PHPA Player Rep Spotlight: Charles-David Beaudoin (Manitoba Moose)

Charles-David Beaudoin is the PHPA Player Representative for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL). The second-year defenseman played five seasons of junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Rimouski Oceanic before joining the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières in 2016-17. The Drummondville, QC native spent two seasons playing at the U-Sports level with UQTR before joining the Moose full-time in 2017-18. Charles-David recently sat down with the PHPA and took some time to answer these questions…                       

How did you become a PHPA Player Representative and what are some of your roles and responsibilities?

Last year our rep Darren Kramer was retiring, and he offered me his spot to represent the Moose at the PHPA Annual Meeting. I felt I wanted to be part of it and learn more about the PHPA. Understanding what the PHPA does is something every player should be aware of, and when he offered me the job, I couldn’t say no.

How did you enjoy attending the 2018 PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives?  What was your favorite part(s)?

Seriously the trip to Orlando is a blast. You learn so much in the morning with all the meetings and the conferences. Then, in the afternoon you have time to enjoy the weather and Disney. Also, it’s great to be surrounded by players that you play against but don’t have time to meet during the season. Overall, it’s a good time!

Playing for Drummondville of the QMJHL in 2013-14, you were named the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year. What type of initiatives were you involved in and why do you feel it’s important to give back?

I’ve started a few projects to help kids. I had a hockey summer tournament where we raised over $12,000 for a foundation helping kids with sickness. Another project of mine was to bring kids with sickness or any personal problems to one of our games with their family members. We had a free dinner for them and lots of gifts as well. It was so fun to meet them after the game. Especially after a loss, when I realized that win or lose, it’s nothing like what they experience on a daily basis.

What did you study while you attended the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières?

I studied finance. I’ve always enjoyed math in high school and I wanted to learn more about the financial world. At the PHPA Annual Meeting, I was listening attentively when we went over the financial part of our association. It was really interesting to me.

If you weren’t playing professional hockey right now, what career path would you have chosen?

I’ve always dreamed about starting my own company. Lately, I started my hockey camp specializing with defensemen. It’s not much, but entrepreneurship is something that I am passionate about. One day, after my hockey career I believe I will start my own company.

What’s your favourite hockey memory to date? Why is that your favourite?

Playing 4 ½, years in my hometown of Drummondville and serving as captain for 2 of those years was so much fun. But winning the President Cup in Rimouski during my overage year was very memorable. When you enter the league at 16 years old, that’s your dream and being able to accomplish it in my last year was so much fun.

Besides playing hockey, do you have any hidden talents?

I was actually better at soccer than hockey. At 15 years old I needed to choose between soccer and hockey and I was more passionate about hockey so I had to follow this passion.

Do you have any hockey superstitions? If so, what are they?

I don’t like to call it a superstition, but I usually put my equipment on the right side before my left side. So, my right skate first etc.

Who has been the funniest teammate you have played with throughout your professional career and why?

I gotta go with Felix Girard. He’s a goofball around the team and likes to use his French accent to make the boys laugh. He’s a nice guy overall so its fun to be around him.

Any favourite movies or TV shows you have watched recently?

Easy pick here with The Peaky Blinders. I watched it last year in less than 2 weeks and recently re-watched it again. Shoutout to my teammates last year who forced me to watch more than one episode before giving up on it.  

What do you enjoy doing most in your spare time?

During the season we are so busy that just enjoying a good coffee with friends or spending time with my dogs are my go to.

Bonus: Tell us a question we should have asked you (and provide a response).

Anything you would like to tell the kids out there who dream of playing professional hockey?

First you gotta have fun playing hockey. If you’re not passionate enough, you will never succeed, or you will get bored real quick. Then you gotta work harder than the competition because there’s so many good players around the world that at the end of the day, your work ethic will make the difference. I’ve never been the best player on my team but somehow, I found a way to make it to the AHL. Enjoy the process and keep dreaming… you never know!