ALEX BEAUDRY
Providence
So. | G | Cumberland, Ontario

Beaudry won his first three starts after joining Providence last January.

Key Statistics: Beaudry joined the Friars at midseason and made his first start the day after his first practice. Less than a week later he had three wins under his belt, matching Providence’s total from the first half of the campaign. He (and the team) slowed from there; he finished 4-10-4 with a 3.50 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage.

What He Does: Beaudry challenges shooters and boasts athleticism and mobility. Perhaps best of all – given the whirlwind of a situation he faced last January – he has what head coach Tim Army calls a “great demeanor” and ability to fit in to any situation.

The Bigger Picture: Goaltending has been the Friars’ biggest issue in Army’s tenure, and it came to a head in early December of last year. Faced with inexperience and an injury to Ryan Simpson, Providence plucked Beaudry (pronounced BOO-dree) from the CJHL. Now that he enters a season with his feet firmly under him and familiarity with the school, the team and Hockey East, Beaudry may give Army the stability between the pipes that has been lacking throughout his tenure. Other options exist, including incoming ex-Junior Bruin Russ Stein, but Beaudry is the favorite to retain the No. 1 role and return the Friars to the Hockey East playoffs.

Providence head coach Tim Army on Beaudry: “He played four games in eight nights when he first joined us and gave us a real shot in the arm at the time. But he became a little overwhelmed at that point. I think he still played well, he was just a little inconsistent … He showed some really good things in his game. The biggest thing will be that he knows the environment now.”