Owen Beck capped his junior playing days with a Memorial Cup victory and tournament MVP honors. Now he’s ready to take the next step.
“I’m looking forward to the next training camp,” explained the young Canadiens prospect, Thursday at the Brossard training center. “No matter where I am, I’m going to play professional hockey. I want to prepare for it as best I can, in order to show what I can do, whether it’s to the Canadiens’ bosses or to those of the Laval Rocket.”
Because Owen Beck believes he is there, after three seasons of Ontario junior hockey, and especially after this conquest last spring in the Saginaw Spirit jersey.
At 20, he says he’s ready for what’s next. This second-round pick by the Canadiens in the 2022 draft (33e overall) is coming off an 81-point season in junior hockey, which has already given rise to some outpourings of enthusiasm towards him.
The good news is that the main person concerned himself believes that he still has a long way to go.
“I want to improve my game over the summer,” he added during the third day of the Canadiens’ development camp in Brossard. “I want to make sure I’m physically mature enough to be able to excel in the professional ranks, in the National League or in the American League.”
To help him achieve these goals, the Canadiens management gave him a big brother, in a way: former forward Paul Byron, who quickly took him under his wing.
“What a story Paul has,” development director Rob Ramage said Thursday. “We got him on waivers, and this guy has found a way. He’s had a solid career. He’s very honest with the kids, which is great, and he gets their respect when he leaves.”
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Paul Byron
Owen probably wasn’t as good at his camp last year as he was at his rookie camp. So we put Paul Byron on him, and Owen picked up on everything Paul was throwing at him, and that’s where his game really took off. It’s his determination. […] Last season he went to Saginaw and he went there to win.
Rob Ramage, Director of Player Development for the Montreal Canadiens
This is probably the guy that the Canadiens management hopes to see again soon, whether at Place Bell or at the Bell Centre. Beck had a first audition with the Canadiens, for a game in January 2023, and that’s why he continues to work with Paul Byron: because his bosses want to see him again at the Bell Centre one of these days.
“Paul watched my games on video, and he went through it with a fine-tooth comb,” added the young center. “He gave me suggestions that will translate to the professional ranks. We talked together a lot last season, and I think he helped me improve my game.”
Owen Beck also believes that his last season and his notable presence at the Memorial Cup tournament will have a beneficial effect on his career.
“I was able to experience big games and big tournaments last season. It gives you an idea of what it’s going to be like at the next stage, in the professional ranks. You can see that in those moments, the intensity goes up a notch. It’s moments like that that help you grow as a player.”