Quinn Beauchesne\u2019s professional debut wasn\u2019t exactly a noteworthy affair.<\/p>\n
Signed to an amateur tryout contract by the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins on April 8, the defenseman dressed for his first career American Hockey League game April 15.<\/p>\n
Relegated to reserve duties as a seventh defenseman, Beauchesne was limited to a single shot as the Penguins were thumped at home by the rival Hershey Bears, 5-1.<\/p>\n
Not exactly a prominent performance.<\/p>\n
But no less profound for the 19-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was awesome,\u201d said Beauchesne, a fifth-round draft pick (No. 148 overall) of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025. \u201cIt was a surreal moment seeing my parents (Kristina and Mike) come down and be there for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
All interested onlookers will view Beauchesne in the maroon and gold of Boston College next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was always looking at one of those Boston schools,\u201d Beauchesne said. \u201cAnd (Boston College), their staff did an unbelievable job of welcoming me, giving me a great explanation of the facilities, the staff that they have, all that they offer. It\u2019s a great spot going with the (defensemen who have left). It\u2019s going to be a great opportunity. I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Were it not for the NCAA changing rules in 2024 that allowed players from major junior leagues in Canada to remain eligible to compete with United States schools, Beauchesne might have remained with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, especially after a strong 2025-26 campaign during which he saw an increase in ice time and, with that, a jump in offensive production.<\/p>\n
After posting 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 49 games during the 2024-25 campaign, the right-handed Beauchesne generated 35 points (seven goals, 28 assists) in 56 contests last season.<\/p>\n
Beauchesne with time and space = ????#IoftheStom<\/a> | #LetsGoPens<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/z7X7wAMzLx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) February 22, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cTry to implement things both (Pittsburgh and Guelph management) have been saying,\u201d Beauchesne said. \u201cI think that led to a jump in minutes. I think I was able to kind of meet some more expectations on my own behalf. It was fun playing those minutes. I like being trusted in all areas (on the ice) and being a guy teams rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n Beauchesne\u2019s season had a before-and-after rooted around New Year\u2019s Day, at least based on production.<\/p>\n In his first 27 games of the campaign, he had 12 points (five goals, seven assists). In contrast, the final 29 games \u2014 all after Jan. 1 \u2014 saw him put up 23 points (two goals, 23 assists).<\/p>\n \u201cIt was, I would say, challenging at the beginning (of the season),\u201d Penguins director of player development Tom Kostopoulos said. \u201cAnd he went through some things that he was working on. And he came out \u2014 it was February, I want to say \u2014 where he might have been one of the top defenders in the OHL. He had a heck of a month. He worked through the challenges at the beginning.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if another prospect in our organization grew as much as he did during the season last year. It was great to see. You could see him mature as a leader, as an individual and really take ownership of his career and development. Really happy with him. He\u2019s an underrated player. He\u2019s got snarl to his game. He\u2019ll stick up for his teammates. He\u2019s got a nasty edge. There\u2019s something there.\u201d<\/p>\n As evidenced by his 57 minutes of penalties last season, Beauchesne isn\u2019t hesitant to mix it up despite being a modest 6-foot and 184 pounds.<\/p>\n He even earned a two-game suspension when he slashed the London Knights\u2019 Ryan Brown near the head March 13.<\/p>\n Quinn Beauchesne with a baseball swing to the head of London\u2019s F Ryan Brown\u2026 how many games will this be? Should be lengthy. #OHL<\/a> #suspension<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ezq7JqCtnx<\/a><\/p>\n