Anaheim Ducks: Francois Beauchemin After the NHL

At the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, Francois Beauchemin decided to hang up his skates. However, Bob Murray wasn’t going to let him escape the Anaheim Ducks organization that easily.

In 2005, 25-year-old Francois Beauchemin received the news that the Columbus Blue Jackets were trading him to the Anaheim Ducks. Although trades happen almost every day in the hockey business, what was most surprising about this trade was the fact that Beauchemin was being traded for NHL superstar, Sergei Fedorov.

The Anaheim Ducks (the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim at the time) were in the process of transitioning out of the Paul Kariya dynasty. Fedorov was believed to be the player who would be the next “big thing” in Anaheim, and while he delivered, after one full season with the Ducks, the two parties went their separate ways.

Earlier that season, in 2005, Beauchemin had finally cracked an NHL line up, for more than one game, after three very successful seasons in the AHL. The moment he stepped onto the ice at Honda Center, he skated into the heart of the fans.

From 2005 onward, he became a fan favorite. Even after being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs and signing with the Colorado Avalanche in free agency, he always found his way back to Anaheim, on three different occasions.

On August 21, 2017, it was announced that the Anaheim Ducks had resigned the beloved defenseman. Shortly thereafter, he announced that he would hang up his skates for good at the conclusion of the season.

Nine seasons, 531 games, 162 points, and one Stanley Cup later, it seemed only fitting that the Sorel, Quebec native retire wearing an Anaheim Ducks sweater. On April 14, 2018, Beauchemin played his final game on Honda Center ice. Four days later, after a crippling defeat that swept the Anaheim Ducks out of the playoffs, he played the final game of his NHL career.

Enjoying the Retired Lifestyle

At 38-years-old, Francois Beauchemin is finally enjoying the life of retirement. Shortly after his NHL career ended, Beauch, along with his wife Marie and their three children, moved back to his hometown of Sorel, Quebec, Canada. They are currently in the process of building a new home.

In an interview with Kyle Shohara in early December, he also revealed that when he is not helping out at his kid’s hockey practice he is doing TV for Réseau des sports (RDS).

Beauchemin also expressed an interest in spending his time doing something other than playing hockey for a while.

“All my buddies are asking if I want to play beer league. Maybe after Christmas, but even then, I just bought a snowmobile. The season starts just after the holidays. I’m busy right now, and I don’t really feel like playing beer league. There are a lot of things I want to do before that.” -Francois Beauchemin

While he’s focusing on recreational winter sports for a while, he’s still involved with the Anaheim Ducks organization. Did you really think Bob Murray was going to let him get away that easily?

Getting Involved with the Anaheim Ducks QMJHL Prospects

With his recent move back to Canada, this gives Beauch the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on some of the Anaheim Ducks QMJHL prospects. While he may not have considered scouting after his retirement, this gives him the perfect opportunity to still be involved with the sport and organization he loves.

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He’s been able to watch several of the Ducks young prospects play with their junior teams in the recent months, and it’s something he has surprisingly enjoyed doing. Murray has entrusted him to not only keep an eye on them but to act as a mentor and give them feedback on how they’re doing.

Antoine Morand, Maxime Comtois, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Hunter Drew are among a few of the prospects he’s had the opportunity to watch. Although Hunter Drew is the only defenseman of the group, Beauchemin still has the capability of offering wisdom to the rest of the prospects.

He knows how much dedication it takes to play in an NHL lineup night after night. Beauchemin is also no stranger to the criticism that sometimes comes with playing hockey and how to deal with it. He is also very aware of the patience it takes to crack an NHL line up.

I, for one, am very excited that he took on this new venture with the Anaheim Ducks organization. Francios Beauchemin, although past his prime for the NHL, has already proven that he is wonderful at helping young aspiring NHL players in their development.

Having a familiar face, that we all have come to trust, mentoring the young prospects in the QMJHL provides hope for the future of the Anaheim Ducks.

We’ve caught up with Kevin Bieksa and Francois Beauchemin over the past few weeks. Who do you want to catch up with next? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!