He prefers to be called “Johnny,” but the way John Beecher is playing during Boston Bruins training camp, the former Michigan Wolverine can be called whatever he wants. Beecher is currently seizing an opportunity that is right there for the 6-foot-3, 220-pound center. The Elmira native was a first-round draft pick (30th overall) by the Bruins in 2019. The left-shot forward’s size and speed have never been in question, but can he translate those two attributes to be an offensive factor in the National Hockey League or will he be destined to be a fourth-line center? As with any young player, consistency will be the key. Can Beecher bring his speed and forechecking game with every shift? In the early preseason, Beecher has shown major improvement and is now a viable candidate to make the Bruins roster for opening night.
In the Bruins preseason opener, Beecher logged 15:42 of ice time over 21 shifts. The rookie center was noticeable on the ice and played a grinding, physical game with his great speed on display. Beecher also showed his versatility with just under four minutes of shorthanded time on the penalty kill and won seven out of eleven faceoffs. And then there was the highlight of the night which was Beecher’s goal as he broke in alone off a feed from Jakub Zboril. Last season, Beecher scored nine goals for Providence of the American Hockey League. If he can provide some offense as a fourth-line center, along with his efficiency on the penalty kill and at the faceoff dot, then he can certainly replace what former Bruin Tomas Nosek provided in Boston, except with a lot more explosiveness.
In Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to Buffalo, Beecher saw another 15 minutes of ice time and won four of his eight draws. Beecher also blocked two shots and had a takeaway, further showing his worth as the preseason continues. But, again, it will be the consistency that determines if Beecher will remain with Boston after the final roster cuts. The Bruins will need young, affordable players like Beecher to assume roles on the team with their difficult salary cap constraints. Therefore, the big, speedy forward will get every opportunity to make the club.
It will be Johnny Beecher’s spot to gain as the exhibition schedule continues. The Bruins have been much maligned for their drafting over the last few seasons, and Beecher is one of only two first-round picks the Bruins have had since 2018. At 30th overall, the Bruins need Beecher to be a regular core player for years to come. Forwards Shane Pinto, Arthur Kaliyev, and Nils Hoglander were all chosen after Beecher and have all played at least 99 NHL games. Those three players are all known names in the league now, and Beecher’s name is soon to be amongst them. Just call him Johnny.
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