The Montreal Canadiens began the second day of the draft with 10 more choices and launched the resumption of activities at the Bell Center by selecting forward Owen Beck at the 33rd level on Friday.
He also selected small-format defenseman Lane Hutson, ranked 62nd.
Beck, of the Mississauga Steelheads, was glad he didn’t have to wait too long on day two of the draft to hear his name.
“I remember jokingly asking people at physical camp if they’d rather be last in round one or first in round two,” Beck said. Nobody had a good answer.
“It’s a great feeling,” he added after admitting he was a bit disappointed late Thursday evening to return to the hotel undrafted.
Beck, who is five-foot-11, had 21 goals and 30 assists in 68 games last season. He was recently named Most Outstanding Student Player in the Canadian Hockey League.
“Returning to hockey after an entire season canceled by the pandemic, I had to learn how to manage my schedule well,” said Beck. It’s demanding, but I think it allowed me to build a solid foundation for my future. »
For his part, Hutson is five-foot-eight and weighs 158 pounds, but he has shone in the American development program. The Chicago native had 63 points in 60 games last winter.
He has committed to play at Boston University next season.
On Thursday, the Canadian drafted Slovak forwards Juraj Slafkovsky in first place and Filip Mesar in 26th place.
It was the first time since 1980 that the Canadian held the first right to speak.