Former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu has announced his retirement from pro hockey at the age of 32. The stay-at-home defenceman played for the Jets during parts of four seasons, between 2018 and 2022.

Beaulieu was drafted in the 1st round, 17th overall in the 2011 NHL draft by the Montreal Canadiens. Before joining the NHL, Beaulieu had a very successful junior career with the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL, which included a Memorial Cup Championship in 2011. Beaulieu spent some time between the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL and the Montreal Canadiens until the end of the 2016-17 season, where he recorded a career high 28 points in 74 games.

The following season, Beaulieu made the move to the Buffalo Sabres via a trade that sent a 2017 3rd round pick to the Canadiens. After one and a half seasons in Buffalo, the Jets acquired Beaulieu on February 25th, 2019 from the Sabres in exchange for a 2019 6th round pick. Upon his arrival in Winnipeg, Jets fans started noticing his defensive defenceman style of play, showcasing a physical and gritty presence that included time on the penalty kill.

Beaulieu remained a valuable depth defenceman on the Jets, appearing in 38 games in the 2019-20 season. Beaulieu scored his one and only goal in a Jets uniform that season, and he averaged around 25 games played throughout his time in the Jets organization. On March 21st, 2022, the Jets dealt Beaulieu to the Penguins in exchange for a 2022 conditional 7th round pick, ending his time in Winnipeg.

Beaulieu never played for the Penguins, and the 2022-23 season he played his final year in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. In 2023-24, Beaulieu played 13 games for Kloten HC in the Swiss league, followed by 8 games in the 2024-25 season in the KHL with Nur-Sultan Barys. Earlier today, the former 1st round pick tied up his skates, finishing his NHL career with 471 games, 12 goals and 86 assists for 98 points. While he may not have lived up to his full 1st round potential, Beaulieu still had a successful NHL career as a lock down defenceman who understood his role while being a respected teammate wherever he was playing.