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Chilliwack Chiefs celebrate return of Olivier Beaulieu

Beaulieu returned after short stint with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL
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The Chilliwack Chiefs celebrate after an overtime goal against the Langley Rivermen, Sept. 8, 2024.

Veteran Chilliwack Chiefs defender Olivier Beaulieu has returned. 

The Chiefs announced Feb. 3 that Beaulieu has come back to the team after a short stint with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Minor Junior Hockey League.

Beaulieu joined the Chiefs during the 2022-23 season and has totalled 100 games in the BCHL with the team.

"With the recent developments surrounding major junior and the NCAA, Beaulieu made the difficult decision to return home to Quebec to play in the QMJHL," a Chiefs email said. "Despite his success in Shawinigan, Beaulieu expressed an interest in returning to Chilliwack to pursue a league championship and his best opportunity to obtain an NCAA scholarship. " 

“It was certainly a tough day when (Beaulieu) notified us that he had made the decision to leave our program in favour of the QMJHL," said Brian Maloney, Chiefs head coach and GM. “We understand the external pressures that players can be under sometimes and ultimately supported him through that thought process.

"When we found out that (Beaulieu) wanted to return to Chilliwack, we had some internal conversations with players and staff. We decided that ultimately we were not thrilled with a player making a decision to leave, but our number one priority has been and always will be giving players the best opportunity to pursue an NCAA scholarship. This is why we have decided to bring (Beaulieu) back into our program as we move toward a championship pursuit this season." 

Beaulieu said he's excited and grateful for come back. 

"The team here has an amazing culture and is looking to win a championship,”the 2005-born defender said. “The connection the staff has with the NCAA, and the talent level in the BCHL are things that really made this the best decision for my game at this point in time.”

Upcoming Games

Beaulieu will be in the lineup this weekend when the Chiefs play back-to-back games against the Surrey Eagles, beginning Friday (Feb. 7) in Surrey and back at the Coliseum on Saturday (Feb. 8) at 6 p.m. 

BSaturday’s game is the Chiefs' First Responders Night and is presented by Joint Force Tactical. The game will feature the Matthew Hutchinson Memorial Awards, and during the first intermission on Saturday, members of the RCMP and members of local fire departments will participate in a shoot-out.

The Chiefs remain in first place in the Coastal Conference after scooping up three of four points this past weekend. Jordan Geike sniped a hat trick and added an assist as Chilliwack hammered the Powell River Kings 11-1 Friday night at the Chilliwack Coliseum, then dropped a 5-4 overtime decision in Langley on Saturday. 

The Chiefs are four points ahead of Surrey, and five up on Victoria.  



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