HALIFAX – Owen Beck was home early Saturday evening, fresh from a game between the Mississauga Steelheads and the Hamilton Bulldogs in which he scored his 17th goal of the season.
After getting ready for dinner, Beck sat in front of the TV and tuned into TSN.
As he had done assiduously since the start of the World Juniors, the 18-year-old center watched his Steelheads teammate Ethan Del Mastro, and the rest of the Canadian team, which closed the group stage by facing Sweden .
At the time, seeing forward Colton Dach leave the ice in the third period, visibly in great pain, Beck did not immediately calculate what this might mean for him.
Then, as Dach’s diagnosis became clearer – a right shoulder injury that will cost him the rest of the tournament – Beck wondered if he was going to be considered for an emergency recall.
“I was still surprised when the phone rang and it was Hockey Canada on the line. For sure, I was so excited to come join the guys! he told members of the media in the early followingnoon following meeting with the coaching staff.
“There is a doubt that came to my mind, that it was possibly going to be me who would come as reinforcement. It’s never guaranteed, but I had a feeling, ”said the 33rd overall pick of the 2022 draft, by the Canadiens.
A few hastily packed suitcases, and a flight departing at 8:55 p.m. later, Beck set foot in Nova Scotia. Let’s just say he’s had more restful nights’ sleep.
“Through all the chaos of luggage, equipment that needed to get there on time, and my 6 a.m. alarm clock, it was quite an adventure,” he admitted with a smile.
A disappointment from which he had managed to recover
After a fine performance at the ECJ selection camp, from December 5 to 9, Beck was cut. He had provided inspired displays alongside Caedan Bankier and Ryan Greene in two games once morest U-Sports, a university team.
It is certainly one of the decisions made by the staff that had caused the most ink to flow.
“I experienced a disappointment when I was told that I was entrenched. But at the same time, it’s a tournament attended by the most talented players in the country. Statistically, (Canada) is often the better off team, and I made it to the end of the process.
“It also helped me to put things into perspective, to think regarding the fact that I’m only 18, and that the opportunity was going to come back for me. [l’an prochain]. But it’s even better, to be able to come and lend a hand this year. It will be great to gain experience,” he observed.
Coming back from the CJS camp in Moncton earlier this month, Beck was back to work quickly, amassing six points in the two games following his re-entry into the Mississauga roster.
“I think my game is going pretty well. I come here with a high level of confidence,” he pleaded.
Shortly before Beck appeared before reporters, head coach Dennis Williams extolled the versatility the newcomer might bring to the Maple Leaf.
“We think what Owen brings can fill the void left by the absence of Colton Dach. The latter was a reliable option, a player aware of his defensive responsibilities. And just like Dach, (Beck) can play center or wing. We found that his camp with us had been very good, ”analyzed the Canadian pilot.
Knowing that Canada’s other 12 forwards have benefited from four games to better recognize themselves on the ice, it is not surprising in the context to learn that Beck will enter the game once morest Slovakia as the 13th forward.
But the main interested party has expressed his intentions to catch up as soon as possible.
“The World Juniors always increases in intensity once you get to the medal round. I’m going to have to raise my level of play a few rungs to be in tune with the other guys,” concluded Beck.
