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 winger Joffrey Lupul, defenceman Jake Gardiner and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in
2013 2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years). 2013 was designated as: *International Year of Water Cooperation *International Year of Quinoa Events January * January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
.


Return to Anaheim

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 the
Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...
. In his sixth season with the Ducks, in 2011–12, 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 the Ottawa 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 shortened lockout 2012–13 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 the 2013 playoffs, Beauchemin scored his tenth career playoff goal to surpass Scott Niedermayer as the franchise leader in playoff goals for a defenceman, doing so in Game 1 of the Conference Quarterfinals against the
Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
. Beauchemin finished fourth in James Norris Memorial Trophy voting, the award given to the NHL's defenceman of the year. He lost-out to winner
P. K. Subban Pernell-Karl Sylvester Subban ( ; born May 13, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Between 2009 and 2022, he played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and ...
and finalists Ryan Suter and Kris Letang, although Beauchemin won
The Hockey News ''The Hockey News'' (''THN'') is a Canadian-based ice hockey magazine. ''The Hockey News'' was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Will Cote and has since become the most recognized hockey publication in North America. The magazine has a reader ...
' Rod Langway Award as Best Defensive Defenceman in 2013. He was also named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team. In the 2013–14 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 the
Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
, and was selected as the Ducks' nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Beauchemin scored a career-high 11 goals for 23 points in 63 games with the Ducks during the 2014–15 season. He recorded nine assists during the 2015 playoffs as the Ducks were eliminated in seven games in the Western Conference Finals by the
Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
. With the Ducks acquisition of Kevin 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 with Ryan Getzlaf for most playoff games for the Ducks with 97.


Colorado Avalanche

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. 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 the
Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...
on October 8, 2015. In playing in a top-pairing role alongside Erik Johnson in the 2015–16 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. On October 13, 2016, two days before the Avalanche home opener, Beauchemin was named an alternate captain for the 2016–17 season. 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 the
Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
. 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 upcoming
expansion draft An expansion draft, in professional sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new expansion teams or sports franchising, franchises. This occurs mainly in Sports in North America, North American sports and closed leagues. O ...
; 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 expansion
Vegas Golden Knights The Vegas Golden Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in the Las Vegas Valley, Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Golden Knights compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division ...
.


Second return to Anaheim

On August 21, 2017, Beauchemin returned to the Ducks for a third stint after signing a one-year, $1 million contract. Beauchemin, who announced the 2017–18 season would be his last as a player, retired after the Ducks were eliminated in a first round playoff sweep by the San Jose Sharks.


International play

Beauchemin was selected for the
2010 Winter Olympics The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games () and also known as Vancouver 2010 (), were an international winter multi-sport event held from February 12 to 28, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with ...
summer preliminary roster for Team Canada in August 2009, but did not make the final roster cut. After failing to make the 2010 playoffs with Toronto, he made his senior debut at the 2010 IIHF World Championships. Serving as an alternate captain, Beauchemin recorded one assist in seven games as Canada finished in seventh place in the tournament.


Personal life

Beauchemin and his wife Marie Claude have two children: a son and a daughter. Both were born in
Anaheim Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the tenth-most ...
,
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
. The family resides in their hometown Sorel, Quebec, during the off-season.


Career statistics


Regular season and playoffs


International


Awards and honours


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Beauchemin, Francois 1980 births Living people Acadie–Bathurst Titan players Anaheim Ducks players Canadian ice hockey defencemen Colorado Avalanche players Columbus Blue Jackets players Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) players Ice hockey people from Sorel-Tracy Laval Titan Collège Français players Mighty Ducks of Anaheim players Mississippi Sea Wolves players Moncton Wildcats players Montreal Canadiens draft picks Montreal Canadiens players Quebec Citadelles players Stanley Cup champions Syracuse Crunch players Toronto Maple Leafs players 21st-century Canadian sportsmen