2022 QMJHL Draft | Under the Microscope: Émile Beaunoyer

After appearing in just 13 games over the past two seasons at the U16 AAA level, goaltender Émile Beaunoyer has already played 20 games this year for the Collège Notre-Dame Albatros in his rookie U18 AAA campaign.

Considered one of Quebec’s top 2006-born goaltending prospects ahead of this summer’s QMJHL Entry Draft, the 15-year-old has already impressed in Quebec’s U18 AAA League.

Beaunoyer takes his craft quite seriously and is motivated and determined to improve both on and off the ice. Even though he’s been blessed with a lot of natural talent, his intangibles are what really set him apart from the other netminders in his age group.

“On the ice, Émile is a very competitive goaltender,” said Albatros Head Coach, Mike Maclure. “He’s an extremely intelligent player. He reads the play well and sees what’s happening in front of him.”

Speaking of his competitiveness, Beaunoyer, who also excels in baseball, rises to the occasion when he’s facing the best teams or going up against the toughest opponents.

Beaunoyer joined the Albatros after being cut by the Magog Cantonniers, with whom he lost his spot to another highly touted goaltender in Louka Cloutier. When Maclure heard the news, he immediately jumped at the chance to claim him.

Since then, the Albatros’ bench boss and his staff have been working with Beaunoyer on managing his movements around the crease. One of his qualities is he likes to challenge shooters, so he’s working to better control his lateral movement and choosing the right moment to be aggressive. The teenager is also spending a lot of time working on his puck-handling skills around the net.

Maclure believes that Beaunoyer’s mindset and drive will allow him to continue succeeding at the higher levels of the game.

“He will always keep progressing because he’s passionate about hockey, because he’s attentive and because he loves a challenge,” explained the head coach.

Beaunoyer’s draft stock is rising fast, and people are starting to take notice. If he continues to improve, the sky appears to be the limit for a goaltender who already has such a complete package.

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Émile Beaunoyer
Height: 5’9″ | Weight: 161 lbs
Birthdate: October 11, 2006
Birthplace: Drummondville, Quebec
Catches: Left