Lucas Beckman, a former goalkeeper for the Rousseau-Royal, has rapidly risen to become the starting goalie for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the QMJHL. With 13 wins in 18 games and impressive stats, he is now the top goalie prospect from Quebec for the upcoming NHL draft. Coach Jean-François Grégoire highlights Beckman’s focus and skill, noting the potential for him to break the trend of fewer Quebec goalies making it to the NHL. Beckman’s agility and reflexes position him as a promising candidate in a strong draft class.
Lucas Beckman: A Rising Star in Junior Hockey
Exactly one year ago, Lucas Beckman was the goalkeeper for the Rousseau-Royal of Montreal-Laval in the M18AAA Development League. Fast forward to today, and he has taken on the role of the starting goalie for one of the elite teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Beckman’s impressive performance has been a key factor in the Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s strong start to the 2024-2025 season. The Montreal native has secured 13 victories in his 18 games played, showcasing an impressive save percentage of .919 and a goals-against average of 2.33.
A Bright Prospect for the NHL Draft
This rapid ascent has positioned Beckman as the top goalie prospect from Quebec for the upcoming NHL draft. Jean-François Grégoire, the head coach and general manager of the Drakkar, praised Beckman’s focus and distraction-free demeanor during a recent phone interview. “It’s challenging to predict his future, but one thing is clear: he is a solid goalie,” he noted.
Having led the Côte-Nord team since the 2020-2021 season, Grégoire confidently entrusted the net to Beckman, despite his young age of 17. His prior experience of just nine games in the QMJHL last season didn’t deter Grégoire; instead, it was Beckman’s composure that earned him the starting position. “We believed in his abilities, and we didn’t want Lucas to be just a backup goalie,” he explained, further underscoring his decision to trade veteran Charles-Edward Gravel to the Saint John Sea Dogs before the season began.
Beckman’s remarkable statistics have made him a standout in the league, ranking first in wins and landing among the top ten for both save percentage and goals-against average. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, he is leading the charge for goalies from Quebec as the NHL draft approaches.
Could Beckman become the first goalie from Quebec drafted in the first two rounds since Zach Fucale and Philippe Desrosiers in 2013? Grégoire remains cautious, stating, “There are many factors at play. While Lucas is an excellent goalie for us, we must consider if he is tall enough for the NHL. He may not be a 6-foot-4 goalie, but he has the skills and tools necessary to succeed.”
Beckman is not the only name gaining attention as the NHL draft nears. The 2025 draft class is shaping up to be one of the strongest in years, featuring other promising talents like Samuel Meloche of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Gabriel D’Aigle from the Victoriaville Tigres, Louis-Antoine Denault of the Quebec Remparts, and Vincent Gladu of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.
Grégoire reflected on the depth of talent in the current goalie crop, stating, “We anticipated a strong group during the 2023 draft, and they have all lived up to expectations.” He emphasized the importance of having young goalies like Beckman on the team for as long as possible, especially given the challenges of developing goaltenders in today’s hockey landscape.
While Quebec was once a hotbed for goalie talent in the 1980s and 1990s, the trend has shifted, with fewer local players making their way to the NHL. Grégoire offered insight into this phenomenon, suggesting that young athletes are often pigeonholed into specific positions too soon. “We need to focus on developing well-rounded athletes rather than locking them into the goalie position at a young age,” he argued. He pointed out that many successful European goalies participate in multiple sports and try various positions before specializing, which helps them develop critical skills.
As the game continues to evolve, Lucas Beckman possesses the agility and reflexes necessary to excel at the next level. These attributes could very well position him among the elite goalies in the forthcoming NHL draft.