LAS VEGAS (ABC4 Sports) – Utah Hockey had more draft picks at the NHL Draft than any other team in the league, and they used some of them Friday night to get back into the first round.

Utah traded a second-round pick, a third-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick for the 24th overall pick, which the team used to select 18-year-old center Cole Beaudoin.

“It's unbelievable,” Beaudoin said. “To hear my name and to be surrounded by my family and friends is unbelievable. I'll never forget that.”

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Beaudoin posted a 28-34-62 record in 67 games with Barrie during the 2023-24 season, ranking second on the team in assists and third in goals and points. He led the team with 12 power-play goals, scored four game-winning goals and added three shorthanded goals. Barrie's alternate captain also posted a 2-3-5 record in six playoff games.

During the 2022-23 season with Barrie, the Kanata, Ontario native recorded 8-12-30 in 63 games and contributed two assists in 13 playoff games.

Beaudoin's father, Eric, played three seasons in the NHL for the Florida Panthers and also played for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL during the 2001-2002 season.

“I think he's just excited,” Beaudoin said of his father. “He's just proud of me. He's been telling me since I was a kid to work hard, and that's what I try to do. So he's definitely been there for me.”

Beaudoin, ranked 25th among North American figure skaters by NHL Central Scouting, won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Junior Championship, posting a 2-2-4 record in seven games. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, posting a 3-3-6 record in five games.