Colorado Avalanche 6th round pick in the 2011 draft (#153 overall), 2nd year defenseman Gabriel Beaupre(47) is mostly a rugged, stay-at-home player but has modestly elevated his point production in his sophomore campaign.
He has AHL career high games played (53), goals (3) and points (7), while being tied at his 4 assist mark from his rookie season with the farm team, Lake Erie Monsters.
The 6’2″ 200 lbs. blue liner started his fifth year of juniors with Val-d’Or Foreurs returning as an assistant captain for a third season.
He left to attend pro training camps and was eventually passed along to Central Hockey League affiliate Denver Cutthroats to start his pro career.
Upon being recalled a couple of months later, he never looked back and with continued good, gritty play is eyeing an opportunity with the big club.
The still only 21-year old is only in the first year of his three-year entry level deal as he wasn’t actually signed by the parent club until near the end of 2012/2013.
He still has time to develop before he makes his NHL debut but that could happen sooner than later too.