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Former London Knights player Josh Beaulieu eyes success as elite local youth coach

Josh Beaulieu is the coach of the London Junior Knights host team in the minor atom division at the Drew Doughty Invitational tournament in support of Ronald McDonald House

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Stop Drew Doughty.

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That was part of Josh Beaulieu’s mission whenever the Guelph Storm rolled in to face the Knights a dozen years ago at the rink now called Budweiser Gardens.

“When you’re in London, you know when you’re playing a local guy,” the 32-year-old Memorial Cup champ and retired pro said. “Those games are always fun. Those guys like Drew come to play because they have a lot to prove since it’s their hometown.”

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Now, there is a new wrinkle for Beaulieu. He is the coach of the London Junior Knights host team in the minor atom division at the Drew Doughty Invitational tournament in support of Ronald McDonald House, which starts Thursday at Western Fair.

His group of nine-year-olds couldn’t be more excited about it.

“It’s their first year of AAA hockey and there is all that intensity of the big tournaments that come with it,” Beaulieu said. “The good thing about this one is it has Drew’s name on it and we are able to draw teams from all over (North America). It’s popular and hard to get into. The kids know it’s a big deal and every practice, they have this event in the back of their minds.

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“It motivates them to work hard.”

Drew Doughty (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)
Drew Doughty (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

The Doughty tournament has always offered better-than-average perks to its participants. On the weekend, there will be a mini-Hockey Hall of Fame set up with the Norris Trophy (which Doughty won in 2016 as the NHL’s top defenceman), the Hart Trophy, the Conn Smythe (won by Huron County’s Ryan O’Reilly in June) and Vezina, and, on Saturday, eight display cases featuring today’s stars, including Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Carey Price, Connor McDavid and Patrick Kane.

The most notable wrinkle this year is the opportunity for all the teams involved to join an off-ice fundraising competition in support of Ronald McDonald House. The squad that raises the most money will win a set of Warrior hockey sticks.

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“Most tournaments, you go and play for your prize — that’s it,” Beaulieu said. “There’s more to this and it’s teaching kids what they’re playing for. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what these players are doing and we should feel lucky about that and give back to those kids who need the help.”

A wrist injury spelled the end of former Flyers prospect Beaulieu’s career a half-decade ago. He served one season as an assistant with the Evansville IceMen, then moved back here to pursue a full-time job in the roads department with the City of London.

His hockey-playing children are Knights fans and he’s enjoying coaching in the Jr. Knights system.

“I instill the fundamentals and embrace the fun,” Beaulieu said. “Good coaches learn while they’re players and adapt the key things they’ve been taught. There is a lot to reflect on from my own minor hockey days in Windsor and Chatham and learning from Mark and Dale Hunter.

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“All my coaches did a great job.”

And when once he tried to help shut down Doughty, now his own atom-aged players marvel at the L.A. Kings defenceman.

“It’s nice the Jr. Knights retired Drew’s number,” Beaulieu said, “and the kids idolize him. He’s a great role model for them. He plays defence but provides offence, so he’s good for all aspects of the game.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/RyanatLFPress

4th ANNUAL DOUGHTY INVITATIONAL

— Has raised 200,000 in first three years

— Phil Pritchard of the Hockey Hall of Fame will be at Western fair Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with trophy display, no admission.

— Drew Doughty’s two Stanley Cup rings and two Olympic gold medals will be on display

— Live auction available at the rink or by website at www.drewdoughtyljkaaa.ca

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