Port Hope, Ontario native Owen Beck says he was surprised to hear his name called by the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL entry draft on Friday.
In front of his hometown fans, the Canadiens’ staff selected Beck in the second round, 33rd overall. Beck, a six-foot-one center, scored 51 points (21 goals) in 68 games with the Mississauga Steelheads in his rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League. In 10 playoff games, he scored another six points.
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Beck, 18, immediately after leaving the stage. said rds that the feeling of being recruited was “incredible”.
“It’s unbelievable, just being picked by the home team is more than I expected,” Beck said. “Just the love and support from the amazing fan base here is amazing. I don’t even know what to think right now.”
Beck says he spoke to Habs management twice during the season, most recently at the NHL Combine.
“Their meeting was a little bit more difficult than other (teams),” Beck said. “I told them that I was a little surprised that they chose me, that you were asking the difficult questions. But they said that I responded well to them and that they were happy to have me. So I’m happy to be here.”
The two-way center described himself as a “200-footer” with “explosive skating ability” and “good shooting and vision.”
“I feel like I have a good hockey IQ and I feel like I can provide both ends of the ice for a team and play anywhere — power play, penalty kick, up and down the lineup,” he said. “I think that’s really going to help a team. A big part of my game is that 200-foot style and I think being able to stop opponents and the team’s top lines is important for a team.”
Beck was named to the OHL All-Rookie Second Team and was named the OHL and Canadian Hockey League Scholastic Player of the Year.
“Being smart in school translates to being smart on the ice,” he said. “I mentioned that my hockey IQ is one of my strengths, that’s something I can use to my advantage.”
Beck is expected to return to the Steelheads for the 2022-23 season.
“I’m super excited to be a part of the organization,” he told fans in a canadians tweet. “You are a great fan base and I can’t wait to get started.”
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