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Owen Beck is itching to grab a rung of the pro hockey ladder and start climbing toward his dream of making the Montreal Canadiens roster after crowning his junior hockey career with a Memorial Cup title.

After assisting Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League in securing their first Memorial Cup championship, the 20-year-old forward participated in his third consecutive Canadiens development camp last week.

Beck expressed his determination to play professional hockey, stating that it didn’t matter where he ended up. He emphasized the importance of preparing himself for the upcoming camp and showcasing his skills to either the Canadiens or the Laval Rocket in the AHL. His focus is on improving his game during the summer and ensuring that he is physically ready to succeed at the pro level, be it in the NHL or the AHL.

On June 2, Beck, who was chosen by Montreal as the 33rd pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, earned the title of tournament MVP. This recognition came after he scored two goals in Saginaw’s 4-3 victory against London (OHL) during the Memorial Cup Final.

Beck expressed, “The conclusion was like something out of a storybook. Hearing the buzzer sound and witnessing everyone rushing in and celebrating together was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s truly unique and the perfect way to conclude my junior year.”

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Beck’s development camp came to an unfortunate end with a lower-body injury during the final scrimmage. However, he remains determined to establish himself as a professional this fall.

“He is approaching the game with that mindset,” stated Rob Ramage, Director of Player Development for the Canadiens. “Compared to his rookie camp, his performance in last year’s camp wasn’t as impressive. However, after receiving guidance from our player development consultant Paul Byron, Owen fully embraced the advice and his skills significantly improved. What impresses me the most is his adoption of professional habits and his unwavering determination. When he played for Saginaw, his primary goal was to win, and he achieved just that by winning the Memorial Cup.”

Last season, Beck showcased his impressive performance in the OHL, tallying a total of 81 points (34 goals and 47 assists) across 57 games split between Peterborough and Saginaw. In addition, during the OHL playoffs, he contributed 14 points (four goals and 10 assists) in 17 games played for Saginaw.

Working with Byron and incorporating his candid suggestions and tips, he acknowledged that it greatly assisted in cultivating a more polished and professional approach to his game.

Beck explained, “He won’t sugarcoat anything and will always be brutally honest with me. In this high-level hockey, I should anticipate receiving such feedback. Although he isn’t tearing me apart, he won’t hesitate to point out areas for improvement because ultimately it will benefit me in the long term.”

Regardless of my desire to hear it at the moment, it is evident that it is in my best interest and will inevitably benefit me in the future.