HFX Wanderers FC have completed their goalkeeping tandem for 2020, signing former Montreal Impact shot-stopper Jason Beaulieu to a contract.
Beaulieu, a 25-year-old native of Montreal, joins the Wanderers after having his option declined by the Impact in 2019.
“I know a lot of guys on the Wanderers team and I was excited to come and play with Louis (Béland-Goyette) and Peter (Schaale) and (Alessandro) Riggi, and guys from last year told me amazing things about Halifax,” Beaulieu said.
Playing alongside Canadian men’s national team member Samuel Piette at youth club level, Beaulieu was signed by the Impact as a 16-year-old.
He later moved to the University of New Mexico, where he spent four seasons as a starter in the NCAA, appearing in 69 games, and posting a record of 34-22-11 with 22 clean sheets.
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Returning to the Impact in 2018, Beaulieu failed to make an appearance for the senior team. He was set to join the Ottawa Fury on loan to start the 2019 season before requiring knee surgery last January.
At six-foot-four, Beaulieu promises to be a strong presence in the box for Stephen Hart’s Wanderers side.
“He ticked all the boxes, we got good scouting reports about his attitude and professionalism, as well as his goalkeeping qualities,” Hart said. “You want two quality players for each position and I thought he was the right fit.”
Beaulieu will play under Wanderers goalkeeper coach and Year 1 starting ‘keeper Jan Michael Williams
“Last year was difficult because Jan got injured and just as he was getting healthy, he was injured again and Christian Oxer played a lot when he wasn’t 100%, so hopefully we don’t have those problems again,” Hart said.
Beaulieu is the 16th confirmed member of the club for the 2020 season, joining Jamaican striker Alex Marshall, fullbacks Mateo Restrepo and Daniel Kinumbe, and former Impact midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette as their latest newcomers.
? PLAYER SIGNING ?
✍️ Please welcome Canadian goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu to the Wanderers.
?️ “There are a lot of people at the games and there’s a lot of interest in Halifax so I’m really excited.”
?️ Club announcement: https://t.co/mLxRlMCVxv#COYW #TogetherFromAways pic.twitter.com/ObOtRM8nng
— HFX Wanderers FC (@HFXWanderersFC) February 6, 2020