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Owen Beck Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #32

Owen Beck Scouting Report

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2022 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Owen Beck Scouting Report. 

Drafted in the Second Round, 29th Overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Mississauga Steelheads, Beck was hurt by the fact that the OHL cancelled the entire 2020-21 season due to COVID-19. Despite that setback, Beck was able to put together a solid rookie season in Mississauga this year. He put up 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 68 regular-season games. Beck also had the chance to play in the OHL playoffs. He put up one goal and five assists for six points in 10 playoff games. Beck and the Steelheads were able to defeat the Barrie Colts in six games in the first round. They ran into a powerhouse Hamilton Bulldogs team in the second round and lost in four games.

Beck, who is from Port Hope, Ontario, played his minor hockey in Quinte for the Red Devils. In 2019-20 he scored 19 goals and 20 assists for 39 points in 30 games in the ETAHL. He also added four goals and eight points in seven playoff games. Beck led Quinte to the OMHA Championships. He had a huge tournament with four goals and six assists for 10 points in five games.

Owen Beck Scouting Report

Centre — shoots Right
Born February 3rd, 2004 — Port Hope, Ontario
Height 6’0″ — Weight 190 lbs [183 cm / 86 kg]

Skating

Beck is an outstanding skater. His stride is textbook. He has an outstanding first step and his acceleration is excellent. Beck might be the fastest player in the draft. His ability to change speeds can be used as a weapon, fooling defenders. Once he gets a step on his man, Beck can quickly speed up and blow by a defender. If they back off, he can pull up and use the defender as a screen, or take advantage of the passing lane that is created. He also has excellent edgework and agility. Beck’s quick cuts and changes of direction allow him to effectively weave through traffic both with and without the puck. His powerful stride also gives him good balance and the ability to fight through checks and drive the net. Beck has good lower body strength and wins battles on the boards and in front of the net.

Offensive Game

Beck is able to marry his skating ability with very good puckhandling skills. Like most players, Beck is a little slower with the puck than without it, however, the drop-off is not that big. With his great speed, he poses a real problem for defenders when he has room to skate. He uses the space he creates to make plays in transition. Beck creates scoring chances off the rush, both by driving the net to create for himself or with a heads-up play to set up a teammate. He also does a good job of protecting the puck down low and keeping the cycle going. However, once he is in the zone, he prefers a short pass to keep possession rather than trying to make a creative play to set up a teammate.

Beck also has a good array of shots. He gets himself into the slot and can let go of a hard and accurate wrist shot. He also has a quick and deceptive release. Beck also has a good snapshot and backhander. He doesn’t really use his slap shot all that often, but when he does, he generates good power. Beck uses his speed to get in quickly on the forecheck and pressure opposing defenders. He gets in on them extremely quickly, forcing them to move the puck quicker than they would like and creating turnovers. Beck wins battles on the boards and retrieves loose pucks. He keeps his feet moving and is a high-energy player.

Defensive Game

Beck brings his high-end work ethic in all three zones. He uses his speed to get back to his own zone and provide back pressure against an opponent’s rush. He is also willing to work and support the defence down low. Beck is not afraid to play a physical game. While he is not a big hitter, he battles in the dirty areas of the ice, fighting for loose pucks and keeping the front of the net clear. His quickness is also an asset in the defensive zone.

A quick stick helps him to cut down passing lanes and create turnovers. When he is able to get to a loose puck, he can skate it out of the zone or make a quick first pass to start the transition game. His ability to read the play and anticipate what opponents will do is very valuable on the penalty kill as well. Beck is also very good in the face-off circle.

Projection and Comparison

Beck’s size, skating, two-way game, and high compete-level make him a good bet to make the NHL. He is a relatively safe pick. The questions are around how good he will be offensively. While Beck is unlikely to ever be a true number one centre in the NHL, he can be a second-line centre and play in all situations if he reaches his ceiling. Expect him to spend another couple of years in the OHL before pushing for a spot in the AHL and NHL though. Beck will become a coach’s favourite wherever he goes due to his responsible and mature game. His game is reminiscent of Dylan Larkin. This is a stylistic comparison only though, not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Owen Beck that are available on youtube and Twitter.

 

Check back tomorrow for our latest 2022 NHL Draft Article.

 

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