Owen Beck Bio
Owen Beck (born February 3, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays centre for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 33rd overall by the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, he has emerged as a dependable two-way forward with a résumé that already includes a Memorial Cup title and a CHL Scholastic Player of the Year award.
Born and raised in Port Hope, Ontario, Beck developed through the Ontario minor hockey system before starring in the Ontario Hockey League with the Mississauga Steelheads and Peterborough Petes. He is widely regarded for his hockey IQ, defensive responsibility, and leadership qualities.
Early Life and Background
Owen Beck was born on February 3, 2004, in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a community with deep minor hockey roots, he began his youth career with the Northumberland Nighthawks of the Ontario Hockey Federation, where he won a league championship during his peewee season.
Following that early success, Beck moved to the Quinte Red Devils AAA program for two seasons beginning in 2018, continuing to refine his offensive and defensive skills against high-level competition. He also gained a brief stint with the Cobourg Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, which provided him with additional exposure to older players before he entered the major junior ranks.
While his family background is not widely documented, Beck has often credited the close-knit minor hockey environment of southern Ontario for shaping his work ethic. His strong commitment to academics complemented his on-ice development, setting the stage for a smooth transition to the Ontario Hockey League.
Path to Hockey
Beck initially committed to the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2020–21 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown prevented him from playing that year. He made his OHL debut the following season, appearing in 68 games and recording 21 goals and 30 assists to rank third on the team in scoring.
That rookie campaign drew national attention, as Beck was selected, alongside teammate Luca Del Bel Belluz, for the annual CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He closed the season by earning a place on the OHL’s Second All-Rookie Team, a sign of how quickly he had adjusted to the pace and physicality of major junior hockey.
Equally impressive was Beck’s performance in the classroom. Attending Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School, he received the Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s scholastic player of the year and was later named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year. Heading into the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him tenth among North American skaters, and the Montreal Canadiens selected him 33rd overall.
Owen Beck Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Beck’s first full OHL season with the Mississauga Steelheads was a defining year. Beyond his 51 points in 68 games, his play in all situations helped establish him as a two-way centre capable of matching up against opponents’ top lines while still contributing offensively.
The Mississauga Steelheads used Beck in a balanced role that showcased his vision, skating, and penalty-killing instincts. That platform, combined with his CHL Top Prospects Game appearance and academic honours, convinced the Montreal Canadiens to use a second-round pick on him at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract on October 4, 2022.
OHL and Memorial Cup Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Returning to the Steelheads to begin the 2022–23 season, Beck posted 17 goals and 41 points in just 30 games before being traded to his hometown Peterborough Petes on January 7, 2023. The Canadiens recalled him on an emergency basis later that month due to injuries, and Beck made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on January 28, 2023.
After rejoining the Petes, Beck’s offensive numbers dipped as he adjusted to a defensive, shutdown role. He finished with seven goals and 18 assists in 30 games, but delivered a strong OHL playoff performance with six goals and seven assists in the early rounds. Even after receiving suspensions during the OHL Championship Series against the London Knights, Beck returned to help the Petes capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup — their first championship since 2006 — and was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team.
With the Petes representing the OHL at the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, Beck recorded a primary assist on an overtime winner against the host Blazers before Peterborough was eliminated in the semi-finals by the Seattle Thunderbirds. Traded midseason in 2023–24 to the Saginaw Spirit, Beck thrived down the stretch, recording 18 goals and 33 assists in 32 regular-season games and earning his second OHL Third All-Star Team nod. On June 2, 2024, Saginaw defeated London 4–3 to win the franchise’s first Memorial Cup, with Beck earning the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as tournament MVP after scoring twice in the final.
Laval Rocket and Montreal Canadiens Era (2024–Present)
Beck began the 2024–25 season with the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens’ American Hockey League affiliate, where he posted nine goals and 25 points through 37 games. He was recalled by Montreal prior to their game against the New York Rangers on January 19, 2025, and later named to the AHL All-Star Classic for the first time.
Recalled again in late February 2025, Beck recorded his first career NHL point — an assist — on a second-period goal by linemate Alex Newhook against the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre on February 27. Splitting time between Montreal and Laval to begin 2025–26, he appeared to have scored his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 11 before a coach’s challenge for offside negated the tally. He responded with his first official NHL goal in the Canadiens’ next matchup with Pittsburgh on December 20.
Driving Style and Strengths
Beck is recognized as a responsible, defence-first centre whose hockey IQ and faceoff reliability allow him to match up against top lines. His skating, vision, and penalty-killing instincts have been central to his rapid rise through junior and professional ranks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Beck’s signature moments are his Memorial Cup MVP performance with the Saginaw Spirit, his first NHL point against the San Jose Sharks in February 2025, and his first NHL goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 20, 2025. His OHL and CHL academic awards underscore his reputation as a complete player.
Owen Beck International Play
Beck joined Canada’s National Junior Team for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, replacing injured forward Colton Dach during the knockout stage. Canada defeated Czechia in the gold medal game, with Beck recording one assist in three appearances.
The lone returning member of that 2023 squad invited back for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Beck was named an alternate captain. Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Czechia, but Beck’s leadership reinforced his standing within Hockey Canada’s program.
Owen Beck Career Highlights
Junior and Memorial Cup Highlights
Beck’s OHL résumé includes 51 points as a Steelheads rookie, a 2023 J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Peterborough Petes, and a 2024 Memorial Cup championship with the Saginaw Spirit, where he was named tournament MVP. His two selections to the OHL Third All-Star Team reflect consistent high-level play across two organizations.
Professional Highlights
In his first professional season, Beck registered 25 points in 37 AHL games with the Laval Rocket and was selected for the AHL All-Star Classic. He has since recorded his first NHL point and first NHL goal with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a milestone period for Owen Beck as he transitions into a full-time NHL role. After beginning 2025 in the AHL with Laval, he earned recalls to Montreal and posted his first NHL point against the San Jose Sharks in February, demonstrating the two-way reliability the Canadiens envisioned when they drafted him.
His play between the NHL and AHL ranks through late 2025 has shown steady progression in faceoffs, defensive zone coverage, and special teams contributions. The Canadiens have continued to deploy him in a checking-line centre role while gradually expanding his offensive ice time.
Heading into the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign, Beck’s outlook is promising. With his first NHL goal secured and his confidence growing alongside linemates like Alex Newhook, he appears poised to establish himself as a regular contributor in Montreal’s bottom-six forward group.