BREAKING: Owen Beck Recalled To NHL By Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens have announced OHL prospect Owen Beck has been recalled to the NHL on an emergency basis.

Due to the abundance of injuries on the team and the number of emergency recalls already in place, the Canadiens are allowed to take advantage of an agreement between the CHL and NHL and assign the 18-year-old to their roster.

Les Canadiens ont rappelé l'attaquant Owen Beck des Petes de Peterborough (rappel d'urgence). Beck rejoindra l'équipe à Ottawa.

The Canadiens have recalled forward Owen Beck from the Peterborough Petes (emergency recall). Beck will join the team in Ottawa.#GoHabsGo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 27, 2023

Beck was chosen 33rd overall at the 2022 Draft and is in the midst of a breakout season in the OHL. The cerebral forward was recently traded from the Mississauga Steelheads to the Peterborough Petes, in a blockbuster deal that saw several assets return to the Steelheads.

Even though the Canadiens own his NHL rights, the Petes had to approve the deal, a significant decision given how much they paid to acquire his OHL services.

Fortunately, the Petes have a very light schedule next week, which should permit Beck to return to the league in a reasonable timeframe, without missing too many games.

In 30 games with the Steeleadheads, Beck scored 17 goals and 24 assists. Following the trade to Peterborough, Beck took some time to acclimatize, scoring just three points in seven games. But it’s worth noting he maintained the same level of defensive awareness that has made him one of the Canadiens’ most exciting prospects.

With the move to the NHL, Beck is one of the few players to ever earn a gold medal at the World Junior Championship, return to the CHL, and then graduate to the NHL in the same season.

Beck is expected to play on Saturday in Ottawa against the Senators, which means the team will finally ice a roster with 12 forwards.

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Since Cole Caufield’s injury, the Canadiens’ lineup has consisted of 11 forwards and 7 defencemen, a situation that head coach Martin St-Louis has found difficult to navigate.

Beck is but one of many rookies to make their debut for the Canadiens this season, but in his case, it’s a little more special given where he started the season.

As it stands, few players have enjoyed as much success as Owen Beck during their Draft +1 season, and now that he’s set to make his NHL debut, it’s clear Canadiens management has earmarked him as one of their prospects who is the closest to being NHL ready.