SUNRISE, FLORIDA – The New York Islanders selected Anthony Beauvillier with their second pick of the first round, 28th overall, of the 2015 National Hockey League Draft at BB&T Center. In their second trade into the first round, the Islanders acquired the 28th selection from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the 33rd and 72nd overall selections. The Islanders had previously acquired the 33rd pick from the Edmonton Oilers in their first trade of the day, while the 72nd pick originally belonged to the Florida Panthers.
Beauvillier, 18, recorded 94 points (42 goals, 54 assists) in 67 games last season with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 5’10, 173-pound forward, added seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven QMJHL playoff games. Beauvillier also captained Team Cherry at the 2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
On the Internation stage, Beauvillier won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2015 World Under-18 Championships. Beauvillier also served as an alternate captain for Team Quebec at the 2014 World Under-17 Championships, recording four points (two goals, two assists) in six games.
A native of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Beauvillier scored 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) in 64 games as a rookie with Shawinigan in 2013-14. Prior to his QMJHL career, Beauvillier played for Collège Antoine-Girouard Gaulois of the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League (QMAAA), leading the league in scoring with 64 points (39 goals, 25 assists) in 41 games. Also the league’s leading goal scorer, Beauvillier was named the 2012-13 QMAAA Player of the Year.
