LONDONDERRY — The East Coast Selects hockey team has picked Brent Beaudoin, 12, of Londonderry, to join its four-year training program in Reykjavik, Iceland beginning April 17.

Later, the elite team will travel to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in the 1891 U13 World Cup Tournament.

Beaudoin was among 225 athletes invited to try out for the three North American teams, each with 17 slots. At the Burlington, Vt. tryout, players saw fierce competition in their division of 1996 born skaters, ranging from Quebec to Connecticut.

Head Scout Joe Templin, who had been scouting Beaudoin throughout the winter season, said this of the talented forward, "He's got a natural ability with the puck, and he's a back-of-the-net contributor."

Beaudoin has been playing hockey since the age of 5, according to his father, Stephen Beaudoin.

"He started out in the Monarchs Learn To Play Hockey program, then moved on to their House League program, and then to the N.H. Junior Monarchs Travel hockey program," said Stephen.

According to Beaudoin, during the warmer months, his son plays for the Summer Blades, a AAA team comprised of hand-picked players from across New England.

Beaudoin says his best hockey experience was when his team played in the Nike/Bauer tournament in Chicago against some of the best teams in the U.S. According to Beaudoin the tournament was fun and inspired him to work harder.

Londonderry Middle School has been very accommodating, said the senior Beaudoin.

"They understand that these trips offer life experiences you can't get from the classroom, and they realize he has a unique talent that needs to be groomed properly," he said.

Beaudoin will be completing makeup work while he's away. He is reportedly excited about the trip, as it is the first time he has left North America, and looks forward to meeting his new European teammates. Although, a great number of them speak only French.

In the last two years, Selects Hockey has seen 21 of its alumni drafted into the NHL. It is a lofty goal, but not unattainable, according to Mr. Beaudoin, as long as his son keeps his feet, and skates, on the ground.

"Brent understands that one percent of all kids in his age group will ever make it to the NHL," said Beaudoin,

"And only two percent make it to Div. 1 college hockey. If he makes it to the NHL, we would all be proud to have supported him along the way, but in the end it's all up to Brent how far he gets."