John Beecher was born on April 5, 2001, in Elmira, New York. As a 15-year-old, the big forward played at the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Connecticut, and scored 12 goals with 12 assists in 30 games during the 2016-17 season. During the following season, Beecher joined the United States National U17 team and flourished. In 60 games with the National Development Program Team, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward totaled 17 goals and 24 assists and also played 34 games against USHL teams where he totaled. Nine goals and 16 assists.
In year two of the program, Beecher had another stellar season with 43 points in 63 games, highlighted by a four-point World Junior U18 tournament. The big center’s performance with some of the top national talent around gave him an opportunity to accept a scholarship to play college hockey at The University of Michigan beginning with the 2019-20 season. During his freshman year, Beecher scored nine goals with seven assists and was named to the Big Ten All-Rookie Team.
John Beecher Drafted 30th Overall By The Boston Bruins in the 2019 NHL Draft
The Boston Bruins selected John Beecher in the first round with the 30th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The following scouting reports were published before the draft that year:
Between his size and his balance, he likes to play in front of the opposing goaltender, where he can be virtually impossible to dislodge”. (McKeen’s Hockey 2019)
He has a really good understanding of how to use his body to shield pucks and win battles on the boards”. (Hockeyprospects.com 2019)
Dynamic center who can skate, shoot, and pass, he is good at reading the ice and recognizing where his teammates are”. (Future Considerations 2019).
Beecher was the 11th center chosen in the draft, and all but one have already played in the NHL. Beecher would play two more years with Michigan, although only 16 games during the 2020-21 season due to a shoulder injury.
NHL Debut to Today
John Beecher signed a three-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract with the Bruins on May 16, 2022. At the end of his junior season at Michigan, Beecher signed his contract and joined the Providence Bruins for nine games at the end of the 2021-22 season and scored three goals and collected two assists. The following season, Beecher contributed nine goals and 14 assists in 61 games with Providence.
After a stellar training camp in September of 2023, Beecher made the Bruins roster, played his first NHL game on October 11 at TD Garden against the Chicago Blackhawks, and participated in his first NHL fight. Beecher registered his first point with an assist on October 19, 2023, at San Jose. On November 6, 2023, Beecher lit the lamp for his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars. Beecher finished is first NHL season with seven goals and three assists in 52 games.
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