Boston Bruins select John Beecher 30th overall in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

The Boston Bruins have selected American center, John Beecher from the US National Team Development Program with their first round pick at 30th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Day one of the draft provided very few surprises, with New Jersey Devils taking Jack Hughes first overall and the New York Rangers taking Kaapo Kakko second overall, exactly as expected. Only one trade went down with the Philadelphia Flyers moving down three places but gaining an extra second-round pick, whilst the Boston Bruins held onto their 30th pick taking John Beecher.

John Beecher measures in at 6’3″ and 209 lbs even at his tender age of 18 with McKeen’s Hockey stating that he ‘likes to play in front of the opposing goalie and isn’t easily dislodged’. He sounds to have all the makings of the modern-day version of a power forward in the NHL.

Obviously, playing in the US National Team Development Program this past season means being overshadowed, especially given he plays the same position, by first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Jack Hughes.

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However, the Boston Bruins pick still managed to put up very respectable points tallying 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points through 63 games. He also represented the United States at the World Junior Championships, netting 3 goals and an assist across the seven games.

The native of the state of New York has committed to playing NCAA hockey next season with the University of Michigan and honestly this is likely the best proving and development ground for the Boston Bruins’ pick – his size and skill set seems better suited to playing slightly older guys than going and playing junior hockey in Canada, where he’ll be the big man and likely post inflated numbers; great for the ego, not so good for development!

Long term, you’d have to assume that he slips into the line-up exactly where Charlie Coyle currently sits; a solid third-line guy though of course with the makings of a power forward, there’s every chance the Boston Bruins can turn a late first round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft into gold and possibly develop John Beecher into a top-six guy.

All in all, it’s a relatively strong but equal parts safe pick; there were other options still on the board but John Beecher was probably the most Boston-type player there. A smart pick; hopefully he can continue to improve in the NCAA system.