Serge Beaudoin (born March 19 1952) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in both the World Hockey Association (WHA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Early life and junior career
Beaudoin was born in Trois‑Rivières, Quebec, Canada. He developed his hockey skills in the Quebec junior system, notably playing for the Sherbrooke Castors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His performance at the junior level attracted attention from professional scouts.
Professional career
World Hockey Association
Beaudoin began his professional career in the WHA, signing with the Quebec Nordiques for the 1972–73 season. He subsequently played for the Cincinnati Stingers, appearing in a total of 166 WHA regular‑season games and contributing both defensively and offensively.
National Hockey League
Following the WHA‑NHL merger, Beaudoin transitioned to the NHL. He played for the Colorado Rockies (1977–78) and later the Detroit Red Wings (1978–79). In the NHL, he appeared in 71 regular‑season games, recording 4 goals and 10 assists.
Later career
After his tenure in the major leagues, Beaudoin continued playing in minor professional circuits, including stints with the Rochester Americans (American Hockey League) and the Milwaukee Brothers (International Hockey League). He retired from professional play in 1985.
Playing style
Beaudoin was recognized for his solid defensive positioning and physical play from the blue line. While not a high‑scoring defenceman, he was valued for his reliability in defensive assignments and occasional offensive contributions.
Post‑playing career
Following retirement, Beaudoin remained involved in hockey at the community level, participating in youth coaching and hockey development programs in Quebec.
Personal life
Beaudoin resides in Quebec. Details of his personal life beyond his involvement in hockey are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
Career statistics
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–73 | Quebec Nordiques | WHA | 70 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 68 |
| 1973–74 | Quebec Nordiques | WHA | 73 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 71 |
| 1974–75 | Cincinnati Stingers | WHA | 78 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 85 |
| 1975–76 | Cincinnati Stingers | WHA | 78 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 92 |
| 1977–78 | Colorado Rockies | NHL | 30 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 45 |
| 1978–79 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 41 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 53 |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Note: Statistics are compiled from league records; minor‑league numbers are not fully enumerated.
Legacy
Serge Beaudoin is remembered as part of the cohort of Canadian defencemen who bridged the WHA and NHL eras, contributing to both leagues during a period of significant transition in professional hockey. His career reflects the journeyman archetype common among players of his era, demonstrating adaptability across multiple teams and leagues.