We're only one month into 2023 but it's already been a whirlwind year for Owen Beck.
Right off the bat on New Year's Day, Beck was named an injury replacement for Colton Dach on Canada's world junior championship roster en route to capturing the gold medal in Halifax.
Now, the 18-year-old centre from Port Hope, Ont., will make his NHL debut after the Montreal Canadiens recalled Beck from the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League on an emergency basis Friday.
"Just this month with the two call-ups, 2023 is off to a pretty good start for me," Beck told reporters Saturday with the Canadiens set to face the Ottawa Senators. "It’s pretty crazy everything that’s happened in the past 365 days. I still feel I haven’t had enough time to step back and process it all. It’s pretty special and it’s something I’ll never forget for sure."
Beck was drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Canadiens just last year after recording 21 goals and 51 points with the Mississauga Steelheads. He has 44 points (19 goals and 25 assists) in 37 games this season split between the Steelheads and Petes.
Friday was supposed to be just another routine practice day at the rink in Peterborough for Beck but it turned out to be anything but routine as he was told to pack his bags.
"Did some video, got called into the head coach and GM’s office and they told me I was going to possibly be playing in my first NHL game the very next day," said Beck, who turns 19 on Feb. 3. "That was really special."
Things have gone from bad to worse for Montreal of late. The Canadiens are last in the Atlantic Division with a 20-25-4 record and have been hit hard with injuries including to top goal scorer Cole Caufield, who was shut down this past week and is scheduled to have season-ending shoulder surgery.
The silver lining is it opens up an opportunity for Beck, who signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Canadiens in October.
"Pretty crazy," Beck said. "I definitely wasn’t thinking that this was going to happen. I believe it hasn’t happened with the Canadiens in like 21 years or something like that. For it to happen to me is super special."
Watch the Canadiens and Senators face off on Hockey Night in Canada starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or SN NOW.
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