Francois Beauchemin
Stanley Cup champion and Ducks franchise leader among defencemen in playoff goals.
Francois Beauchemin is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL. Drafted 75th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1998, he spent most of his career with the Anaheim Ducks, winning the Stanley Cup in 2007.
- Character
- Stay-at-home defenseman / Leader
- Affiliation
- Anaheim Ducks (2005–2014)
- Status
- Retired Legend
- Key Achievement
- Stanley Cup Champion (2007)
- Notable Record
- Most games played by a defensemen in franchise history (at time of retirement)
- Style
- Physical, defensive specialist
Lore & Background
Beauchemin played four seasons of major junior hockey in the QMJHL. He was drafted 76th overall by Montreal in 1998 (the source gives both 75th and 76th overall; the draft number is unclear). He turned professional in 2000–01 with the Canadiens' AHL affiliate. After being claimed off waivers by Columbus in 2004, he was traded to Anaheim in November 2005. He helped the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007. He later signed with Toronto as a free agent in 2009, was traded back to Anaheim in 2011, and left the Ducks as a free agent in 2015 to sign with Colorado. He was bought out by Colorado in 2017 and returned to Anaheim for a third stint in August 2017.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed with the electric tension of Game 7 in 2007. Francois Beauchemin stood at his spot on the blue line, skates digging deep into the frozen surface as he watched the opposing winger approach. There was no hesitation; just a calculated, thunderous check that sent the puck flying clear and silenced the crowd's hope for an instant. As the Ducks surged forward to seal their destiny, Beauchemin wiped his blade on the ice, a silent guardian who had done exactly what was asked of him.
Reader's Guide
Beauchemin was a top-four defenceman for the Ducks, leading the NHL in short-handed ice time in 2011–12 and setting a franchise record with nine blocked shots in a game. He finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting in 2013 and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team. He left the Ducks second among all defencemen in franchise history in goals, assists, and points, and tied with Ryan Getzlaf for most playoff games for the Ducks (97).
Did You Know?
- Beauchemin scored his first NHL goal on December 6, 2005, against the Carolina Hurricanes.
- He led all rookie defencemen in scoring during the 2006 playoffs with 9 points in 16 games.
- In 2013, he surpassed Scott Niedermayer as the Ducks' franchise leader in playoff goals for a defenceman.
- He was named an alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009–10 and for the Colorado Avalanche in 2016–17.
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