Canadiens: Owen Beck Scores Six Points In Saginaw Spirit Debut

Well, it didn’t take long for Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck to get comfortable with his new team. In his first game with the Saginaw Spirit after being traded, Beck registered two goals and four assists for six points in an 11-3 Saginaw win. Coming into last night’s contest, Beck had 30 points in 25 games, but saw his point totals shoot up by 20% thanks to an unforgettable night.

Beck played on the team’s top line alongside talented 2025 draft-eligible prospect Michael Misa and overeager Josh Bloom. The line combined for 12 points in what was a dominating performance. If this is a sign of more things to come from this line, Saginaw might be a threat to win the OHL Championship this year.

Beck has always been known more for his 200-foot game and excellent ability to win face-offs more so than his outright offensive ability. This doesn’t mean he was incapable of these kinds of performances, but they certainly are not expected of him. So, to see him explode in his first game with a new team, no less, is particularly exciting. It’s also great to see him get the opportunity to play on the top line with really talented players.

After Beck was traded, I mentioned how a couple of other Habs prospects seemed to find another gear after being traded in the CHL. Both Nick Suzuki and Kaiden Guhle were dealt in their final year of junior hockey, and each found great success with their new teams. Suzuki joined the Guelph Storm, where he had 49 points in 29 games, with another 42 in 24 playoff games. He went on to lead the Storm to an OHL Championship, winning playoff MVP honours along the way.

Guhle joined the Edmonton Oil Kings and had 25 points in 25 games and an additional 16 points in 19 playoff games as a defenseman. The Oil Kings won the WHL championship, and Guhle took home playoff MVP honours. I think for both players, these moves and subsequent success were vital to their development as hockey players.

I joked that perhaps Beck could win the playoff MVP award as well, but I was serious about the effect it could have on his development.  Well, if Beck continues to have performances like this, I don’t see why the MVP award and an OHL championship would be out of the equation. It’s only one game, but it’s a very encouraging start.

We know Beck has a great 200-foot game to him, but if he can develop as an offensive player, too, his future role with the Canadiens can continue to grow, and he might find himself as a future top-six player. There is still a long way to go before we have that conversation, but a game like this will undoubtedly turn some heads. He got my attention, that’s for sure.