Owen Beck (ice hockey)

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Owen Beck
Born (2004-02-03) February 3, 2004 (age 20)
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Montreal Canadiens
Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
NHL draft 33rd overall, 2022
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2023–present

Owen Beck (born February 3, 2004) is a Canadian junior ice hockey centre for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.[1][2]

Playing career[edit]

Beck joined Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2020–21 season but did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.[3] Making his debut in the 2021–22, he played 68 games and recorded 21 goals and 30 assists, third on his team in scoring.[4] At the end of the season, Beck was named to the league's Second All-Rookie Team.[5] He also earned laurels for his academic performance at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School, receiving the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL's scholastic player of the year and then being named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year.[4][6] As a result of his performance, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked Beck tenth among North American skaters in advance of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.[5][4] Considered a potential selection late in the first round, he was ultimately taken by the Montreal Canadiens first in the second round.[1]

On October 4, 2022, Beck signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens.[7][8][9] Returning to junior to continue his development in his third season with the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2022–23 season, Beck recorded 17 goals and 41 points in just 30 games before he was traded to hometown club, the Peterborough Petes, on January 7, 2023.[10][11][12] After seven games with the Petes, with the Canadiens suffering an excess of injuries, Beck was unexpectedly recalled from the OHL on an emergency basis on January 27, 2023.[13] He made his NHL debut in a game against the Ottawa Senators on January 28, before returning to the Petes.[14]

Beck's point production declined during his first half-season with the Petes, which was attributed to both the team's usage of him in a defense-oriented shutdown role and his own struggles with the new expectations generated by the trade.[15][16] He would later admit that "when things don't go your way right way with those expectations things can be tough on you mentally."[15] He finished the regular season with 7 goals and 18 assists in 30 games with the Petes, before attracting praise for his performance during the team's deep run during the OHL playoffs. Registering 6 goals and 7 assists during the first three rounds, Beck was also a key figure in the team's penalty killing, the second-best in the playoffs through that point.[16] The Petes reached the OHL Finals against the London Knights, in what was considered an underdog success against several higher-ranked teams. Beck received a major penalty and game misconduct in Game 2 of the Finals after elbowing Knights forward Denver Barkey in the head, but was not suspended from subsequent games.[17] He took a second major penalty in Game 5 for slew-footing defenceman Jackson Edward, and as a result was suspended for two games, the theoretical remainder of the series.[18] In his absence, the Petes defeated the Knights in Game 6 to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup, the first championship for Peterborough since 2006.[19] Beck was subsequently named to the OHL Third All-Star Team.[20]

As Robertson Cup champions, the Petes qualified to the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, facing the host Blazers, the Quebec Remparts, and the Seattle Thunderbirds. Initially, the second game of Beck's suspension was to apply to the team's round-robin game against the Thunderbirds. However, as the Memorial Cup fell under the jurisdiction of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, they reviewed the OHL's ruling and deemed that he would be able to play in the tournament, instead having to serve the second game if he returned to the OHL the following season.[21] Beck had a primary assist on the Petes' overtime-winning goal to eliminate the Blazers and reach the tournament semi-final.[22] The Petes were ultimately eliminated in the semi-final by the Thunderbirds.[23]

With the Peterborough Petes beginning a rebuild as they entered the 2023–24 season, Beck continued to play for the team until rejoining Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. Upon his return to the OHL, he was dealt to the Saginaw Spirit, who were to be the hosts of the 2024 Memorial Cup.[24] Making his Spirit debut on January 10, 2024, he had two goals and four assists in a rout of the Windsor Spitfires, tying the Saginaw team record for most points in a single game.[25]

International play[edit]

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Canada

Beck was invited to participate in the training camp for Team Canada for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, but was not selected for the initial roster.[26] However, after forward Colton Dach was injured in Canada's final group stage game, Beck was called up to join the team during the knockout stage.[27] Canada defeated Team Czechia in the gold medal game, with Beck managing one assist in three appearances. He called the experience "something that I'll never forget."[28][29]

In December of 2023, Beck was invited to the junior national selection camp in advance of the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.[30] He was the lone returning member of the 2023 team to make the roster, and was named an alternate captain.[31][32]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2019–20 Cobourg Cougars OJHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Mississauga Steelheads OHL 68 21 30 51 14 10 1 5 6 4
2022–23 Mississauga Steelheads OHL 30 17 24 41 20 — — — — —
2022–23 Peterborough Petes OHL 30 7 18 25 15 22 8 8 16 18
2022–23 Montreal Canadiens NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —

International[edit]

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2023 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 3 0 1 1 0
2024 Canada WJC 5th 5 1 0 1 2
Junior totals 8 1 1 2 2

Awards and achievements[edit]

Award Year Ref
CHL
CHL Scholastic Player of the Year 2022 [6]
OHL
Bobby Smith Trophy 2022 [4]
Second All-Rookie Team 2022 [5]
J. Ross Robertson Cup champion 2023 [19]
Third All-Star Team 2023 [20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Zator, Matthew (July 8, 2022). "Montreal Canadiens Draft Owen Beck 33rd Overall". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  2. ^ Cowan, Stu (July 20, 2022). "Cerebral Beck exemplifies Canadiens' plan to build with skilled, smart players". Montreal Gazette. p. N9. Retrieved December 10, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Baracchini, Peter (March 23, 2022). "Owen Beck – 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Kimelman, Adam (June 23, 2022). "Beck showing off versatility, dependability ahead of 2022 NHL Draft". NHL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Year in Review: Owen Beck". Mississauga Steelheads. June 10, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Colpitts, Ian (July 1, 2022). "Mississauga Steelheads centre named CHL's top scholar". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  7. ^ "Three-year, entry-level contract for Owen Beck". NHL.com. October 4, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  8. ^ Basu, Arpon (October 30, 2022). "Canadiens prospect Owen Beck is driven to get back to Montreal as soon as possible". The Athletic. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Canadiens sign F Beck to three-year ELC". The Sports Network. October 4, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "Petes acquire World Junior medalist Owen Beck". Peterborough Petes. January 7, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  11. ^ Davies, Mike (January 7, 2023). "Peterborough Petes pick up Beck from Mississauga, Hayes and White from Hamilton in trades". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  12. ^ Ferrari, Tony (January 10, 2023). "CHL Trade Deadline: What to Know about the Biggest Moves". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Beck to make NHL debut vs. Senators". The Sports Network. January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Cowan, Stu (January 30, 2023). "Owen Beck 'very comfortable' in NHL debut, Canadiens coach says". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Davies, Mike (March 16, 2023). "High expectations have been tough on Peterborough Petes centre Owen Beck". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Potvin, Blain (May 12, 2023). "Canadiens Prospect Beck a Cut Above Wright". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  17. ^ Davies, Mike (May 15, 2023). "No suspension for Peterborough Petes centre Owen Beck over check to the head". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  18. ^ Pyette, Ryan (May 19, 2023). "Unexpected goalie keeps London Knights alive with Game 5 win". The London Free Press. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Lale, Brent (May 22, 2023). "Petes eliminate Knights to win OHL title as London-born goaltender named playoff MVP". CTV News. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  20. ^ a b "OHL Announces 2022-23 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. June 2, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  21. ^ Davies, Mike (May 24, 2023). "Owen Beck will be able to play for Peterborough Petes in opening Memorial Cup game". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  22. ^ Schram, Carol (June 2, 2023). "Memorial Cup: Petes pull off crazy comeback to eliminate Blazers in OT". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Davies, Mike (June 2, 2023). "Exit Sandman: Amazing Peterborough Petes season ends with semifinal loss at Memorial Cup". The Toronto Star. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  24. ^ Davies, Mike (January 8, 2024). "Petes trade Owen Beck to Saginaw Spirit, captain Donovan McCoy to Sudbury Wolves as rebuild continues". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "Owen Beck shines in debut as Spirit trounce Spitfires 11-3". CTV News. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  26. ^ Ferrari, Tony (December 12, 2022). "Team Canada finalizes 2023 World Junior Championship roster". The Hockey News. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  27. ^ "Beck added to Team Canada; Dach done for World Juniors with injury". The Sports Network. January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Basu, Arpon (January 10, 2023). "Canadiens prospect Owen Beck looks back on WJC gold and forward to new opportunities". The Athletic. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  29. ^ Davies, Mike (January 11, 2023). "From the World Juniors to the Peterborough Memorial Centre". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "Canadiens prospect Owen Beck ready to share wisdom with Canada's junior team". Sportsnet. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  31. ^ Davies, Mike (December 14, 2023). "Peterborough Petes Owen Beck makes the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship cut". The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  32. ^ "Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten named captain of Canada's junior hockey squad". CityNews. December 24, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.

External links[edit]

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