By Warren Kozireski–
John Beecher became the third New York State product to be selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver when he was taken 30th overall by the Boston Bruins.
That ties the record for the most New Yorkers (with Trevor Zegras and Thomas Harley) in the first round of the draft with 2007, when Patrick Kane, Kevin Shattenkirk and Nick Petrecki were selected.
Beecher, a 6’2”, 210 lb. center with the U.S. National Team Development Program and headed to the University of Michigan this fall, is coming off a solid 12-goal, 39-point campaign along with 80 penalty minutes in 56 games.
He is a speedster and was considered one of the fast-risers this past season in terms of his draft rankings.
“The big thing that I’ve been working on is down-low play, being able to spin off the guy and attack the net; I think it will take my game to the next level and help my production,” Beecher said to the assembled media.
“My parents were big (Buffalo) Sabres fans growing up, so I kind of got into that, but the Boston Bruins have had a lot of success for a reason. They’re world class and they do things the right way and it’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of it.
“He’s still kind of raw in some smaller details of the game (like) generating offense for one because he hasn’t been put in a lot of those situations,” Boston and NHL General Manager of the Year Don Sweeney said.
“His skating ability (is an asset); he can get to the net; he can get inside. We’re an effective hybrid type team in that regard and we’re looking at our center ice position from a future standpoint.
And Beecher sounded like a General Manager when he finished his press conference.
“The thing I kept telling myself was where you get picked isn’t going to define you; it’s just opening the door and gives you an opportunity. Obviously it’s awesome to go on the first day and be able to go up on stage and one of those things I’ve strived for and couldn’t be happier that it worked out, but it’s just an opportunity and whether you get it today tomorrow in the second or seventh round, you have to make the most of it.”
