London's Own: Ryan Beaulieu was born to play for the London Knights

Ryan Beaulieu has turned playing for the London Knights into a family tradition. The Londoner is following in his father’s footsteps as he begins his career with the Knights.

Ryan was selected 14th overall by London in the 2026 OHL priority Selection in June. That puts Ryan’s draft position 17 picks higher than where Josh Beaulieu was chosen by the Knights in 2003.

Those could act as minor bragging rights in Ryan’s favour for now.

But Josh still holds the ultimate one-up.

He helped London to with the Memorial Cup on home ice in 2005 on what is now known as the Team of the Century.”

“It is pretty cool being able to say that I’m a Knight,” Ryan admits. “I’ve been coming to games since I was three or four years old.”

To say that Knights games are quite instrumental in Ryan’s development is a bit of an understatement.

Without Knights games and a very particular game at that things could have been very different for the Beaulieu family.

Without the Knights it is conceivable that there might not be a Baulieu family.

“This is where my parents met,” Ryan says with a smile.

Standing just outside of the bowl in Canada Life Place Ryan gestures toward section 105.

“My mom was working as an usher and that was her section,” Ryan begins. ‘My dad was suspended and he wound up sitting in that section and they got talking. I don’t know what suspension it was but you never know (what can happen).”

Ryan has learned the game from his father and from great coaches he has had along the way like a former Team of the Century teammate of his dad’s in Danny Syvret.

Josh’s professional career ended early due to a wrist injury that could not ever fully heal but that allowed him time with his family as they grew.

Ryan excelled to the point he was named captain of the U16 AAA London Jr. Knights prior to his draft year.

At just 16 he is tied for the team lead in plus-minus in the preseason.

And his future in hockey, that truly got its start inside Canada Life Place, is looking brighter and brighter every time Ryan steps on the ice.